Leave a cold and it will get well in seven days. Treat it and it’s going to take a week to get cured. Still, most of us do rely on over-the-counter cold medicines to get fast relief from cold and cold like symptoms.  Since, cold takes a week to get well on its own, over the counter medicines aim at providing symptomatic relief. These symptoms are: body ache, headache, running nose, sore throat and nasal congestion. Let’s find what’s there in your cold medicine? Paracetamol All of us have experienced body aches with cold. Hence, all cold relievers—over the counter or prescription will have a pain relieving ingredient in it, mostly in the form of paracetamol which is one of

Now, the weather god has decided to show small mercies on us but the weather is not as gentle as it looks. In fact, it is deceivingly cold as evenings and mornings become colder and days are warm. No wonder, this time of the year so many people are forced to avail sick leaves. The top five illnesses that keep the doctors busy as the weather changes from cold to warm are sniffles, more sniffles (allergic rhinitis and asthma) gastro-intestinal disturbances, chicken pox, joint pain and the ever present viral fever. 1. Respiratory distress: Sudden sneezing jags; recurrent sniffles and watery eyes mean that you are suffering from allergic rhinitis. This condition impersonates symptoms of

Recurrent cough and cold could be due to sudden whether changes and pollution, and are normal and bearable. But sometimes your body has a real tough time warding off the cold viruses which might even lead to acute respiratory illness. Before taking recourse to the medications try out these simple remedies to cure cold the natural way. This typical condition, in a mild or severe form, doesn’t leave anyone untouched. At times, it can be debilitating and if not treated on time could lead to bad cough, fever and acute respiratory infection. Best if you have simple remedies ready right at home. First of all, avoid catching cold  Be well clad Try to stay away from people with cold and

    Just like humans get flu, pigs get it too, hence the name ‘swine flu’. In the past only humans who were in direct contact with pigs could get infected with this virus, but in the present outbreak the virus has mutated which allows it to pass from human to human with reduced virulence.   Symptoms are similar to influenza like condition— • Sore throat • Chills • Body ache • Severe headache • Coughing • Weakness Every year the change of weather is followed by increased episodes of flu and flu like conditions. This year there is a new bug doing the rounds of the town called H1N1 virus or swine flu. D r Sushila Kataria, senior Internal Consultant with Paras Hospitals,

   Why flu flourishes in winter has baffled scientists for long? Finally, they have found the answer, which lies in the flu virus itself. It is more stable and stays in the air longer when air is cold and dry, the exact conditions for much of the flu season. WHO has also warned that the episodes of swine flu will surge in winter. Flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. The virus enters the body’s airway through mucous membranes in the nose, eyes or mouth. Symptoms of flu are much like the common cold—body aches, cough, fatigue, headache,, hot and cold sweats. How can I safeguard myself from flu? • Since flu viruses are often transmitted by way of

    Seasonal change and flu go hand in hand. With change of weather there will be increased incidences of sneezes, sniffles, cold and cough, more sick leaves and lost work days. However, you just don’t need to endure this year after year, because we’ve talked to holistic health experts on the best natural supplements to bolster your immunity. By now, if you’ve been reading this space, you must be aware of the terms like viruses and bacteria. The easiest way to outsmart these nasty bugs is to bolster your immunity. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts in this process. This involves eating right, sleeping well, and staying active along with managing stress. However, there are many

We come across more raw noses and sneezes in winter. Yet cold weather does not cause colds. Cold viruses thrive better in colder temperatures, when there is less humidity in the weather. Adults can have two to four colds per year, whereas preschoolers can have it eight to ten times a year. While colds are normal, they can weaken your immune system to the point that other, more serious, germs can take hold in your body. The cold vs  The flu The common cold and the flu are both respiratory infections. Generally a cold comes on gradually, and the flu strikes suddenly — you can feel fine in the morning and lousy by afternoon. The classic cold symptoms — congestion, sore throat,

  It is a misnomer to suppose that cold weather is the harbinger of colds. It is not the weather that causes colds, although, most colds are caught in the fall or winter. This is so because most cold viruses thrive better in colder temperatures, when there is less humidity in the weather. Actually, the common cold is an infection of upper respiratory tract. It is relatively harmless, though it does not feel harmless when you suffer from it. The most common symptoms of cold include head congestion, nasal congestion, sore throat, coughing, headache, sneezing, and watery eyes. Children may develop a low-grade fever, but this is rare in adults. Most colds clear up on their own in eight to