How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold, COVID, or Flu?

By DAVID JONES October 31, 2022 0

On average, 12% of people come down with a cold each year, which doesn't seem to be dropping anytime soon. Those numbers are huge, and using a symptom checker or quick self-diagnosis is not always the best way to diagnose yourself. A cold, COVID, and Flu are three very different diseases with very different symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may wonder what type of disease you have. Cold, Flu, and COVID: these three health conditions sound very similar but have one very important difference: fixed time. It's that time of the year when people start getting sick. Here's a blog on the different symptoms and how they can help you determine what your illness is. Key ways to tell the difference between a cold, COVID, and the Flu. First, cold symptoms tend to be milder than COVID or flu symptoms. Second, colds typically do not result in fever, whereas COVID and the Flu can. Third, colds typically cause a runny or stuffy nose, whereas COVID and the Flu may cause a more severe respiratory illness, with symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing. Finally, colds typically last a few days to a week, whereas COVID and the Flu may last for several weeks or longer. If you are unsure which illness you have, it is always best to consult with a medical professional. What are the symptoms of a Cold? Various viruses, most commonly rhinoviruses, cause the common cold. Treatment is typically focused on relieving symptoms. Cold symptoms typically begin 1–3 days after infection and last 7–10 days. Symptoms typically include: Runny nose Sneezing Sore throat. Other symptoms may include fever, coughing, and fatigue. What are the symptoms of Coronavirus? There are a range of symptoms associated with the coronavirus, which can range from: mild to severe. The most common symptoms include: Fever Coughing Shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and diarrhea. In severe cases, the virus can lead to pneumonia, which can be fatal. What are the symptoms of the Flu? The Flu is a highly infectious viral infection that causes extreme respiratory illness. Symptoms of the Flu include: Fever Chills Body aches Fatigue Headache Dry cough Sore throat. Some people may also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The Flu is usually spread through contact with an infected person's respiratory secretions, such as saliva, mucus, or blood. The best way to prevent the Flu is to get vaccinated every year. How can you avoid getting COVID-19, a cold and the flu? You can take a few simple steps to avoid getting COVID-19, a cold or the flu. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched. These simple steps will help you avoid getting sick and protect those around you. If you're feeling under the weather and facing sleeping issues, get the sleeping pills delivered to your doorsteps from the best sleeping pills website in the USA. We hope this blog post helps you understand the difference between colds, COVID, and the Flu so you can take the appropriate steps.

How Do You Avoid Acid Reflux?

By DAVID JONES October 30, 2022 0

Everyone has struggled with acid reflux at a certain point in their life, and everyone is familiar with the discomfort that comes with it. Acid reflux is a condition in which acidic gastric fluid repeatedly flows backwards into the tube connecting your stomach and mouth (oesophagus). This produces a burning sensation in your chest called heartburn. If it occurs more than twice a week, then you may suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). There are several things that may cause acid reflux, but the most common cause is food that’s high in fat or acidic, like tomatoes, citrus fruits, peppermint and cheese. Most people experience heartburn and acid reflux occasionally. GERD is a severe disease that affects about 22 % of people in the USA. Here are some steps you can take to avoid acid reflux. Avoid Oily and Fatty Foods People suffering from acid reflux are advised to eliminate oily and heavy foods from their diets. There are certain foods that are likely to trigger reflux, including spicy foods, onions, fatty foods, mint, chocolate, alcohol, tea, tomatoes and coffee. You should pay attention to how your body responds to different types of food. Keep Your Body Inclined While Sleeping Keep your head at least 5 to 8 inches higher than your feet. You can do these by using tall bed risers supporting the head of your bed. However, if your wife or roommate objects to this, try using a foam wedge pillow set for your upper body. Never create a wedge by stacking one pillow on top of the other because they cannot provide you with constant support. Eat Slowly When the stomach is full of food, there can be more reflux in the food pipe. If you have the time for this, you may want to try a technique known as “grazing” –eating small meals throughout the day instead of consuming three large meals daily. Don’t Lie Down After Eating When you’re sitting or standing, gravity helps keep gastric acid in the stomach where it should be. Ideally, you should finish eating at least three hours before you lie down to sleep. Also, you should avoid late suppers, naps after lunch and midnight snacks. Drink Less Carbonated Beverages Carbonated drinks are filled with carbon dioxide, acids and bubbles. They might be refreshing to drink, but remember that those bubbles will keep on buzzing in your stomach. These drinks can build pressure inside your stomach. This may push the food in the stomach back up your food pipe (esophagus), causing acid reflux. Check Your Medicines Some medications like tricyclic antidepressants, anti-inflammatory painkillers, and postmenopausal estrogen can relax the sphincter; on the other hand, other drugs such as ibandronate (Boniva), risedronate (Actonel), or alendronate (Fosamax), which are used to increase bone density have the potential to irritate the oesophagus. If you have symptoms like difficulty swallowing or severe pain, kindly consult your doctor to exclude other causes. You may also need medicine to treat acid reflux even as you are making changes to your lifestyle.

