Culture and Sensitivity - Anal Swab Tips

Supporting Penis Function Through Yoga!

Dr. Vinod Raina 91% (6502 ratings)
MD - General Medicine
Sexologist, Delhi
Supporting Penis Function Through Yoga!

With yoga schools and classes available practically everywhere in the country, there's no excuse for any person interested in yoga not to dive right in. And men who are interested in maintaining their penis health might want to investigate a little downward facing dog or warrior positions. Yes, practicing yoga can be a good way to support good penis function - and that's something every man values.

An ancient practice

Yoga has been around for centuries, although only in recent decades has it become so widely available in western cultures. Originating in ancient India, yoga actually encompasses a range of mental, physical and spiritual practices. But when a person refers to yoga today, they generally are talking about a form of physical exercise that incorporates meditation and other mental components into it. As opposed to working out with weights at the gym, yoga is more of a low impact form of exercise - although it can also provide a real work-out when required.

Although there is more to yoga than this, most people associate yoga essentially with exercises that emphasize attaining and holding specially designed poses.

The penis connection

And how can yoga benefit penis function? One way is through the potential boosting of testosterone.

Testosterone, as most men know, is a key component of penis function. Higher levels of testosterone are generally associated with greater muscle mass and tone, stronger bones, increased energy, better cardiac health, a strong libido and healthy erections. So maintaining appropriate levels of testosterone is important for a man.

Some studies have indicated that regular yoga practice can help increase or maintain testosterone levels. This becomes especially important as men age, as the natural aging process typically includes some diminishment of testosterone.

How does yoga help?

Yoga is thought to help with testosterone production in several ways.

- De-stressing. One of the major benefits associated with yoga is a lowering of stress levels. Most people come out of a yoga session feeling significantly more relaxed. Consistent practice of yoga helps a person experience that relaxed feeling for a longer period of time and to be able to draw on it more effectively in stressful situations. This is key because stress triggers cortisol production, which in turns lowers testosterone production.

- Sleeping better. People who regularly engage in yoga tend to sleep better, and not only on nights when they've had a yoga class. Sleep deprivation is also associated with decreases in testosterone (and with increases in stress). In addition, being physically tired can have an impact on the sex drive and ability to obtain and maintain erections.

- Weight issues. Regular yoga participation can help a man to lose weight, which not only makes him feel and look better - it also gets his testosterone working up again. Men who are a healthy weight are also less likely to have blood pressure and cardiac issues, which again can have an impact on penis function and health.

In addition, many yoga poses exercise parts of the body that can be of benefit to a man during sex. For example, yoga can help provide flexibility in the pelvis, increase arm strength for greater upper body support during missionary and similar positions, and develop breathing in a way that promotes better stamina.

Of course, yoga alone cannot assist with penis function or penis health. It is sensible for a man to regularly use a top rated penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) just to keep his penis is overall good shape. The best bet is to use a crème that contains both L-arginine and L-carnitine. The former is an amino acid that is part of the process by which nitric oxide is produced, which in turn keeps penile blood vessels open and receptive for increased blood flow. The latter is a neuroprotective ingredient that protects an overused or aggressively-stroked penis from suffering a diminishment of sensation.

In case you have a concern or query regarding sexual health ask a doctor online, you can consult the best sexologist doctor online, & get the answers to your questions.

 

3 people found this helpful

Dr. Sajeev Kumar 91% (40820 ratings)
C.S.C, D.C.H, M.B.B.S
General Physician, Alappuzha
10 Facts About Dreams
What Researchers Have Discovered About Dreams

Dreams can be fascinating, exciting, terrifying or just plain weird. Learn more about some of the things that researchers have discovered in these ten facts about dreams

1. Everybody Dreams
Men do it. Women do it. Even babies do it. We all dream, even those of us who claim not to. In fact, researchers have found that people usually have several dreams each night, each one lasting for between 5 to 20 minutes. During a typical lifetime, people spend an average of six years dreaming!

2. But You Forget Most of Your Dreams
According to estimates by dream researcher J. Allan Hobson, as much as 95 percent of all dreams are quickly forgotten shortly after waking. Why are our dreams so difficult to remember? According to one theory, the changes in the brain that occur during sleep do not support the information processing and storage needed for memory formation to take place. Brain scans of sleeping individuals have shown that the frontal lobes, the area that plays a key role in memory formation, are inactive during REM sleep, the stage in which dreaming occurs.

3. Not All Dreams Are In Color
While approximately 80 percent of all dreams are in color, there are a small percentage of people who claim to only dream in black and white. In studies where dreamers have been awakened and asked to select colors from a chart that match those in their dreams, soft pastel colors are those most frequently chosen.

