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Please scroll down for more information and tips on: coughs & colds, dry itchy eyes, snoring, hangovers and sensitive teeth.
Coughs & Colds
Colds are the commonest cause of illness in children and adults. Colds are caused by a virus - there are over 200 types of viruses that can cause the common cold! When people are in closer contact with each other they are more likely to infect each other. Cold causing viruses are spread by sneezing, coughing and hand contact.
The symptoms of a cold include:
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Headache
- Red eyes
- Swelling of lymph glands
- Fever (occasionally).
The actual symptoms will vary from person to person, and from illness to illness. Symptoms can last from a few days to a week or more.
You can help relieve a cold or chesty cough in the following ways:
- Warm drinks will ease a sore throat and dry mouth.
- Paracetamol may be used if fever is present.
- Nasal drops or inhalers might ease a blocked nose.
- Zinc lozenges like Cold-Clear to help prevent the cold-causing virus from spreading.
- A cough expectorant like Prospan to help bring up mucus and relieve coughing spasms.
Dry Eye
Although there is no cure for dry eye, the condition can be successfully managed. A range of options can be used:
- Make a conscious effort to blink more often.
- Increase the humidity of the air in your home by placing bowls of water around the room to evaporate.
- Consult your doctor about the side effects of any medications you may be taking.
- Ensure your eyes are regularly checked by an eye specialist.
- In serious cases special plugs can be inserted into the tear ducts to prevent excessive loss of tears or surgery maybe considered.
- Use eye drops or a lipid spray such as Tears Again.
Snoring
Snoring is not harmful to one's health, however if a person is a loud snorer they may continually wake themselves and their bed-partner up during the night. This can lead to long-term sleep deprivation, stress and fatigue. The following tips may assist snorers.
- Losing weight and cutting back on alcohol.
- Sleeping on one's side instead of on the back.
- Allow plenty of air to circulate through the bedroom.
- In serious cases surgery maybe considered.
- Use a nasal device such as Nozovent.
Hangovers
A hangover is a sign of over-indulgence. Your body is in a state of dehydration. It normally includes symptoms such as dry mouth, headache, nausea, queasy stomach and fatigue. The following tips will help alleviate those nasty 'morning-after' symptoms:
- Drink lots of fluids such as water and juices.
- If you drink coffee, always follow with water.
- Have a substantial meal but avoid greasy and fatty foods.
- Paracetamol may help headaches.
- Take 4 Hydrodol capsules to help relieve major hangover symptoms.
Minimising the effects of a hangover is probably the best strategy all round. The following may help reduce the risk of a hangover.
- Drink on a full stomach or at least eat whilst drinking
- Select drinks that suit you and that you normally like to drink.
- Avoid fast drinking or 'skolling'.
- Restrict the quantity of alcohol you drink by diluting your drinks.
- Have a non-alcoholic drink in-between alcoholic drinks.
- Beer drinkers, try 'light' beers.
- Avoid or restrict smoking while you drink.
- Drink 3 large glasses of water before going to bed.
- Take 4 Hydrodol capsules.
Always drink in moderation. Do not drink and drive. If symptoms persist, please see your health care practitioner.
Sensitive Teeth
A sign of sensitive teeth usually comes about when one experiences pain and discomfort when eating or drinking various food and drink especially acidic, hot and cold stimuli. If the pain becomes unbearable, you should visit your dentist immediately, as you could have an infection or the nerve of your tooth could be exposed.
The exposed root tips of your teeth contain small tubules that lead directly to the nerves of the teeth. Whenever pressure, hot, or cold stimuli travel down the tubules, it triggers the nerves and the result is painful teeth. The following tips should help prevent or reduce sensitive teeth:
- Regular brushing with a soft or medium bristle tooth brush. An electric toothbrush is recommended.
- Regular visits to your dentist and dental hygienist (ever 6 months is recommended)
- Review your diet and avoid or reduce your intake of sugary, acidic, hot and cold food and drinks.
- Regular flossing (ask your dental hygienist on the best way to floss)
- Use of mouth wash such as Listerine
- Use of a sensitive toothpaste like Sensodyne (takes 5-6 weeks to take work)
- Use of an instant remedy like Remesense (takes only 10 minutes to work & lasts for up to 1 month)
If symptoms persist, please see your health care practitioner.
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