Arthritis Wisdom

Inspired tips and information elevating autoimmune living

Lifestyle

Flu Season Is Not Over!

Flu season is Not Over

Flu season is not over and a more serious strain, H3N2, is becoming more prevalent.

FLU SEASON IS NOT OVER!

Flu season is not over just like winter is not over in Wisconsin!  Now is not the time to think we are out of the woods and let down our guard concerning influenza.

The dominant strain of the flu was H1N1 at the beginning of the season, but the H3N2 strain has been the dominant strain in some regions the past few weeks.  H3N2, a swine flu variant, seems to spread more easily from pigs to humans than other swine flu viruses.  It can be more severe for older adults and very young children according to CDC spokesperson Kristen Nordlund.  The CDC is concerned the virus could mutate and start spreading between people.

This interests me because not only is my immune system compromised due to the biologic I take for my rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but I am at increased risk for heart, lung and other diseases because of the systemic inflammation caused by the RA.  This all leaves me more vulnerable to potential complications of the flu.  Diabetics, the obese, children under the age of 5, pregnant women, and adults over 65 years old are at increased risk, as well.  I want to do all I can to prevent getting the flu.  Here are a few things you can do to help prevent getting the flu.

Tips to help prevent getting the flu:

  1. It is not too late to get the flu vaccine.  Although this year’s vaccine doesn’t cover the H3N2 virus, researches think it will help lessen the symptoms.  It takes about 2 weeks for the vaccination to kick in.
  2. Wash hands frequently.  Keep hand sanitizer with you in your purse or backpack to use when you can’t wash your hands.
  3. Stay hydrated.
  4. Get 8 hours of sleep each night.
  5. Eat healthy foods to keep your body properly fueled.  Actually, use the *FRESH* strategy.
  6. Avoid crowds.
  7. If you are exposed to the flu, seek medical care to get a prescription for an anti-viral to help prevent getting the flu.
  8. If you have symptoms such as cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, fever, muscle or body aches, headache, or fatigue seek medical care.  An anti-viral can help lessen the symptoms if started within 48 hours of the first symptom.
  9. Change out towels in the kitchen and bath often at home.  Do not share towels.

Take good care of yourself now because flu season is not over!

And that is using Arthritis Wisdom!

XXOO Cathy

photo credit: Kelly Sikkema of Unsplash

 

How About a *FRESH* Valentine?

A heart shaped bowl full of antioxidant rich fruit, a *FRESH* Valentine indeed

A *FRESH* Valentine is a positive move!

How About a *FRESH* Valentine?

I was thinking about Valentine’s Day and how to celebrate the occasion.  It didn’t take long to ask myself “how about a *FRESH* valentine, a gift that will keep on giving?”

What on earth is a *FRESH* valentine?  It is purposefully implementing one of five lifestyle areas I pinpointed once I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to help my medications to better manage my systemic inflammation.  The five areas are F for the food I eat, R for rest and relaxation, E for exercise, S for sleep and H for hydration.

Let’s look closer at each of these areas:

  • F for food.  I was too sick to follow a strict diet at the time.  I didn’t have the energy to find recipes to make the restrictive diet edible.  I defaulted to keeping it simple by limiting processed foods, added sugar and added salt.  I learned to read labels, and was shocked at times learning what I thought was something healthy was actually not so.
  • R for rest and relaxation.  In other words, managing stress in my life.  I have found meditating and using visualization to be very helpful.
  • E for exercise.  Keep moving!  One Pilates session a week made a big difference in stamina, flexibility and better posture.  I also walk the dog every day.
  • S for sleep.  I aim for at least eight hours of sleep every night.  I start winding my day down right after dinner so I’m ready to turn in sometimes by 8:30!
  • H for hydration.  A rule of thumb I was taught was to take your body weight in pounds, divide that number in half and that is how many ounces of fluid to aim to consume each day.  It is helpful to have a goal.

So take your pick.  Try one thing in one of the areas to make your lifestyle healthier in one small way.  I have found making small adjustments to my lifestyle have added up to make a big difference.

My pick for this Valentine’s Day is to have a  big-dark-chocolate-covered strawberry instead of indulging in a gooey chocolate desert.  It may seem like a small thing, but when I eat sugary deserts I crave more.  And sometimes I’m not so good at resisting the craving.

Let me know how you are celebrating with a *FRESH* Valentine this year.  I’d love to hear from you!

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

And that is using Arthritis Wisdom!

XXOO  Cathy

photo credit: Jamie Street at Unsplash

 

Take Good Care of Yourself

Snuggling up with a hot water bottle when you feel chilled

Take good care of yourself because you are in the best position to do so!

Take Good Care of Yourself

Making decisions based on what is best for my health has been a constant for me this past month.  I got the same respiratory virus our son and my husband had.  The difference is they were both better in 2 days while it took me 3 weeks to see improvement.  That is how it is sometimes for those of us on immunosuppressants.

Into the second week of my illness, after cancelling many plans and commitments, I was reminded once again that I am in the best position to know what I can or cannot do.  Maybe should or should not do is more accurate.  After awhile I get sick of being sick and just want to do my normal activities and get on with my life.  The reality is being immunosuppressed requires diligence and patience while the body heals.

I’m not saying that friends, family and our healthcare providers aren’t essential.  What I am saying is that for the most part we have the final word on what we do or don’t do to take care of ourself.  I am the one that chooses what I eat, decides whether to cancel a commitment, whether to take a rest or go to bed early, and how to stay hydrated.  It is usually up to us to ask for help from our friends and loved ones because most of us are really good at concealing exactly how we are feeling or doing.  The same goes for seeking medical care.  We may be feeling too lousy or we don’t want to bother anyone.

My point is recognizing we are in the best position to drive our own care if we are adult age.  And because we tend to be good at masking how well we are doing, it is in our best interest to have a few key individuals to count on to give their advice and take it to heart.

After spending the past month feeling under the weather, I wish you all health and wellness.  Take good care of yourself because you are in the best position to do so!

XXOO  Cathy

photo credit: rawpixel at Unsplash