I Got The Flu...Am I Dying? #fluseason #coldandflu

Ummmmm No, you are not dying !
Do you need to go to the Emergency room now! No!
Only unless you are so sick that you can not keep down liquids, you are not going to the bathroom anymore ( peeing at least once in 8+ hours, your pee is dark, you are dehydrated now possibly) By liquids I don't mean alcoholic kind...yes some have to ask.
Your fever will not go away even after taking Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or Ibuprofen (Motrin) and waiting at least an hour for it to work. It's ok to run a fever... It's your body's way of trying to fix itself.
Please at least try to help yourself, you don't have to prove a fever to the ER nurse, she will just roll her eyes at you if you did not take anything at all. That goes for those little kiddos too. Nothing makes me want to roll my eyes at you if you did not try and medicate your child.... They feel like poop, give them something to make them feel better.... Be a parent please ( off my soapbox..sorry about that)

The flu is a virus... True influenza is a respiratory kind of viral bug... Nothing we can give you will make it go away ...once you have influenza of any type.. You are gonna feel like crap for about 1-2 weeks......yes I said weeks.... See why prevention of the flu is everything ! It is spread by droplets..floating around in the air once someone infected with flu coughs,sneezes and spreads those droplets to you, a doorknob,shopping cart or anywhere those nasty drops land.
Antiviral meds are not that effective...have yucky side effects (like vomiting...fun) and cost more $$. Would I take them...NO ... Would my medical coworkers take them...usually they say no way too....that's gotta tell you something...and never would I give to my kids or grand-kids.

What are the symptoms of the Flu (influenza) ?

• Fever-- we have been seeing very high fevers lately...like 103-106 high
• Comes on suddenly
• Chills - shaking feelings like you are "freezing to death"
• Headaches
• Muscle and body aches
• Dizziness
• Runny nose,coughing,respiratory symptoms ..worse than a common cold
• Extreme fatigue ,tiredness
• Lack of appetite
• Most people have all or a few of these symptom, but they all will have a fever.

What do I do to prevent or keep from getting the flu?

• WASH YOUR HANDS!!! Wash your hands, wash your hands! #1 thing proven to help prevent!
• Stay home during higher flu season times... The ER and Dr offices are full of flu patients right now.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing! Don't spray your droplet mess to everyone.
• Don't share eating utensils or cups with others, even your family.
• Get a flu vaccine early in the fall,when the are first available.
• Eat a healthy diet ... This goes a long way to preventing illness's
• Take a good probiotic daily! Keep you gut healthy...80% of you immune system lives in your tummy!
• Preventative essential oils have been proven to help with seasonal threats and support of your immune health, educate yourself on these.

What can I do at home to feel better? Or help my family to feel better?

• Rest-- sleep it off, your body needs to repair itself while you sleep.
• Drink lots and lots of fluids...juices,waters,pedialyte type liquids,Popsicle's ,frozen fruits or ices soothe.
• Wash those hands...don't spread it
• Medicate to help the symptoms- Acetaminophen or Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Motrin for fevers and discomfort. Over the counter flu type meds (Theraflu) can help, you can ask the pharmacist for suggestions.
• Hot tea with lemon and honey does help.
• Chicken soup ( yes it does help to soothe the savage beast)

When do you call the doctor or go to the ER?

• High fever with a rash all over
• Trouble breathing
• Skin or lips have bluish appearance
• Not drinking enough or peeing any for >8 + hours
• Lethargic or very sleepy, can't wake person
• Confused

Do you have a cold or the flu?? Her is how to tell.....

Stay well! and Wash those Hands Please!

Winter Safety Series: Your Health - "10 Tips For Winter Health Survival" #health #wellness

Shorter days means more time spent indoors during these winter months. It is just as important to take care of your own personal health and wellness since winter germs are at their highest. Add in the weather threats, with frigid temperatures,snow and ice and we are all set for winter misery!
Taking extra steps to boost that immune system this time of year can go a long long way to keeping you feeling good enough to fight off seasonal threats. When your health is optimal your personal survival skills are at top form. Your energy levels are higher,risks of falls or injury are lower since you have prepared ahead for any threat Mother Nature or your clumsy feet can throw at you.

My top 10 tips for "Winter Health Survival" are preventative measures that we all need to fight the winter yucks!

1. Wash your dang hands! So important to not spread your germy germs all over the place. Use soap and water when possible, not all germs are killed by hand sanitizers. Cover your mouth/nose when coughing and sneezing too, nobody wants your germs
2. Sleep: your body needs sleep to reboot and repair.This is an essential, try some lavender essential oil to help you sleep, rub on the bottoms of your feet or spray on your pillow...it works!
3. Water: hydration is key, nobody gets enough water or good fluids,so when you do get sick you are starting off low already. It's hard to catch up when you are ill. Soda is not hydration! Avoid sugary sweet drinks, these will not hydrate you well, try flavored waters if you can't drink water plain.
4. Probiotics- take care of your gut, 80% of your immune system is in your gut! Probiotics daily are very important during the winter,even children can take them. I have noticed a huge difference in my wellness and immune system after I started taking a probiotic daily.
5. Eat well: ( or at least better) -fruits, veggies think color of the rainbow. Stay away from processed foods and sugary sweets, these will only leave your body craving nutrients.
6. Move your butt! Simply getting off the couch and moving somehow,even walking around the house or block. Exercise will help keep your core strong to help prevent falls, increases endorphins ( feel good chemicals in your brain) and help ward off the winter blues.
7. Prevent falls: in addition to exercise that strengthens your core muscles, make sure to check your surrounding areas for potential situations that might lead to falls. Loose throw rugs, items in the floor you might trip on, toys in the floor, lack of proper lighting, steps with loose carpet or wood, railings that are loose or not secure etc. An few moments checking around your house, yard and/or work environments might prevent you or someone else from a nasty fall. If you need assistance, such as a cane or walker please use it, don't be to proud to ask for help. 
8. Be Prepared: Ahead of time, educate yourself on potential dangers in the winter weather, know the signs and symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite, along with carbon monoxide poisoning signs/symptoms.
9. Supplements: during the winter our diets may need additional supplements of vitamins and minerals along with other crucial nutrients. Add a good multivitamin, B-complex and Omega 3 supplements to your arsenal of wellness helpers. Ask your doctor if you are not sure what to take.
10. Aromatherapy : Scent or aroma has a powerful effect on the brain and the body. Many essential oils can help ward off seasonal threats, help you sleep and elevate your mood. Use an essential oil diffuser in your house, especially in your bedroom, to help keep your family and yourself well. We have several in our house, a large capacity diffuser in our living room/dining room open space with a protective essential oil blend diffusing all the time. All of our bedrooms also have EO diffusers in them, so we can diffuse oils at bedtime to help us sleep. Check out my page here to learn more about which essential oils my family uses. 

I hope some of these info-graphics below are helpful and give you more information on a safe and healthy winter! 

Walk like a penguin when walking on ice

Learn the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning!

Here are some tips for you!

Know the signs of frostbite!

Hypothermia! Killer Cold!

 

Please promise to be safe this winter and stay well as you can, as an ER Nurse we love company but hate to see patients in such misery during the cold winter months, plus we don't want your germs either....lol Stay tuned tomorrow for my last post in this series "Winter Safety Series- Keeping Your Pets Safe and Warm" , I will share tips on how to keep your precious little/and big fur-babies safe this winter too!
Until then, stay warm!!