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Feeling a bit off?

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:23:15 +0000

The moment you feel achy or run down, nip flu-like symptoms in the bud with Oscillo. Get Oscillo. And feel like yourself again.

Supported by clinical trials. Safe. No side effects.

Tips for Flu Season

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:00:34 +0000

9 Tips to Help You Stay Healthy During Flu Season

Boiron offers the following tips on how to stay healthy this flu season and what to do if the flu bug bites:

1. Talk to your doctor. Get professional advice if you are at risk for complications from flu.

2. Wash your hands frequently. Flu viruses are spread by droplets from infected people when they sneeze, blow their nose, or wipe away secretions from their nose or eyes. During flu season, everyone should be encouraged to keep their hands out of their mouths, avoid rubbing their eyes and wash their hands thoroughly several times a day, especially before meals.

3. Eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins C and E. Foods containing these vitamins are believed to be helpful in supporting the immune system. Foods rich in vitamin E include sunflower and corn oils, sunflower seeds, and nuts such as almonds and peanuts. You can get your daily vitamin C from foods like orange juice, citrus fruits, broccoli and green peppers. And make an effort to reduce your intake of concentrated sugar (e.g. soda, candy) because excessive sugar impairs the immune response.

4. Get a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep may profoundly inhibit your immune system. Get a full night’s sleep to keep your body’s natural defenses at optimum efficiency.

5. Stay hydrated. Increasing your water intake will help you stay healthy and lessen the chance of you coming down with flu. When you are feeling under the weather, drinking extra fluids prevents dehydration caused by fever, loosens mucus, and keeps your throat moist. Warm liquids are preferable, and there is some evidence that inhaling steam early in the course of a cold or flu may reduce the spread of viruses in your upper respiratory tract.

6. Keep Oscillococcinum^® readily available. Oscillococcinum (Oscillo®), one of the world’s most popular natural flu medicines, can reduce the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms when taken at the onset of symptoms. Its use is supported by published clinical studies, as well as more than 65 years of use throughout the world. Plus, unlike other flu medicines, Oscillo has no known side effects, it does not interfere with other medications, and it is safe for both children (older than 2 years of age) and adults.

7. Exercise regularly. Not only can regular exercise lower stress, but research indicates that exercise can stimulate the immune system and promote healthy sleep. In a recent study reported in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, scientists found that modest exercise may prevent the elderly from getting colds and flu.

8. Listen to your body. If you do come down with a cold or flu, take it easy. Spending excessive energy steals valuable resources from the immune system. Even attempting to perform normal activities at work or school may be too much. Besides, if you believe you’re coming down with flu, probably the best thing you can do for friends and family is to not expose them unnecessarily to the virus.

9. Seek help if you get worse. If your symptoms become significantly worse after the first three days of illness, especially if your fever subsides and then returns, be sure to seek medical attention right away. The reason that flu is considered a potentially dangerous infection is that it leaves the body vulnerable to other infections like pneumonia.

Flu in the Workplace

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:30 +0000

How Flu Spreads in the Workplace and What Can Be Done

Flu can flourish in a workplace environment because of how the virus is spread. Flu is commonly spread from respiratory droplets that can travel up to three feet from the cougher or sneezer. Breathing in these droplets or touching something with the virus on it, like a phone or doorknob, and then touching the eyes, mouth or nose can infect a person.

The more employees there are in a work area, the more chance there is of coming in contact with the virus through the air or shared surfaces.

» Absenteeism vs. Presenteeism

» What Businesses Can Do

» What Employees Can Do

» Why Employers and Employees Should Care About Flu

Every year, between 5 percent and 20 percent of the United States population gets the flu. Estimates of the effect from the common flu strain on productivity vary because of monitoring difficulties. Yet, most statistics demonstrate that businesses should consider the impact.

