Cold & Flu Prevention

June 17th 2016

Stay one step ahead this cold and flu season.

6 ways to stop the common cold

  • Eat a Healthy Diet – A diet high in fibre including lots of fresh fruit & vegetables.

  • Exercise – People who exercise are prone to less colds than those that don't work out.

  • Get a Vaporiser -The flu virus thrives in dry air environments.

  • Get Enough Sleep – 8 or more hours if you can.

  • Wash Your Hands – Soap & water can kill the germs that make you sick.

  • Get a Flu Shot – If you are susceptible to colds the flu shot can lessen the symptoms.

There are over 200 types of viruses that can cause the common cold and because new cold viruses constantly develop, the body never builds up resistance against all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. Viral infections are most prevalent in the autumn and winter months when people are in closer contact with each other, as more time is spent indoors, and so are more likely to infect each other. In fact, children in preschool and high school can have six to 12 colds per year while adults typically have two to four colds per year.

Symptoms of the common cold include – coughing, a sore throat, sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion. If you suffer from any of these symptoms you should drink plenty of fluids. Water is  the best medicine, to help replace those fluids lost from sweating and having a runny nose. Make sure you get plenty of rest and eat a healthy diet which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Probiotics (good gut bacteria) play an important role in your body's immune function. Prebiotics help probiotics do their job. Probiotics can be found in foods such as yoghurt, kefir, tempeh, kimchi and miso. Eating probiotics several times a week can improve the body's immune response to colds and infections. Prebiotics can be found in leeks, raw garlic, onions, beans, lentils, chickpeas and asparagus. Regularly eating prebiotics several times a week can help maintain probiotic bacteria in your gut.

We highly recommend Inner Health Plus probiotic capsules and powder as a quality source of probiotic.

Vaccination also offers effective protection against especially dangerous influenza. As flu viruses are always changing it is necessary for the flu vaccine to be given each year. From April 2016 the flu shot will be available from GP surgeries.

If you have any questions please drop in and speak to one of our qualified staff or pharmacists. We have Vaporisers, Probiotics, Cold & Flu Medicines and preventative vitamins and nutritional supplements on hand to prevent and ease your cold symptoms this winter.