Good health/colds and flu
like mackerel, salmon and sardines contain
omega-3 essential fatty acids which support
Some common
whereas paracetamol will not. People with
diabetes should always opt for a sugar-free
your immune system. In fact, as I’ve written
winter viruses
preparation for their symptoms, so if in
previously, many people choose to take doubt, ask your pharmacist.
an omega-3 supplement. Fruits and fruit
l croup: mostly affects young children;
Finally, make sure you are realistic about
juices (although a bit sugary) are a great
characteristic ‘barking’ cough and
what you can do if you are struck down
source of vitamin C, which finds its way into
breathing difficulty, often with wheeze.
with cold or flu. A survey last year of British
your immune system’s ‘white’ blood cells
l rotavirus: affects children and adults;
businesses showed that most bosses and
responsible for fighting infection. Green
symptoms include runny nose, vomiting
colleagues would prefer that anyone who
vegetables like peppers, cauliflower and
then severe diarrhoea.
cabbage also provide plenty of vitamin C.
‘If you have
Certain herbs and spices used in cooking l Flu (influenza): sudden onset of runny
such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nose, fever, muscle ache and cough.
diabetes any
turmeric, ginger and garlic are also of benefit.
Turmeric and ginger are used in Ayurvedic
l Pertussis (whooping cough): highly
illness can make
cold remedies, and garlic has antibacterial
contagious lung infection known as the
properties, so add loads of these to winter
‘100-day cough’.
your blood glucose
stews, curries or hotpots. Vitamin D also has
an important role in boosting your immune In fact, the best time to work on a cold is
levels rise. Colds
system and staving off infection. when you haven’t got one!
and flu can affect
Exercise Tackling your cold
appetite which can
Getting yourself out of breath for 30 minutes But what should we take if we’ve already got
four to five times a week is considered cold and flu? Well, no medicine cures colds
make glucose
moderate exercise. This can be almost or flu but for symptoms like fever, stuffy nose
anything – from jogging to swimming. Within and muscle pain paracetamol and ibuprofen control tricky’
limits, regular exercise can make you less prone can help. There are also various drinks,
to infection. Other beneficial effects include syrups and sprays which can also help with was ill stayed at home and recovered, rather
improved fitness and a positive effect on mood. symptoms. For instance, many of my patients than come back early and put others at risk.
find sinus pain relief from pseudoephedrine. In cases of swine flu, people should stay at
Supplements and herbs It’s really about what makes you feel better. home for a week.
Echinacea may be the gold standard herb for One study from years ago compared a Whatever you do, if you do get the
Coughs and sneezes
boosting your immune system. It is available popular codeine-based cough syrup with sniffles remember to catch it, bin it, kill it –
...
from health food shops and chemists, and is chicken soup and they were found to be that is the best way to prevent the spread of
usually taken for no longer than two weeks at equally effective in making sufferers feel cold and flu germs. n
a time. The evidence on echinacea is patchy, better – so each to their own. There’s really
but one study at least found that it reduced no proven remedy. Ask Dr Ayan
the symptoms of a cold. However, there are certain drinks which
Do you have
can make matters worse when you are
a question on
Keep warm and get some sun congested, like milk. Always stick to clear
diabetes or
Humidity protects your mucous membranes fluids as much as possible and avoid
general health
against attack from viruses, so try to avoid alcohol altogether.
that you’d like
the drying effects of too much central heating. If you have diabetes, remember that
to ask Dr Ayan?
Sunlight, or just being out in natural daylight, any illness can make your blood glucose
Please email
can improve your mood in wintertime – levels rise. Cold and flu themselves can
editor@
possibly in part because we absorb vitamin D affect appetite which can make blood
sweetmagazine.
better, which can benefit mood. glucose control tricky. Nausea and vomiting
org or write to Dr Ayan Panja,
when you have diabetes can be serious
c/o Sweet Magazine, Po Box 6337,
Avoid stress and refined sugar symptoms reflecting poor glucose control.
Bournemouth Bh1 9eh. Dr Ayan isn’t
This may be easier said than done, but both If in doubt, seek medical advice, especially
able to reply to all letters but will
affect the function of your immune system. with persistent vomiting, diarrhoea or a
answer a selection each issue. Please
steady fever of over 38 degrees. Try to
supply your name and address; we will
Beyond this, basic hygiene, such as drink plenty of water. Also, do check the
S
tock
not publish them. Please note: writing
handwashing with normal soap and keeping labels to see whether any over-the-counter
to Dr Ayan is no substitute for seeing
surfaces clean, is key in avoiding the spread of flu medicines contain sugar. For instance,
your own healthcare team.
S
hutter
cold and flu germs. some decongestants can raise blood glucose,
Sweet Magazine 49
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