“According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average worker will be out 2.8 days. If 15 million workers get the flu in a winter, that translates into a cost of nearly $20 billion for U.S. employees. This figure doesn’t even include the cost incurred when employees go to work sick and can’t perform at their peak. It is estimated that these employees who come to work with the flu increase lost workdays by 10 percent to 30 percent.”
(Source: “Combating normal flu virus” by Sharon Kaleta, CEO of the Disability Management Employer Coalition. Business Insurance, Jan. 23, 2006.)
The Center for Health Research Rural Advocacy at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa., “calculated the total cost of presenteeism in the United States to be more than $150 billion per year.” Sick workers are less productive, take longer to get better and often infect their colleagues.
(Source: Paul Hemp, Harvard Business Review, October 2004.)
“About 10 percent to 12 percent of all absences from work are because of the flu. That translates to about 15 million lost workdays a year. And that doesn’t count people who come to work sick and perform under par, or healthy workers who stay home to take care of sick relatives.”
(Source: Roslyn Stone, COO of Corporate Wellness, Inc., a healthservice company based in New York City. Tallahassee Democrat, Nov. 17, 2005.)
In a typical year, it is estimated that flu in the workplace may result in as much as $10 billion in lost productivity.
(Source: David Cutler, Harvard University health economist. “Flu vaccine shortage could cost the U.S. $20 billion,” Associated Press, Oct. 21, 2004.)
“Memorial Hospital in Colorado cites statistics showing that an average of 75 million workdays is lost to viral illness in the U.S. every year. Flu-stricken employees miss an average of three workdays. This costs companies about $7 billion in sick days and lost productivity.”
(Source: “Enlisting Keyboard in the Fight against Flu” by Tom Gaudio. NJBIZ, Oct. 24, 2005.)
“Flu costs American businesses nearly $12 billion annually in lost productivity.”
(John Beckley, Director, Hunterdon County Department of Health. Courier News, Bridgewater, N.J., Nov. 3, 2005.)

The Show Must Go On

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:55:20 +0000

When Fighting Flu, Celebrities Go “Au Naturel”

Each winter, the highly contagious flu virus affects, on average, up to 20 percent of the U.S. population, or 60 million people. It isn’t selective about who it hits—even the famous are vulnerable.

In fact, the jet-set crowd may actually be more prone to flu. No one knows better the harshness of being on the road than singers on tour, actors on location and athletes at competitions. Furthermore, these professionals often put in long and physically demanding hours.

“Celebrities are just like us. When they get sick with flu symptoms like fever, chills and body aches, they sometimes can’t get out of bed either,” says Chris Gilbert, M.D. This general practitioner in Torrance, Calif., explains that “the difference is that much of the time, they have a lot of people depending on them to perform at their peak. They can’t afford to miss an important appearance, and they can’t take regular medicine that puts them in a fog for a performance. That’s why some of our favorite stars rely on Oscillococcinum^®.”

Unlike other over-the-counter flu medicines, Oscillo^® helps shorten both the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms—a claim supported by double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. One study found that 63 percent of patients who took Oscillo within 24 hours of the onset of flu symptoms showed “complete resolution” or “clear improvement” within 48 hours.¹

Quick relief is just one of the reasons that Oscillo is an industry secret found on production sets throughout Hollywood. Celebrities love it because it helps them get rid of flu symptoms fast without making them drowsy, nauseous or wired like many other flu medicines can. It works naturally with no known side effects or drug interactions to keep even the hardest workers in the entertainment community at the jobs they love—for “the show must go on.”

Similarly, other busy professionals and those with demanding positions, such as moms, value Oscillo’s ability to let them focus on what’s important in their lives.

Consumers looking for the “celebrity treatment” can pick up this same affordable over-the-counter medicine used by Hollywood’s A-list and pro sports teams at thousands of stores nationwide.

1. Papp R, Schuback G, Beck E, et al. Oscillococcinum in patients with influenza-like syndromes: a placebo-controlled double-blind evaluation. British Homeopathic Journal 1998;87:69-76.

Flu & Traveling

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:03:59 +0000

Eight Reasons Why Travelers are More Susceptible to Flu

Chris Gilbert, M.D., a general practitioner in Torrance, Calif., explains why travelers are more susceptible to flu and provides tips on how to stay healthy this flu season while traveling.

1. Travel can facilitate the spread of the flu virus through shared surfaces and air. It’s often assumed that flu illness levels increase due to cold weather because the increase in illness levels coincides with cold weather. In reality, flu illness levels increase during the winter because people spend more time indoors. While inside, people share more space with others, touch more surfaces and breathe more “shared” air. Traveling amplifies this situation. The high occupant density and the proximity of passengers in cars, buses, stations, airplanes, airports and even cruise ships increases the chance of coming into contact with someone with flu. Reduce your chances of swapping germs by avoiding contact with shared items. Don’t put your face directly on airline-supplied pillows or blankets that haven’t been sanitized.

