“Colds and flu are part of a long list of upper respiratory tract infections. The viruses that cause them are present in our environment especially during cold seasons because cold winds are medically pro-inflammatory” asserts Dr. Asif Hussein Gulam, a Mombasa-based physician
By Abdullahi Jamaa
Your nose is stuffy or it is expectantly running, your head is heavy and aching and you know like the back of your hand that you are suffering from a common cold or perhaps that malevolent flu.
I know you feel compunction that you are down with a serious cold that has terribly weakened your health particularly that of your head- the engine of your body.
Your hankie is busy spreading out the viral attacks against your recuperating body, your lovely handshake and soothing hug for your family members may translate into a home full of flu sufferers.
Colds and flu are like grass snakes, they are not harmful as such but they have the potential to nail you down onto your bed for days or for some few weeks depending on the strength of your immune system.
They are not lethargic like cancer, but they are perturbing and embarrassing especially when you are having a running nose coupled with an expectant cough.
And yes your doctor cannot do much about colds and flu that are so common with us that most people use homemade remedies to deal with its problematic symptoms.
The reasons why your doctor might not help is that antiviral medication helps manage flu but more often than not it fails to treat. Patients rely on their body’s natural mechanism to fight small and harmless opportunistic infections like colds.
Get the facts right: flu is caused by an influenza virus which is contagious; while scientist say there are many different viruses present in our neighborhood that causes colds. It is believed the number exceeds 200.
Viruses are spread and bred through globules that are coughed and sneezed out by an infected individual. Once you are infected, coughing, sneezing, sore throats and headaches are your next door neighbors.
Medically, these bugs are very common and present throughout everywhere and every time: around your house, school or mosque, there are potential cold-causing viruses that tend to take advantage of the human body.
“Colds and flu are part of a long list of upper respiratory tract infections. The viruses that cause them are present in our environment especially during cold seasons because cold winds are medically pro-inflammatory” asserts Dr. Asif Hussein Gulam, a Mombasa-based physician
“But also allergic reactions from some foods items or from our environment can cause bodily response and inflammations that tend to arouse respiratory illnesses”
Doctors say lifestyle adaptations also results in increased cases of colds as most people prefer taking excessive amounts of cold drinks and beverages.
“It is a widespread practice among most people to take very cold drinks that inflame the upper respiratory airways making it easy for the body to pick up infections” Dr. Asif notes
Doctors say, resting, eating a good diet, avoiding stress and drinking a lot of water are the common therapies in dealing with these problems.
It is really difficult to deal with it once you are down, hopefully your flu is mild,otherwise you have got to push your body against all odds in order to regain your health.
And here is when prevention is better than cure. Doctors say you have to handle yourself properly in order to keep your body health at optimum levels.
“Self-vigilance is recommended in handling colds and flu. Avoiding excessive cold drinks is a good way that helps, this is in order to keep inflammations at bay” says Dr. Asif
It is also at this point when you need to identify causes of your allergic reactions that tend to increase your chances of getting attacked by a viral illness.
Small acts such as washing your hand regularly or wearing a dust mask are some of things that you can do to keep opportunistic viruses at a distance.
Finally you may need yearly influenza shot -consult your doctor- since it is the best way to protect yourself but remember dealing with colds need more of a lifestyle rearrangement since viruses are as common as smiles.
