What is the flu?

Flu is a common ailment that all of us suffer from. Influenza, commonly shortened to "flu," is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses. The flu virus attacks the body by spreading through the upper and/or lower respiratory tract.

Flu appears most frequently in winter and early spring, when weather changes occur. Most of us take over the counter medication to help the symptoms. In some cases the flu stays for a longer time than in others as each body has its own mechanism of fighting against these viral infections. This mainly depends upon your immunity level and how strong your immune system is.

Symptoms of Flu

Congestion, sore throat and sneezing are common with colds. Colds and flu suffers cough, have headaches and chest comfort. You are likely to have a high fever with the flu for several days as well as headache, muscle aches, fatigue and overall feeling of weakness. Body ache and joint pain in many cases are also reported. Flu often affects us during weather change and climatic change. The flu is contagious! If somebody is sitting beside you at a public place and is infected with the flu, it can affect you too. Generally children get the flu from schools. In asthmatic people flu easily leads to an attack of asthma. Breathing problems can make a person feel lousy with flu.

Home flu remedies

A few antiviral medications are available to treat flu. But there are no medications that specifically defeat the common cold. Antibiotics may be helpful if there is a secondary bacterial infection.

Some of the home made remedies are to take steam inhalation two times a day. This helps to ease the nasal cavity and helps in breathing normally. Also two teaspoons of ginger and tulsi juice with a dash of honey helps in soothing the throat and helping to bring out the flem. Drinking hot vegetable soups will help keep the body warm and reduce body ache. Also eating easily digestible foods like broth and vegetable stew can help in keeping the body healthy to fight against flu. Turmeric powder and black pepper powder mixed in hot milk also helps to keep the cold and flu away. Not to forget brandy with warm water helps in keeping the cold away. Once the cold is arrested, fever automatically reduces.

Natural flu remedies and prevention

Most people get afflicted with the flu at least once in a year. Some people can have flu several times in a year. This is a real stress on the immune system. What natural flu remedies are available to us?

1. Flush out the toxins: Drinking hot fluids is beneficial because of their soothing effect on the throat and also the decongesting effect they have on the nasal passages. The time-tested chicken soup really helps! Caffeinated and carbonated beverages should be avoided because they may dehydrate you.

2. Protein intake: Lean meat, poultry, fish, legumes, eggs, and nuts and seeds are good sources of protein. (Though dairy is a good source of protein, it has been found to aggravate symptoms like skin lesions, runny nose and chest congestion in some.) Your anti-bodies are made of protein. So, if your body gets adequate protein, it can fight the infection better. Moreover, most of the protein foods contain good amounts of Selenium, zinc, Vitamins B6 and B12, which play a vital role in improving one's immunity.

3. Vitamin C: Vitamin C is popular for reducing the severity as well as duration of cold and flu-like symptoms. Aim for at least 2 servings of citrus fruits like oranges, pineapple, sweet limes to stock up on this vitamin. These foods are high in flavanoids, too. Flavanoids work very well in reducing the severity of the flu symptoms.

4. Get high on Glutathione: This is the master anti-oxidant known to boost your body's defense. Good sources of glutathione include watermelon, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, collards etc. You can either steam these veggies or consume them as hot, aromatic soups.

5. Stay away from high-fat and sugary foods. They are difficult to digest and may add on to your nausea and ?sick? feeling. Excess sugar has also been found to bring down your defenses and prolong your illness.

6. Get Your Sleep: Let your body rest and recuperate as much as possible. If you are feeling anxious, then after dinner, do some mental relaxation, deep breathing exercises for ten minutes, so you can get sound sleep at night.

Now, more than ever before, eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet will the best way to stay away from as well as recover from any infection.