74 Waukegan Rd

Corbeil, ON P0H 1K0 CA

(416) 303-3029

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Cold or Flu? Which is it?

cold_flu_200_300.jpgThey say that there are two seasons in Canada - Winter and Construction.  I say there are two seasons in Canada too - Construction and Cold and Flu season.  Starting about the end of September, when our exposure to sunshine starts to decline (decreasing our Vitamin D levels) and the kids start getting together at school again (so they can transfer it to each other), the colds and flues start appearing.

Sharon always knows when it's starting because the phone will ring constantly with people who say they have "the flu".  Except…usually they don't.  There is a difference between having a cold and having the flu.

The common cold (and boy is it common) typically has a 2 - 5 day incubation period.  After that the symptoms develop gradually over several days and usually last 7 - 10 days.  The symptoms inevitably start with a scratchy throat, sneezing and/or sniffles which ultimately lead to congestion. If there is any fever present it is usually mild (in adults).  If the cold moves into your chest, then coughing is generally of the hacking variety and can be moist due to the congestion.

On the other hand, influenza - known as "the flu", most often has a 2 day incubation period and has a rather sudden onset with fever (usually greater than 101 degrees F and lasting 3-4 days), headache and all over body aches (myalgia).  People with the flu are often exhausted or fatigued.  Coughing is usually dry and hacking and can last days or weeks after all other flu symptoms have passed.

Influenza is more of a systemic illness, meaning it affects your entire body, whereas a cold generally just affects the upper body (head and chest).  You can sometimes get a stuffy nose, sneezing and sore throat with the flu, but it's much more common with colds.  The flu can be more serious because it can lead to other problems, like pneumonia in susceptible older adults and young children.

Colds and Influenza are caused by viruses.  In general, viral illnesses will run their course without a trip to the medical doctor being necessary.  Antibiotics don't work against viruses, so all your M.D. can do is recommend that you could use some pain medications, cough suppressants or an anti-pyretic (fever reducers).  All of these are available without a prescription from your local drug store to help you deal with your cold or flu symptoms.  A more natural way to speed up your recovery (this is what Sharon & I use) is lots of fluids - especially honey-lemon tea, increased vitamin C, Echinacea, garlic and zinc lozenges. 

If you are suffering from cold or flu symptoms, you should also schedule a visit with us.  Chiropractic adjustments don't treat the virus directly, but rather boosts your body's ability to fight the invaders.  That's why regular chiropractic care can reduce the frequency with which you get sick.  The adjustment also helps reduce the aches and pains that come with being ill.

The nervous system is the master control system of your body and it oversees your immune response.  The adjustment revs up your nervous system which in turn helps keep your body's immune system in peak condition so it can fight off minor intruders like colds and flu with ease.

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