5 Mindfulness Activities to Find Calm at Any Age

By DAVID JONES October 27, 2022 0

Mindfulness refers to a mental state reached by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment while peacefully accepting and acknowledging one’s bodily sensations, thoughts, and feelings. It is commonly used as a therapeutic technique to ease stress, anxiety and depression. This practice is gaining popularity as a way to be more engaged and present in life. The fact is that integrating mindfulness activities into your daily routine can be extremely simple, regardless of your age. With a little presence of mind, almost anything you do can turn into an opportunity for mindfulness, whether you’re a child, a teen, or an adult. Today we are going to learn about five mindfulness activities that can help you improve self-control, concentration, and objectivity and reduce stress, anxiety and other mental problems. Mindful Yoga Yoga is an excellent way to achieve mindfulness. There are various types of yoga; however, most forms of this ancient Hindu discipline involve simple mindful movements. Slower practices like Kundalini yoga or Hatha yoga include chanting and meditation, which are perfect for attaining inner peace. Whether you’re a yoga expert or not, you can still perform mindful yoga by being conscious of your movements and sensations during asanas. Instead of focusing on the outcome, you should concentrate on the process of the asana. Breathing Techniques Breathing is the most common technique to focus your mind in the present moment. When you feel frustrated, anxious, or stressed, it’s easy to get entangled in your thoughts and spiral down the black hole. However, breathing techniques like 4-7-8 can help you stay calm and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. There are various other ways to practice mindful breathing, and the most simple technique is to sit straight in a comfortable posture, close your eyes, and concentrate on your breathing pattern. Body Sense Yes! It’s the time to connect with your body. It is common not to notice changes outside or inside the body, whether they are good or bad. Fortunately, a quick routine can help you harmonize with your body. Find a comfortable spot on the floor and lie down. Ensure you are lying on your back. As you rest, start mentally scanning your body from top to bottom. Make sure you concentrate on each body part separately, one at a time. Ask yourself these questions while scanning each body part: Do you sense any discomfort? Is any part sore or tight? Does your body feel strangely hot or cold, considering today’s weather? Then, slowly sit up and reflect after completing the procedure. Gratitude List Making a gratitude list can help promote positivity and improve well-being by reminding you of things that you’re grateful for. Start by adding 5-7 items to your list every day and include them in your schedule to stay consistent. You can write the list just after waking up to kick start your day or write down a few things that you’re thankful or grateful for before lying down in bed at night. Single Tasking A busy mind can’t focus on one thing for a long time. Single-tasking is the ability to direct one’s mind and focus only on one single task while avoiding interruptions until the task is completed. This ensures that your mind stays in the present with all its dimensions and without disruption. Combined with mindfulness, it leads to increased peace, more quality work, less stress and more happiness. If you’re working on the computer, first complete the task you’re given. Close all the tabs that are not related to the project you are working on. This helps create laser focus and free up space in your mind.