action-drug-rehab.com

Archive for August, 2011

It’s not just some old wives’ tale: the cold weather does make us more prone to colds and flu. Although the cold temperature does not cause these diseases (yes, we know, it’s viruses that do), the fact that people tend to congregate indoors more in winter makes it easier for us to catch other people’s viruses.

Also, a study published in the Oxford Journal of Family Practice showed that the closing of blood vessels near the surface of the skin, which happens when our bodies get chilled, makes us more vulnerable to viruses by depriving our nasal cavity of protective mucous.

But this does not mean colds and flu are unavoidable during the winter season. There are things you can do to keep healthy.

1. Keep warm.If chilling makes us more vulnerable to the cold and flu viruses, help your body protect you by keeping it warm: Wear a hat. Keep your feet dry. Put on the right coat or jacket as protection from the weather.

2. Strengthen your immune system.Why is it that two individuals could be exposed to exactly the same germs but only one of them gets sick? The answer is immunity. This can be from previous exposure to the germs, or it can be from beefing up the immune system by eating and sleeping right.

So get the sleep that you need. If you can’t get all your required eight hours at night, take power naps during lunch breaks and coffee breaks or during your commute. Also, boost the level of vitamin C in your body by eating your fruits and vegetables – the recommended dose is five servings per day. Make sure too that you keep well hydrated. The body needs water to rid itself of wastes, so a well-hydrated body is a healthier body – one that is better able to fight disease.

3. Keep your hands clean.The world is full of germs, and one of the most common ways they enter our body is through our eyes, nose, and mouth. Now in civilized society, it is not common for people to sneeze in others’ faces. But if somebody sneezes on his hand then touches your office doorknob or your phone or your keyboard, they are spreading germs to those things. If you touch these things then touch your face, you are delivering germs to your eyes, nose, and mouth, allowing them easy entrance to your body.

To prevent this scenario, it is wise to have disinfectant wipes with you at all times. Use them to wipe anything in your surrounding that you feel may have been contaminated before you touch them yourself. Keep your hands clean, too, by washing them often for at least 20 seconds each time. This is the most effective way of disinfecting your hands, though if you really can’t wash, alcohol is an acceptable substitute. Finally, avoid touching your face.

Now what if it’s too late and you already have caught the bug? In addition to seeing your doctor, you can also chug up some chicken soup, which, according to recent studies, is really effective in easing cold symptoms. For clogged nose, you can try saline nasal washes; they are a safe and effective way to clear out stuffy mucus. For scratchy throats, try herbal teas with lemon and honey, which has been demonstrated to relieve cough symptoms better than the cough-suppressing drug dextromethorphan.

All these methods have been promoted by grandma for years, and recently, they have also received researchers’ thumbs ups. So why not listen to your elders this time and feel better, healthier, and more virtuous too!

Although the Moleskin bandage has got nothing to do with a mole it is so named because it is made of a kind of fabric that has a soft and piled texture.

This bandage is made of heavy cotton. It has a twill weave which is sheared and brushed on one side so as to form a soft nap. It can however also be produced from synthetics. The Moleskin fabric is used to make garments and adhesive bandages.

Usually the moleskin bandage is used during physical activities so as to prevent blisters. It can also be used to alleviate already developed blisters. The moleskin bandage can be used on any part of the body. They are however used on feet the most.

The bandage is made of a soft, cushiony type of material which creates a layer of padding that is alleviated. This layer surrounds the blister in such a way that the blister is not covered. It is a very common bandage and is almost always found in first aid kits that have first aid supplies.

Moleskin bandages can be bought pre made or pieces of moleskin bandages can be bought to custom make a bandage.

It is not that difficult to make bandage out of un-made moleskin in fact it is very easy. All you need to do is take a small piece of moleskin fold it in half and then using scissors cut a circle out of the middle. Now when you are applying the bandage the blister needs to be placed in the cut out center of the bandage.

The most important is the raised area of the bandage surrounding the blister. This keeps the blister from rubbing on the inside of the shoe or other surface.

This is an adhesive type bandage with one of its sides peeling off to expose a sticky surface which can be stuck to and worn on skin.

You can also use a non-adhesive variety of this bandage. It will then need to be stuck using first aid tape. Fist aid tape is also usually found in all basic first aid kits.

The most important thing to understand is that the center of the blister should always remain open to air. This is regardless of the fact that the moleskin bandaged is stuck via adhesive or taped. This is done to let the blister can breathe and heal. These are actually best practices for healing a blister.