Cold and Flu in the Winter

cold and flu

 

What should you do to avoid cold and flu in the winter

December is when infections tend to become prevalent. Here, we look at some ways you can minimize your risk of catching colds and flu.

  • Keep warm- Be prepared to dress warmly when that sudden cold weather sets in, we lose up to 30per cent of our body heat through our heads – so wear a hat.
  • Wash your hands- Germs can be transmitted by physical contact and enter the body when infected hands touch vulnerable parts like our eyes, mouths and noses.
  • Watch the weather- Low cloud, dull and misty conditions tend to bring an increase in germs. Viruses survive longer when the weather is moist.
  • Avoid huddling and heating- Because people are much closer together physically during winter, this makes it easier for infections to pass between people. Crowded trains, department stores bustling with shoppers and people gathering for parties all make catching a cold more likely.
  • Herbal help Zinc and garlic– The mineral zinc is essential to help fight colds and provide a boost to a flagging immune system. Good food sources include meat, oysters, eggs, seafood, tofu, black- eyed peas and wheat germ. Zinc and Vitamin C make a great cold-busting duo.Garlic helps ease chest complaints and small amounts taken daily may also reduce the frequency of colds and flu.
  • Drink Plenty of Water– Doctors recommend we drink about eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy. If you have a cold, being dehydrated makes your mucus drier and thicker and less able to cope against invading bacteria and viruses. If you’ve already caught a cold, drinking plenty of fluids will help flush out the infection.
  • Sleep Soundly– Lack of sleep makes us more prone to infection.
  • Positive Attitude– Moods also affect our ability to fight off infections, and if you feel stressed you are more likely to become ill compared to when you’re feeling buoyant, happy and relaxed.
  • Keep on Moving– Don’t underestimate the importance of regular activity, especially in winter. Apart from keeping our circulation going, regular moderate exercise increases the number of natural killer (NK) cells in our bodies.
  • Take vitamins and probiotics-Taking a daily multivitamin is especially important in the winter when we may be less likely to be eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables, and are also more at risk from infection. Probiotics, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, are ‘friendly’ bacteria in our intestines and increasingly recognized for their importance not only in maintaining a healthy digestive system, but for improving the body’s natural defense mechanisms. Studies have shown that taking probiotic supplements can improve the body’s resistance to bacterial and viral infections.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope that this information will help you to prepare our body to fight this year’s cold and flu season. Remember we are here 7 days a week, if you come down with an unexpected cold and flu. Our team of medical professionals is here ready to help. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to review all the services we offer.

  

 

 

 

Household Cleaning Products

household cleaning products

Consumers may soon have a better idea about the chemicals in their household cleaning products they’re spraying, wiping, and mopping around their homes.

California this month became the first state in the country to require manufacturers of the products to list certain chemicals on labels for household cleaning products. The law, known as the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2017 could bring more transparency to the industry and help consumers know whether products they buy contain chemicals that could harm their health and the environment.

The move comes amid concerns that some household cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that in large quantities could cause health problems. In the short term, these chemicals may cause skin and lung irritation. Some studies have linked regular exposure to long-term health problems like hormone disruption, asthma, and cancer.

Yet the labels don’t always show which ingredients are inside those colorful bottles.

Think your washing machine is one of the cleanest places in your house? Think again. Dirty laundry can fill your washer — and future loads of laundry — with bacteria and viruses. To keep it fresh, run your washer empty with a cup of bleach once a week. To kill germs, wash and dry your laundry at the highest temperature the fabric can stand

The new law requires manufacturers to disclose product ingredients on company websites by Jan. 1, 2020, and on product labels a year later.

Another industry organization, the Consumer Specialty Products Association, wrote in a statement that it “applauds” California Gov. Jerry Brown for signing the act, which “could potentially serve as a national model for other states and major retailers.”

Although the new law only covers the state of California, it will likely prompt manufacturers to include the labels on products shipped to all states. New York is also close to launching industry guidance that requires the disclosure of ingredients in home cleaning products sold in that state.

There is a good chance manufacturers will choose to roll out California-compliant labeling nationwide.

We at On Call Medical Clinic are glad to share this information with you. The complete article was posted on the webmd.com website. We are here for you 7 days a week if you have minor injuries or illnesses when your primary care physician is not available. Our facility has a complete on-site laboratory with a trained medical staff to diagnose your situation. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to view all the services available.

 

Skin Care in the Winter

skin care winter

 

Winter is right around the corner and we all know that this time of the year can wreck havoc on our skin. Healthy skin care is essential to your overall health. We at On Call Skin Care Clinic would like to share some tips that will help you keep your skin healthy during this coming winter.

