June 2019 - Goodlife Pharmacy Kenya

As cold rolls into town, so does the flue and all its miserable symptoms. Yet, doctors and women alike have long noticed that men tend to bemoan those symptoms more than women. The phenomenon even has a name, the “man flu.”

So, are men just whiny wimps? According to analysis out of Canada, the answer is no, because respiratory illnesses may indeed hit men harder than women.

A study author Dr Kyle Sue, a clinical assistant professor in family medicine with the Health Sciences Centre at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, indicates there are already many physiologic differences between men and women, so it makes sense that we could differ in our responses to cold and flu viruses as well.

So what can you do this cold season for preventive measures against the common cold?

A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.
Wash your hands frequently during the flu season. You may use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rinse. You can get alcohol rinses available at all our pharmacies. Remember to wash your hands for 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Viruses are often spread after a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid contact with people who are sick. If your coworker is ill, steer clear of his or her sneezes and coughs. When possible, avoid shaking hands with someone who is ill with a cold. If you are caring for an ill family member, wash your hands frequently and minimize proximity to his or her face.
Cover your mouth or tuck it into your elbow when coughing or sneezing and encourage others to do so. Wash your hands afterwards.
Stay home if you have a respiratory infection when A general guideline is to stay home 24 hours
Get enough sleep and avoid getting “run down”.

Nothing can cure a cold, but that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable, there are some remedies that might help ease your symptoms and keep you from feeling so miserable. If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for one to two weeks. Besides getting enough rest, these remedies might help you feel better:

Stay hydrated. Water, orange juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which can make dehydration worse.
Your body needs to heal.
Soothe a sore throat.
A saltwater gargle — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in a glass of warm water can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat. You can also try, sore throat sprays, lozenges.
Combat stuffiness.
Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays can help relieve stuffiness and congestion.
Sip warm liquids.
A cold remedy used in many cultures, taking in warm liquids, such as chicken soup, tea, or warm apple juice, might be soothing and might ease congestion by increasing mucus flow.
Add moisture to the air.
A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier can add moisture to your home, which might help loosen congestion. Change the water daily, and clean the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t use steam, which hasn’t been shown to help and may cause burns.
Try over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medications.
For adults and children older than 5, OTC decongestants, antihistamines and pain relievers might offer some symptom relief. However, they won’t prevent a cold or shorten its duration. Overuse and misuse of these medications can cause serious damage.Take medications only as directed. Some cold remedies contain multiple ingredients, such as a decongestant plus a pain reliever, so read the labels of cold medications you take to make sure you’re not taking too much of any medication.

So if you feel like you coming down with a cold, walk into your nearest Goodlife pharmacy coz we go the right thing to keep ease your symptoms.

We all know that it’s common for men to skip the doctor until they become sick, injure themselves or are faced with a serious health problem. And a majority of men will postpone seeking care for a few days to see whether they feel any better. It’s the whole “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” line of thinking.

But there are steps the men in your life can take today to improve their vitality and help prevent health problems down the road. Of course, there are some things that can’t be changed, such as family history and age, but everyday choices can have a big impact on their current and future health.

Offer the men in your life the following tips for staying healthy:

Get routine health checkups, screenings and don’t forget dental exams. Just because you’re healthy doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Going to your health care provider for regular checkups could just save your life. By keeping up with these appointments, your health care provider can make sure you stay up-to-date with immunizations, yes, they’re for adults, too! and important preventive health screenings. It also gives you a chance to talk about any health concerns or changes you’ve noticed. Make sure to talk with your health care provider about your family medical history and ask which screenings you might need. You can walk into a Goodlife pharmacy today an get your BMI, blood pressure, vitamin and blood sugar checked for free.

Certain cancers depending on risk factors, including your age and family history

Depression: Did you know men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women, which is thought to be due to under-diagnosed depression?

And, if you’re like most people, you dread going to the dentist, but add that to your “to do” list. Dental exams aren’t just important for your teeth and gums; your mouth may also be a red flag for other health conditions. You can also get your oral solutions at any goodlife pharmacy to keep you oral healthy.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Eating a diet that’s low in fat,cholesterol, and salt, and packed with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fiber can help improve your health, prevent heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.

Get moving. Try to get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. Taking a walk, jogging, swimming and mowing the lawn all count. But don’t be a weekend sports warrior. Start slowly if you aren’t normally active and gradually build up. Talk to your doctor about the right exercise program for you.

Lose the gut for good. It’s important to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight, especially around the waist, can be hard on your body. Carrying too much body fat forces your heart to work harder and increases your chances of heart disease and stroke, even if you have no other risk factors! So, try to curb weight gain as you age.

Drink alcohol in moderation. If you drink alcohol, limit your consumption to no more than two drinks per day. )

Don’t use tobacco. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and is a known cause of cancer. Smoking also increases the likelihood of high blood pressure, heart disease, lung problems and other health problems. And if you think chewing tobacco is safer, think again. Not only is chewing tobacco a known cause of cancer, it also contributes to gum disease and tooth loss and may be linked to fertility problems. If you smoke or chew, talk to your health care professional about ways to quit. Consider nicotine replacement therapy products that include self-help programs, if appropriate.

Learn to manage stress. Many men define themselves by their careers, which can raise stress levels. Over time, stress can take a toll on your emotional and physical health. Notice early warning signs of stress, such as irritability, tension in your shoulders and neck, grinding your teeth or clenching your hands into fists, and find healthy ways to de-stress.

Talk to family and friends about how they can help you integrate these tips into your everyday life and stick with them.