Paula Sharp Natural Nutritional Therapist
  • Home
  • About
  • My Approach & Consultations
  • Articles
  • Recipes & Tips
  • Workshops
  • Contact
  • Gallery

Is it a cold or the flu?

1/17/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
We are well and truly into January with its wealth of cold weather, sometimes blue skies and often rainy days. Heating is high and air temperatures are low, heralding the cold and flu season.

But what is the difference between a cold and the flu and what can we do to avoid them and care for ourselves? When I was growing up, there was NO difference - everything was flu to my mum! But today it’s clearer - below I’ve compiled a table to show the general symptoms of each virus.

Table: Cold & Flu Symptoms

COLD
SYMPTOM
FLU
YES
Stuffy or runny nose?
SOMETIMES
YES
Sneezing
SOMETIMES
YES, green/yellow mucus
Cough
YES, a dry cough
YES
Sore Throat
SOMETIMES
MILD head & body
Body aches
SEVERE 
NO
Nausea
SOMETIMES
RARE
Fever
YES
NO
Chills & Sweats
YES
SLOWLY, over a few days
Timing of symptoms?
FAST, within hours
A cold usually affects the upper respiratory tract leaving us with runny or blocked noses, sore throats and congested airways. These symptoms along with (some or a combination of) a fever, headache, earache and tiredness can develop over 10 to 14 days. Whereas flu is severe and immediate. Flu comes on quickly and brings with it muscle aches, a high temperature and sometimes shivering, sweating and often pure exhaustion.

Although there is no ‘cure’ for the cold or flu there is a lot that we can do to prevent them. Remember, food can be your medicine. Follow the rule of F.R.E.S.H.

Fruit & Vegetables – choose a variety of colours.
Rest – have the right amount of sleep (6 to 8 hours for an adult).
Energy – notice your energy levels and respond to them.
Seasonal – eat with the seasons, follow Nature’s rhymes.
Hydration – fundamental to the body’s mechanics.

F is for Fruit and Vegetables.
Keep eating seasonally and colourfully. All fresh fruit and vegetables physically offer us a package of vitamins and minerals that the body knows how to utilize. By this, I mean - to breakdown, absorb and distribute to organs, muscles, blood, bones and all the cells throughout the body.

In the winter months squash and pumpkins are grown locally. They are high in antioxidants (Vitamin C), are anti-inflammatory and have insulin-regulating properties. These qualities are key to staying healthy at this time of year. Other Winter favourites are kale, Brussels’ sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower and broccoli. These cruciferous vegetables are high in vitamin C, A & K, soluble fibre and contain magnesium and potassium. The deep red of beetroot indicates it’s nutrient punch. High in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory, it also has a good amount of manganese and folate (a form of Vitamin B). Don’t forget your leeks, garlic and onions. All contain antioxidants, which specifically target viruses and bacteria. Perfect for wound healing, but also in supporting the body through a cold or the flu. Like the vegetables above, they are also anti-inflammatory helping with congestion.

R is for Rest.
If you are sick give yourself time and space to rest and recover. Often people rush back into their routines when their bodies are asking for ‘more down time’. Preventatively, get more sleep.

E is for Energy
Listen to your body and respond to your energy levels. Winter is a time for ‘hibernation’. To be close to home, enjoying close family and friends. It is the natural time of physical contraction and regeneration.

S is for Seasonal.
Keep food as local and seasonal as possible. This is Natures way of providing the right foods for its indigenous people. (NB. With global farming and traditional crops no longer being grown in home countries, this can be tricky. Practicalities need to fit too).

H is for Hydration.
Hydration is key! I can’t stress this more for wellness and avoiding illness. The body uses more fluids when it is under stress; so as January deadlines loom and different emotional, physical and mental pressures show themselves, drink water. If you do catch a cold or the flu, keep your clear fluids up – water, easy broths, herbal teas and lemon and honey drinks.

And lastly, reduce alcohol, cigarettes and processed food.

Detox in the Spring and nurture in the Winter.
1 Comment
Nola
1/18/2018 09:14:19 am

Always interesting reading,great if we can follow through.We are so lucky to enjoy so many colourful veggies,fruit and nuts to keep us healthy also to enjoy.Thankyou for all your work ,research does take time we know.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Paula is an avid writer and enjoys working with food and words.

    Archives

    September 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from wuestenigel, Magdalena Roeseler, wuestenigel, bob in swamp, IQRemix, KathrynW1
  • Home
  • About
  • My Approach & Consultations
  • Articles
  • Recipes & Tips
  • Workshops
  • Contact
  • Gallery