Cleansing Your Skin

 No matter which product you use, cleansing is a must-follow first step in skincare. This has to be followed through the year irrespective of the season. In winters, you can limit the number of times you wash your face from 3 times to 2 times. You can cleanse your face with cold milk and cotton ball to prevent excessive dryness.

Scrub, Exfoliation is important

Exfoliating your skin with a scrub is important regardless of the season. You may however want to reduce the number of times you scrub your face in the winter. A daily scrubbing might cause abrasion and turn your skin drier. Using a mild exfoliating scrub weekly will normally work best.

Toning to Tighten Your Skin

Always use a mild toner that suits your skin rather than one loaded with chemicals. A harsh toner could disturb your skin’s PH levels. Toning will remove the post-cleansing residual dirt from your face.

Look for Essential Face Packs for the Winter

There are hundreds of ingredients in your kitchen which can help keep your facial skin soft and supple in the harsh cold season. Try some of these.

  • Avocado Face Packs
  • Banana Face Packs
  • Buttermilk Packs
  • Aloe Vera

 Stay Hydrated

 Drink plenty of water since it’s essential to keep your body and skin hydrated in the dry weather. Be sure you always drink plenty of water for your overall health.

Shield Your Skin from the Sun

The harmful UVA and UVB rays that harm your skin still manage to sneak through the clouds. You should always wear a sun screen or block regardless of the season.

We at On Call Skin Care Clinic hope that you enjoyed this information. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to review all the skin care services we offer.

Holiday Tips for n Enjoyable Holiday Season

 

 

Holiday Tips

With the holidays, here and the colder temperatures, there are steps you should take. By doing so you should be ready to enjoy the holidays. You can brighten the holidays by making your health and safety a priority. Here are some helpful steps to take, holiday tips.

  1. Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.
  2. Bundle up to stay dry and warm.Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots.
  3. Manage stress.Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and out of control.
  4. Get Plenty of Sleep, do your best to avoid that late night Christmas wrapping.
  5. Don’t drink and drive or let others drink and drive. Choose not to drink and drive and help others do the same.
  6. Be smoke-free.Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
  7. Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle.Always buckle your children in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to their height, weight, and age. Buckle up every time, no matter how short the trip.
  8. Get your vaccinations.Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives.
  9. Monitor children.Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, and other objects out of children’s reach.
  10. Practice fire safety.Most residential fires occur during the winter months, so don’t leave fireplaces, space heaters, food cooking on stoves, or candles unattended. Have an emergency plan and practice it regularly.
  11. Prepare food safely.Remember these simple steps: Wash hands and surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination, cook foods to proper temperatures and refrigerate foods promptly.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope these holiday tips will help you and your family to have a safe and happy holiday season. Remember when minor accidents or illnesses occur, we at On Call Medical Clinic are here for you 7 days a week. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to review all the services we offer.

 

 

Sodium – Where it may be hiding

sodium

 

Most of us get more than we need. Recommendations from the American Heart Association and the U.S. government range from 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day. If you want to cut back, you need to do more than ease up on the shaker on your table. Watch what you eat. You may be shocked by some of the foods that are high in salt.

Here are some foods you need to think twice about before eating

  • Frozen Foods – they taste great but many are high in sodium.
  • Ready to Eat Cereals – Some of your favorite brands are high as well.
  • Vegetable Juices– They can contain your daily vegetable requirement but have a lot of sodium to go along with that.
  • Canned Vegetables– It’s a good idea to rinse can vegetables well, or look for labels that say, “no salt added”.
  • Packaged Deli Meats– Just look at the salt content on the label and it will shock you.
  • Soup- Soup may warm you up on a cold day but they are normally loaded with a lot of salt
  • Marinades and Flavorings – Some of your favorites may be super salty. For instance, one table spoon of teriyaki sauce has 879 milligrams.
  • Spaghetti Sauce– a half of cup may have as much as 550 plus milligrams.
  • Spicing It Up– Adding spices to an entrée can be an easy way to forego the salt shaker. Just make sure there is no hidden sodium in your selection.
  • Nuts– An ounce of most dry roasted brands have 116 milligrams.
  • Salty Snacks – Most of these snacks including baked or fat free still have a lot of sodium.
  • Prepackaged Foods– Some of your natural foods like rice, pasta, and potatoes are low in sodium. But if you get the convenient all-in-one box and add the flavor packet, your sodium count may just up greatly.
  • Condiments Count – Most of your condiments like ketchup are high in sodium.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope this information was helpful. Please remember when you have a minor injury or sickness, we are here 7 days a week to help. We have complete laboratory facilities to quickly diagnosis your illness. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn about all the medical and skin care services we offer.