There are many reasons as to why you could be experiencing illness on a regular basis. You may have a weakened immune system, may have picked up a common cold, flu, or even food poisoning. Depending on the time of the year the common cold and flu can spread like wildfire throughout your community and when there are multiple strands it can continue for months on end. These nasty viruses have the ability to impact your work, social life, and ability to exercise regularly. The good news is that you can learn about when it is necessary to see a doctor for these illnesses and when you can rely on remedies to ease your symptoms at home. Let's start with the most common illnesses and when you should see a doctor about them.
A sore throat, coughing, and sneezing are all normal symptoms of the common cold. However, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following:
All of these symptoms could be signs of a sinus infection, allergies, or even pneumonia so it is best that if you are experiencing any of them that you make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
When you have the flu you are likely to feel lethargic and muscle soreness within your body. You may also experience vomiting, nausea, headaches, chills, and fever. It is best to seek medical attention when:
Common symptoms of food poisoning are similar to that of the flu. The most important thing to watch out for when you have food poisoning is any sign of dehydration. If you can't keep fluids down or have dry mouth you need to call a doctor or go to the ER. Other signs that prompt immediate medical attention include the following:
If you have determined that medical attention isn't necessary, here are some remedies you can have on hand at home to help ease your symptoms. You may be surprised as you could already have them in your kitchen.
If you find yourself getting sick frequently, you can make changes to your diet such as adding in multivitamins and eating whole foods to strengthen your immune system. Regular exercise will also promote detoxification of the body, ridding yourself of harmful bacteria and increasing your metabolism. Remember to stay hydrated, rest well, and seek medical attention when experiencing any of the symptoms discussed above.
The information in this article was not provided by a medical doctor and should not be used to replace the advice, care, diagnosis or treatment from a medical doctor, certified personal trainer, therapist, dietitian, or nutritionist.
