Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Mushroom Hx Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Omelets, risotto and even salads are all places you might find mushrooms. But did you know mushrooms are also an amazing supplement for our immune system? There are so many different types of mushrooms that sometimes it can …
PROTEINS~WHAT ARE THEY? By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT While we all know protein, do we really know how much we need on a daily basis? It’s also something we all like as there seems to be endless choices. There is also no wrong …
The Common Cold!
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Today we will be talking about something everyone knows about and that topic is the common cold! Having a cold is probably one thing that both children and adults understand. But what cause’s a cold? Well when you have a cold you are actually suffering from a virus, in most cases it is a Rhinovirus. When we talk about upper respiratory infections the common cold is an example of what we mean. How do we catch a cold? Well the virus enters our body through the eyes, nose and mouth. Like most viruses it travels on droplets in the air that are released when someone coughs, sneezes or even just talks! When someone who is sick touches an object or even shakes your hand the virus gets on that object. If you touch it and then touch your eyes, mouth or nose BAM the virus can infect you too!
Exposure is probably one of the largest risk factors for getting a cold. It is one of the reasons why people are encouraged to stay home if they are sick. Having a weakened immune system is also a risk factor. Having a history of smoking or being exposed to 2nd hand smoke also increases your risk of getting a cold. Infants and young children are also at a higher risk of catching a cold.
What are the symptoms of a cold? While I know most people can probably list these all by heart I just want to do a quick reminder of what they are. Usually in 1-3 days after exposure to the virus symptoms can start and they can include runny/stuffy nose, sneezing, sore/ scratchy throat, cough, low grade fever, headache and even just plain old “I don’t feel good”. (1) Unfortunately the common cold isn’t the only virus that can cause these symptoms. I’ve included a chart that compares them! (2)
Now while most people recover from a cold within a few days – a week there can be complications that occur. These can include sinus or ear infections. There may also be acute bronchitis. If you have asthma or emphysema or chronic bronchitis the symptoms can get worse. You may develop a cough that lingers after infections. (3)
While most people with a cold don’t need to see a doctor sometimes it’s necessary. For children up to 12 weeks if there is a fever of 100.4 degrees it’s a good idea to see their doctor. In older children if there is a rising fever or fever lasting more than 2 days, if there is any trouble with breathing, wheezing, ear pain, or just intense symptoms as well as unusual fatigue or fuzziness it can also be a good idea to see their doctor. Lastly if there is a change in appetite it’s important to see their doctor. In adults it’s a good ideas to see a doctor if there is a fever over 101.3 degrees that lasts more than 3 days, if the fever returns after being gone or there is shortness of breath, wheezing or the symptoms unusually severe. (1) If there is a high fever in either children or adults it may be a good idea to see your doctor. (3)
When it comes to a cold prevention is key! And that starts with 1 simple word- hygiene! Wash your hands and clean frequently touched surfaces. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneezes or cough. If your sick stay home! Don’t share glasses or eating utensils. If you can stay away from those that are sick. (1) It is also helpful to make sure that your environment is not too dry so that your sinus don’t dry out which would leave you at risk for a cold. (3) It’s always a good ideas to help boost our immunity. In that case what can we do to boost our immunity?
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Boost your Immune Health with Beta Immunity Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Today I want to talk about a supplement that is great for those times when you’re fighting off a cold or other upper respiratory infection. That supplement is Beta Immunity! Beta Immunity is …
DAIRY~THE OPTIONS AND BENEFITS By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT Dairy is that food group that seems to be one of the easiest to consume and the most indulgent. This group is commonly associated with calcium and strong bones. It has a wide variety …
Seasonal Allergies!
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Achoo! Achoo! Is it a cold? It is just dusty? Nope! Its allergy season! And along with allergy season is all the symptoms of allergies. Having symptoms of allergies tend to come during what is known as allergy season. Some people have symptoms during every allergy season, whereas other people have symptoms only during “bad” allergy seasons. But what exactly do we mean by allergy season? What causes us to feel so poorly? And lastly what are the symptoms of allergies and what can you do to alleviate them?
Basically allergy season is the time when certain allergens, especially pollen are released by plants. This seasonal release of pollen triggers seasonal allergies to flare up. In the US we tend to consider there to be 2 main seasons for pollen to release. In fall there is mainly ragweed. In spring there is tree pollen, in many parts of the US there may be grass pollen throughout a great deal of the year. In addition to ragweed pollen and tree/grass pollen other plants that commonly trigger allergies include Burning bush, Cocklebur, Lambs-quarter, Pigweed, Sagebrush, Mugwort, Tumbleweed and Russian thistle. (1) Just to sum things up allergy season is basically the times during the year when plants are releasing their pollen and this triggers the symptoms of allergens.
Now I bet your thinking but doc HOW does pollen cause me all these troubles? Basically when our body comes into contact with something your allergic to it treats it as a pathogen or bad guy. In order to protect us from the allergens the immune system releases histamines, leukotrienes and prostaglandins. These trigger a chemical reaction that is responsible for the symptoms of allergies.
Let’s review some of the more common seasonal allergy symptoms. First off it is very common to feel congested. This can lead to a runny nose, runny eyes and a post nasal drip. There is often sneezing as well as cough. In addition to a runny nose there may be an itchy nose, eyes and throat. Very often there is fatigue. (2) There may also be headache and sinus pressure. You may also develop dark circles under your eyes. Your eyes may also become red where the whites are. If you experience severe allergies you may have wheezing and even trouble breathing. (3) What is the difference symptoms wise between having seasonal allergies and a cold? Take a look at the following chart to help answer that question. (4)
What kind of tests can you do to determine if allergies are causing your symptoms? To start with the doctor can do a skin test. When you do a skin test the doctor will prick the skin and then inject a tiny amount of what you suspect you may be allergic to. A positive test will result in your skin becoming red, inflamed and swollen. The other option is to get a blood test done. Both tests have different benefits so it’s important to discuss your options with an allergist. (3)
What can you do to help reduce the signs of seasonal allergies? The first thing you can do is to pay attention to the daily pollen and mold spore count. When the levels are high it may be better to avoid outdoor activities. When pollen counts are high it is also helpful to close the windows to seal out the pollen. It’s also helpful to wear a hat and a mask when you are outside. Then once you come back inside its important to change your clothes as well as shower. It can also be helpful to begin medications as well as supplements before the start of allergy season. (2) Speaking of supplements what can you do to help with allergy symptoms?
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