How to fight off colds and the flu.

By Dr. Julie Anne Chinnock

The sneezing season is fast approaching. Understanding how bugs are passed around and what you can do to avoid them is key to surviving this nasty time of year.

Colds and the flu are caused by viruses. These viruses usually enter the body when you come into contact with someone who is infected. Germs in saliva or mucous droplets from moist breath can travel from one person to another through talking, sneezing, coughing, or shaking hands, which then come into contact with the mouth or nose.

Both the flu and a cold are viral infections, but with very different symptoms. Knowing the difference between the two can be important to your specific health care needs.

Arm yourself for the fight

• Some studies show that smokers are more likely to get the flu than non-smokers, so quitting smoking may keep you healthier.
  
• Avoid others who are sick.
  
• Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after handling money, being in public places or around others who are ill.
  
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
  
• Keep the air in your home or work environment moderately cool.
  
• After potential exposure, take 1 gram of vitamin C twice a day (or to bowel tolerance).
  
• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends flu shots for the following:
  
  • Children aged 6–59 months
    
  • Pregnant women
    
  • People 50 years of age and older
    
  • People with chronic medical conditions
    
  • Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
    
  • People in contact with individuals who are high risk for complications from the flu
    
  • Out-of-home caregivers of children less than six months of age
    
  • Healthcare workers
  
  
  
• Medications, like Tamiflu can be taken to help alleviate flu symptoms. Tamiflu must be taken within the first 48 hours that symptoms occur and while symptoms continue. Note, Tamiflu is not effective in treating a cold.

Feel better, faster

• The best treatment for a cold or flu is rest and fluids. Drinking fluids keeps you hydrated and helps loosen phlegm and other secretions.
  
• Avoid caffeinated beverages, which tend to dehydrate the body.
  
• Rest is very important. Sleep gives your body energy to fight off the infection and allows it to produce immune enhancing cells.
  
• Avoid simple sugar(s) and eat a light diet.
  
• Warm salt-water gargles are useful in relieving a sore throat. Use one teaspoon salt to one cup water, swish and spit out the solution.
  
• Using zinc (gluconate) lozenges or intranasal spray short-term for colds and the flu within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms has been shown to shorten the duration of the cold.

And last, but not least, chicken soup with vegetables has been shown to be beneficial for those with colds and other respiratory symptoms. This may be due to improving hydration, accelerating mucosal clearance, or possibly by killing off microorganisms themselves. Studies have shown that homemade soup is more effective, so why not make a batch today?

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For more information on Tamiflu, call 1-877-536-8162 or visit http://www.onlinepharmaciescanada.com/.

Flomax

Why is this drug prescribed?

Flomax is used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, a condition technically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.


When the body needs to urinate it's the prostate gland and the urethra (the duct that drains the bladder) that work together. But if the gland becomes enlarged, it can squeeze the urethra, complicating the flow of urine. This can cause difficulty in starting urination, a weak flow, and the need to urinate urgently or more often. Instead of shrinking the prostate, Flomax relaxes the muscle around it, freeing the flow of urine and decreasing urinary symptoms.

What are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Many symptoms of BPH stem from obstruction of the urethra and gradual loss of bladder function, which results in incomplete emptying of the bladder. The symptoms of BPH vary, but the most common ones involve changes or problems with urination, such as:

• a hesitant, interrupted, weak stream
  
• urgency and leaking or dribbling
  
• more frequent urination, especially at night

The size of the prostate does not always determine how severe the obstruction or the symptoms will be. Some men with greatly enlarged glands have little obstruction and few symptoms while others, whose glands are less enlarged, have more blockage and greater problems.

Does Flomax have any side effects?

• Most common: Headache; dizziness; lightheadedness; feeling of a whirling motion; weakness; diarrhea; back pain; drowsiness; runny nose; increased cough; nausea; abnormal ejaculation
  
• Most severe: Vision changes, postural hypotension
  
• Other: Sleeplessness; changes in sex drive

What precautions should I take before using Flomax?

Before using Flomax, tell your doctor about any of the following:

• If you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription medicine or dietary supplements (such as cimetidine or warfarin)
  
• If you have known or suspected cancer of the prostate
  
• If you have severe liver function problems
  
• If you have any other medical conditions

Online Pharmacies Canada, a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC Q37),offers long term prescription drugs for low cost canadian online pharmacy prices. Online Pharmacies Canada facilitates the review of your prescription drugs and your general health. We forward all prescriptions to affiliated CIPA certified licensed Canada pharmacies to be filled. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all discount canadian prescriptions.



For more information, call 1-877-536-8162 or visit http://www.onlinepharmaciescanada.com/.

Lexapro

As a member of the group of prescription drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Lexapro has been shown to effectively relieve symptoms for both depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

How does Lexapro work?

Lexapro helps to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the supply of a chemical messenger in the brain called serotonin. Lexapro appears to relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin with minimal effect on many of the other chemicals in the brain.

How do selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors work?

