Tag: immune system

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Here are 20 ways to take care of yourself right now.@EverydayHealth

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Stick to paracetemol, coronavirus patients recovering at home told

Sick? Stick to panadol, experts advise.

If you’re looking for relief from coronavirus symptoms, take paracetamol rather than ibuprofen, and avoid non-evidence-based treatments being promoted on social media, health experts recommend.

Australian doctors typically treat patients with a fever – one of the key symptoms of COVID-19 – with the painkiller paracetamol, often sold as Panadol.

Paracetamol provides quick relief from symptoms and is relatively safe.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/stick-to-paracetemol-coronavirus-patients-recovering-at-home-told-20200316-p54adt.html

 

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Tips to help comfort and protect your child:@ClevelandClinic

cleveland virus child
How to Talk to Your Child About Coronavirus
Tips to help comfort and protect your child
health.clevelandclinic.org

As the rates of coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to rise, schools across the country are closing in an effort to help protect children and their families.

And with all of the disruption and talk about COVID-19, it’s bound to cause alarm, worry or confusion in some children. That’s why it’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your child about everything they might be hearing and seeing – especially if they’re seeing it on TV or hearing it from other people.

“Everyone is talking about coronavirus, it’s everywhere you look,” says Kate Eshleman, PsyD. “And if we’re seeing it so prominently, that means our kids are too and they might not understand it all – and that can be scary for them.”

Although it might not seem like a big deal, Dr. Eshleman urges parents to sit down with their children to explain COVID-19 in a way that they’ll understand. It doesn’t need to be a super in-depth conversation either, but listening to them and giving them a chance to ask questions can help children cope and better understand.

Dr. Eshleman gives these tips for having a conversation about COVID-19 with your kids:

  • Ask open-ended questions. Start by asking your child what he or she knows about coronavirus. They may have heard comments from friends or overheard an adult conversation about it, but they might not fully understand it. This can cause kids to share something that might not be true or repeat misinformation, which can lead to more confusion. Also be sure to ask your child how he or she feels when they hear all the news about coronavirus. This way you can reassure them if they express feelings of fear or worry. If your child is too young and can’t comprehend it all, it’s a good time to discuss and encourage good hygiene practices.
  • Explain the truth in way that your child will understand. You’ll need to explain things slowly and carefully and use words that won’t cause panic or more confusion. If a child doesn’t understand the term “virus” or can’t comprehend “coronavirus” you might try explaining that certain germs are making people sick and that everyone wants to avoid those germs. Remember to keep it in perspective and control the level of uncertainty.
  • Discuss the importance of good hygiene. If you haven’t already talked to your kids about good hand hygiene – now is the time to do it. Explain that it’s important to wash your hands, use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and not to touch your face, especially with unclean hands. Explaining that they can help prevent catching the virus (or passing it onto their friends) by practicing good hygiene can give them a sense of control, which can ease anxiety.
  • Tread carefully with media. Try to watch, listen or read coverage of COVID-19 with your child so you know what message is being portrayed and can help explain – or turn it off if the message is causing fear. Also be aware that social media is filled with news about the virus, so setting a time limit for scrolling is a good idea.
  • Remind them they can always come to you with questions. Keep an open and honest relationship with your child about COVID-19. No one can predict exactly how this virus will evolve, but keeping tabs about how your child is feeling in the coming days or weeks is important. Explain that you’re always there to talk or answer any questions they have.
  • Offer reassurance. Explain to your child that lots of doctors, nurses and healthcare workers are working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy. It’s important for children (and adults too!) to know and understand that people are helping each other at a time where things feel a little uncertain. Reassure your child that everything that is happening (whether it’s school closing, social distancing or being in the hospital) is to stop or help prevent people from getting sick.

“Children are intuitive and pick up on more than you think they do,” says Dr. Eshleman. “They can sense when adults are talking in whispers or being hush-hush about something. They’re also good at sensing fear or anxiety in adults, which in turn can make them feel that way too.”

Children have limited life experience, so talking to them and showing that they matter can help them understand and feel secure.

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How does breaking a sweat boost immunity?@ClevelandClinic

cleveland break sweat

Cleveland Clinic
@ClevelandClinic

 

You know exercise builds muscles, strengthens bones, keeps your heart healthy and your mind sharp. But it also does something that you might not think much about: It helps keep your immune system — your internal defenses against infection — in tip-top shape.

If you take time for some physical exertion each day, it helps get your body ready to attack bacteria, viruses and toxins that can sneak in and make you sick.

But how much exercise is effective? Do too little or too much, and it won’t have the best effect on your immune system.

Clinical immunologist  Leonard Calabrese, DO, answers common questions about how exercise can impact your immunity and how to use your workouts to shut out a world of would-be invaders.

Q: How does breaking a sweat boost immunity?

A: If you exercise moderately on a regular basis, it tunes up the immune system in many ways. It enhances your broad-based defenses against viral infections, such as those causing upper respiratory infections.

Working out regularly also reduces the risk of many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory illnesses and metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.

Q: How much exercise do you need?

A: Fortunately, you don’t have to push yourself to the limit to rev up your immune system. In fact, your immune system needs less of a workout than you get with your average cardio routine.

Focus on getting 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise, five days a week, and your immune system will thank you.

Q: What types of exercise are most helpful?

A: Moderate exercises, including biking or walking briskly in your neighborhood, are good ways to get your blood flowing. Swimming is also a good option for non-weight-bearing exercise for your joints.

Also try mind-body exercises such as Tai-Chi, Qi Gong and yoga, which are all options that help keep your joints flexible. These exercises also reduce chronic stress, which in itself is a powerful immune booster. These exercises can also help alleviate osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia symptoms.

Q: Can too much exercise set your immune system back?

A: Yes, though, the level to which it can slow your system down is still up for debate.

Research shows that exercising for more than 1.5 hours without refueling your body or giving it enough time to recover suppresses your immune responses for up to a few days. During that time, your cortisol levels rise, your white blood cell count drops and you’re more likely to develop a respiratory infection.

This problem usually affects elite athletes, such as marathon runners, most.

On the flip side, staying sedentary also increases your risk of infection, inflammation and chronic disease.

Q: Can exercise make an illness worse?

A: Yes, it can. This is a complex issue, but I like to tell my patients to do a “neck check.” If your symptoms are mostly of a mild cold without fever or lower respiratory symptoms, such as a productive cough, wheezing or shortness of breath, mild exercise can actually reduce congestion and may make you feel better.

If your symptoms are primarily in your lungs or you have a significant fever its better to rest until things settle down. Regardless, good hydration is important.