2. Travel can enhance the spread of the flu virus geographically. Patterns of flu illness levels vary from year to year. During some seasons, flu activity peaks throughout the nation all at once. During other seasons, flu activity rolls through the country from region to region. In the latter situation, your out-of-town guest may bring you an unwanted present to be shared later by your family and co-workers. Furthermore, holiday travel often connects children—who tend to dislike hand-washing—with especially susceptible young cousins and older grandparents. Next time you visit family and friends, swap presents and Oscillococcinum®, not germs!

3. Travel can hamper efforts to wash hands. The majority of flu is transmitted hand-to-hand or skin-to-skin, so it’s important to wash your hands frequently. Ironically—just when travelers are particularly susceptible to respiratory illnesses due to close contact with a lot of people carrying cold and flu bugs—hand-washing becomes less convenient due to lack of facilities. During winter travel, large family gatherings, hugs and handshakes all provide ample opportunity for the flu virus to spread. If you can’t wash your hands thoroughly several times a day, rely on winter gloves when reasonable. More importantly, avoiding rubbing your eyes or nose.

4. Travel tends to cause dehydration. Airline travel increases susceptibility to illnesses due to the cabin’s dry air, accommodating the growth of viruses that thrive on low humidity. Additionally, travelers often refrain from drinking liquids to avoid frequent trips to the bathroom. Yet, it’s important to keep your mucous membranes moist. When they’re dry, they can’t keep germs at bay. A general rule is to drink at least 4 to 8 ounces of water for every hour in the air. Spritzing your face with water helps keep your skin moist. If you’re feeling under the weather, drinking fluids (as much or more than the daily recommended 8–10 glasses) prevents dehydration caused by fever, loosens mucus, keeps your throat moist, and lessens the chance of the virus’s ultimate success. Also travel with Oscillo® for symptoms of flu. Intended to be dissolved under the tongue without water, Oscillo® is ideal for travelers on the go.

5. Travel may bring about anxiety and stress. Will you arrive in time to make your next connection? Nearly everybody has received his or her baggage except you. What if you forgot to bring Aunt Ethel’s present? There’s no doubt that travel can be stressful. Research has shown that stress can increase your susceptibility to the flu virus, and can even increase the severity of flu-like symptoms. Try to reduce stress associated with travel. Be flexible, be prepared and build extra time into your schedule for a more relaxing trip.

6. Travel may disrupt exercise. Time limitations or lack of equipment on trips can cause faithful exercisers to take vacations from workouts. Even nonexercisers may be affected by prolonged sitting in tight quarters. Make an effort to continue exercising on trips. In a study reported in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise,¹ scientists found that exercise may prevent the elderly from getting colds and flu.

7. Travel often disrupts sleep patterns. Unusual travel schedules, early morning or late night activities, travel anxiety and even sleeping in a different bed can lead to lack of sleep. Rapidly crossing time zones can also disrupt a person’s internal clock and cause sleeplessness and fatigue. Get a full night’s sleep to keep your body’s natural defenses at optimum levels.

8. Travel often leads to poor eating habits. Travelers may tend to overeat at family functions or special nights out on the town. They may also undereat when faced with unusual food choices or may skip a meal altogether due to lack of time, motion sickness, or the anxiety of traveling. Additionally, eating late at night can lead to digestive problems and lack of sleep. Make an effort to maintain good eating habits as much as possible when traveling.

References:

1. Kostka, Tomasz, Sophie E. Berthouze, Jean-René Lacour and Marc Bonnefoy. “The symptomatology of upper respiratory tract infections and exercise in elderly people.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 32.1 (2000) 46-51. Print.

What Doctors Say

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:00:56 +0000

Video Testimonial by Physicians

Ken Redcross, MD
Board-Certified Physician, Internal Medicine
Manhattan’s Physicians Group

Albert Levy, MD
Board-Certified Physician, Family Medicine
Manhattan Family Practice

View More Testimonials