Mounting research shows that people with depression and anxiety have an imbalance of the brain's neurotransmitters. These are chemicals in the brain that allow nerve cells to communicate. One of these neurotransmitters is serotonin. An imbalance in serotonin may be an important factor in the development of depression and anxiety. Serotonin is released from one nerve cell and passed to the next. In the process, some of the serotonin released is reabsorbed by the first nerve cell. SSRIs, like Lexapro, block the reabsorption of serotonin into the first nerve cell. It is this blocking action that causes an increased amount of serotonin to become available at the next nerve cell. This is how SSRIs affect the balance of serotonin in the brain.

What causes depression and anxiety?

The causes of depression and anxiety are not always clear. Depression may be caused by an event or for no apparent reason at all. Genes may also play a role in not providing your brain with enough serotonin. As for anxiety, research suggests that environmental and genetic factors (if there is a family history of GAD) may make a person more likely to develop the disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder may also be caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain - in particular, dopamine and serotonin, which are believed to regulate mood and behavior.

Symptoms of depression (may differ person to person):

• persistent depressed or irritable mood
  
• lack of pleasure in activities
  
• a sudden change in weight
  
• change in sleep habits
  
• agitation or restlessness
  
• constant fatigue
  
• feelings of worthlessness
  
• frequent thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (again, may differ person to person):

• persistent worry and tension that is much worse than the anxiety most people experience from time to time
  
• an exaggerated or unfounded state of worry and anxiety, often about such matters as health, money, family, or work
  
• unable to relax and may startle easily
  
• fatigue
  
• headaches
  
• muscle tension

How will I know Lexapro is working?

In clinical studies, many patients treated with Lexapro began to feel better within 1 or 2 weeks, although the full effect may take 4 to 6 weeks. However, even if you start feeling better do not stop taking Lexapro unless otherwise stated by your doctor; your symptoms could return or worsen.

What are the side effects?

Most of the side effects experienced by people taking Lexapro are mild to moderate and disappear with continued treatment. The medication is generally well tolerated but side effects have been known to include:

• nausea
  
• insomnia
  
• problems with ejaculation
  
• somnolence
  
• increased sweating
  
• fatigue
  
• decreased libido
  
• anorgasmia

If side effects persist or worsen while taking Lexapro, contatct your doctor immediately.

Online Pharmacies Canada, a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC Q37),offers long term prescription drugs for low cost canadian online pharmacy prices. Online Pharmacies Canada facilitates the review of your prescription drugs and your general health. We forward all prescriptions to affiliated CIPA certified licensed Canada pharmacies to be filled. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all discount canadian prescriptions.


For more information, call 1-877-536-8162 or visit http://www.onlinepharmaciescanada.com/.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition in which the airways are extra sensitive, which causes them to react by narrowing, making breathing more difficult. It can occur in people of any age, but usually strikes for the first time during childhood.

The first signs of asthma are often a cough or slight shortness of breath, especially after exercise. Other common signs are wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. The symptoms of asthma can be quite similiar to to the symptoms of allergic reactions, bronchitis, or postnasal drip, so your doctor may want to perform tests to rule out other breathing problems before beginning treatment for asthma.

A key component to helping you manage your asthma is medication. There are two main types of medication you can take for asthma : anti - inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators. Anti-inflammatory medications help to prevent asthma attacks by reducing inflammation, swelling, and mucus in the airways. This prevents symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and breathlessness. Bronchodilators relieve the spasms in the muscles surrounding the airways that bring on sudden symptoms. They are to be taken after an asthma attack has started; they relax the tight muscles that constrict the breathing passages allowing air to move more easily while breathing.

Some common asthma medications include:

• Advair Diskus
  
• Spiriva
  
• Combivent
  
• Serevent
  
• Flovent
  
• Salbutamol
  
• Singulair
  

There are many things that can trigger an asthma attack, and the vary from person to person. Asthma triggers fall into two main catagories: allergic triggers and non-allergic triggers.

Allergic triggers can include:

• pollen
  
• dust mites
  
• mold
  
• animal dander
  
• certain foods

Non-allergic triggers can include:

• tobacco smoke and smoke from fires
  
• fumes from perfumes and chemicals
  
• weather conditions (high humidity, cold air)
  
• emotional situations (anxiety, strees, crying)
  
• infections (colds, chest infections)
  
• certain medications (ASA, some eye drops, some blood pressure pills)
  
• exercise

Sometimes your asthma may require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor or visit the emergency room if:

• you have a severe asthma attack
  
• you experience chest pains
  
• you begin to cough and can't stop
  
• your oral temperature rises above 38° C (100° F) during an asthma attack

Online Pharmacies Canada, a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC Q37),offers long term prescription drugs for low cost canadian online pharmacy prices. Online Pharmacies Canada facilitates the review of your prescription drugs and your general health. We forward all prescriptions to affiliated CIPA certified licensed Canada pharmacies to be filled. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all discount canadian prescriptions.


For more information, call 1-877-536-8162 or visit http://www.onlinepharmaciescanada.com/.