Swine Flu Facts

Most of us have heard about the swine flu outbreak in Mexico that has killed dozens, and now we are hearing about reports of swine flu cases in the United States. As reports of swine flu infection continue to rise, we can not help but be alarmed. The World Health Organization even called the swine flu outbreak in Mexico a “public health emergency of international concern.” What is swine flu? How do we protect ourselves from being infected with swine influenza? How is it transmitted? These are just some of the questions that are playing in our heads right now.  So here are some quick facts about swine flu:

Swine flu, or swine influenza, is a disease that affects the respiratory system; it is caused by the Orthomyxoviruses or a certain strain of the type A influenza virus. Although  endemic in pigs, Orthomyxoviruses can be transmitted to humans. Those who are in contact with pigs with the virus are most likely to get the disease.  There are also cases of human-to-human transmission, which was the case in Mexico.  The severity of swine influenza in humans could vary: it could be mild, or it could be severe and could lead to death.

A person who has swine flu can infect other people through coughing and sneezing. Experts also believe that it is possible to be infected just by touching a contaminated surface. The symptoms of swine flu are very much like that of the common influenza: cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, headache, and chills. Diarrhea and vomiting also can be experienced. Swine flu can lead to pneumonia and respiratory failure, which can lead to death.

Experts recommend antiviral drugs like oseltamivir or zanavimir as treatment for swine flu. Antiviral drugs work by keeping the virus from reproducing inside the body. Antiviral drugs can be most effective when taken by the patient 48 hours after symptoms are experienced.

Beat Stress

Stress can hit us anytime because we are constantly exposed to different kinds of stressors everyday. There are many sources of stress: difficult people in the workplace, project deadlines, group projects, new responsibilities, and even schoolwork for those who are schooling. Other stressors are conflicts and major changes in one’s life like break-ups, birth, death, sickness, and unemployment.

There is no exact remedy for stress, but vitamins and good food can help. Exercise is also proven to help lessen the effects of stress because during strenuous activities the body releases endorphin, a morphine like substance that works as a natural pain reliever.

Here are some tips to help you beat stress:

• Take a hot bath or shower. When you feel that you are stressed out, take a hot bath or shower, stay in the bathroom for as long as you like and enjoy the warmth of the water on your stressed out body. You even can pamper yourself with a bubble bath. Warm water can help you loosen up.

• After the bath, get a good book and escape into the book’s pages. If you do not feel like reading, you can listen to some good music. If you like classical music, then listen to a good dose of Mozart, Brahms, or Tchaikovsky. If classical music is not your cup of tea, then you can have you favorite rock music or whatever music you prefer.

• If you have a pet, a dog perhaps, you can take a walk with it. Play with your pet also, it helps in releasing tensions that help cause stress.

• If you feel that you really need some good pampering, why not go and get yourself a good massage. Shiatsu massage is very effective in releasing bodily stress.

Nail Care Tips

Your nails are not just there as ornament for your fingers, they are more than that. Your nails not only help protect your fingers but also enhance their sensitivity by acting as a counter force when the end of your fingers touch something. Without your nails, your touch would not be as good and as accurate as it is.

Though your nails are made of tough protein called keratin, it is still important to take care of them because they can be damaged, they can dry out and die, and they can be infected with fungi. Here are some nail care tips that you can follow to help keep your nails healthy:

1. Water and detergent can dry your nails; be sure to apply a moisturizer on your hands, fingers, and nails after doing the dishes or washing clothes.
2. Never cut your cuticles. This can damage the root of your nail that can lead to its death.
3. If your nails are prone to drying, try using baby oil after applying polish.
4. Constant exposure to moisture can lead to Paronychia, an inflammation of the nail folds, so avoid having your hands exposed for long to water and moisture.
5. File nails only when the white part of the tip of the nail has grown about a quarter of an inch from the pink part of the nail. Never use cheap nail files, those that you can find in packs of 10 at the drugstore,  these are usually too rough for your nails and could break them.
6. Eat good food. Foods rich in calcium will help the health of your nails and make them strong.
7. Avoid exposing your fingernails to strong chemical substances. Nail polishes, hardeners, and even nail cleansers are also chemical substances that may damage your nails. Do not just use any nail polish, hardener, or cleanser, be sure that they are made of mild chemicals that can not damage your nails.

Cleanse Your Body the Natural Way

Like any kind of machine, the human body should be well-maintained and kept clean to be able to deliver what is expected of it all the time. It is important to protect our bodies from the everyday things that contribute to their deterioration. Our daily activities, the food we ingest, and the environment that we have contribute to the tear and wear that our bodies get. Doing some regular natural cleansing of our body can help a lot in attaining a high level of optimal health. Here are some tips to help you cleanse your body naturally:

1. Use water to eliminate toxins that accumulate in your body. Water is nature’s best cleanser. Drinking 10 to 12 glasses of water everyday is one of the most effective ways of flushing out toxins from your body.

2. Eat the right food. If you avoid processed foods (which contain a lot of preservatives) and eat organic foods, you are less likely to take in toxins like those that come from food that are exposed to pesticides and herbicides. Organic foods are also more nutritious than regular foods. Most people are turned off by the appearance of organic fruit because they look less perfect. But looks alone should not be your basis of judging the food. Organic fruits also taste better than regular fruits.

3. Keep your gastrointestinal tract in good condition by having lots of fiber in your diet. When your gastrointestinal tract is working properly it is easier to flush out toxins from your body.

4. Keep your liver healthy, it is your body’s built-in purifier. But the liver alone can not do it all, so you also need to ensure that your kidneys and intestines are always in top shape. Avoid fatty foods and too much alcohol consumption.

5. Think clean. When your mind is clean and focused, your body will benefit from it. You’ll feel healthier, and you’ll become more productive.