4. Men and Women Dream Differently
Researchers have found a number of differences between men and women when it comes to the content of their dreams. In one study, men reported more instances of dreaming about aggression than women did. According to dream researcher William Domhoff, women tend to have slightly longer dreams that feature more characters. When it comes to the characters that typically appear in dreams, men dream about other men twice as often as they do about women, while women tend to dream about both sexes equally.

5. Animals Probably Dream
Have you ever watched a sleeping dog wag its tail or move its legs while asleep? While it's hard to say for sure whether the animal is truly dreaming, researchers believe that it is likely that animals do indeed dream. Just like humans, animals go through sleep stages that include cycles of REM and NREM sleep. In one study, a gorilla was taught sign language as a means of communication. At one point, the gorilla signed "sleep pictures" possibly indicating the experience of dreaming.

6. You Can Control Your Dreams
A lucid dream is one in which you are aware that you are dreaming even though you are still asleep. During this type of dream, you can often "direct" or control the content of the dream. Approximately half of all people can remember experiencing at least one instance of lucid dreaming, and some individuals are able to have lucid dreams quite frequently.

7. Negative Emotions Are More Common in Dreams
Over a period of more than forty years, researcher Calvin S. Hall collected more than 50,000 dream accounts from college students. These reports were made available to the public during the 1990s by Hall's student William Domhoff. The dream accounts revealed that many emotions are experienced during dreams including joy, happiness and fear. The most common emotion experienced in dreams was anxiety, and negative emotions in general were much more common than positive ones

8. Blind People Dream
While people who lost their eyesight prior to age five usually do not have visual dreams in adulthood, they still dream. Despite the lack of visuals, the dreams of the blind are just as complex and vivid as those of the sighted. Instead of visual sensations, blind individuals' dreams typically include information from the other senses such as sound, touch, taste, hearing and smell.

9. You Are Paralyzed During Your Dreams
REM sleep, the stage of sleep during which dreaming occurs, is characterized by paralysis of the voluntary muscles. Why? The phenomenon is known as REM atonia and prevents you from acting out your dreams while you're asleep. Basically, because motor neurons are not stimulated, your body does not move.

In some cases, this paralysis can even carry over into the waking state for as long as ten minutes, a condition known as sleep paralysis. Have you ever woken up from a terrifying dream only to find yourself unable to move? While the experience can be frightening, experts advise that it is perfectly normal and should last only a few minutes before normal muscle control returns.

10. Many Dreams Are Universal
While dreams are often heavily influenced by our personal experiences, researchers have found that certain themes are very common across different cultures. For example, people from all over the world frequently dream about being chased, being attacked or falling. Other common dream experiences include school events, feeling frozen and unable to move, arriving late, flying and being naked in public.

References

The Dignity In Seeking Help!

Ms. Annuradha Rakesh 92% (19 ratings)
M.Phil Clinical Psychology, M A Psychology (Clincial Psycholgy), BA Psychology
Psychologist, Delhi
The Dignity In  Seeking Help!

When the will is left with negligible esteem to lean on, it retreats into a downward spiraling free fall called “Depression”.

Also famously referred to as the common cold of psychopathology, depression is just one of the many other widespread mental illnesses.

You must have seen people preoccupied with the concept of perfection. Obsessed to such an extent that perfection becomes the greatest obstruction in living. This is one simplified description of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

There are some children who seem as bright and resplendent as any other, but perform lowly on tests or formal assessments. They get labeled and they feel insulted and dejected. Some of them get coagulated with time into spoilt brats and others hide deep inside a self-inflicted cocoon of passivity and introversion. The beginning here was as ‘learning disability’ and the climax culminated into a ‘temperamental disorder’ (antecedent to possible future personality disorder).

Many couples, sometimes, find it tough maintaining a healthy marital coexistence. They try finding a reason for the same in the other and often end up seeing no point in living together. All that required was just a ‘glimpse into the self’ as a stepping stone into the other, but due to patriarchy ridden beliefs and random external interventions, they totally end up losing each other. Marital discord is one of the significant primary influences that lower the productivity and wellbeing of our young nation.

All of the above mentioned and many more, are examples of debilitating conditions and habits of mind, that when unintervened can expand into disturbing dysfunctions. It leads to loss of satisfaction in life, a rupture in relationships, clouding of perception, faulty decision making and overall shrinkage in quality of Life.

Like any other disorders, mental disorders (better addressed as mental challenges) require expert intervention and help. In spite of adequate awareness many times, people choose to restrain themselves from seeking help, mainly owing to the stigma associated with such “help-seeking behavior”.

This is largely resultant of the dichotomous view existing in the society about the concept of mental illnesses. It’s surprising to find that in spite of this era of postmodernism, such dichotomous view on “illnesses-wellness” exists in the minds of even the educationally enlightened.

I still vividly remember the visage of a client who wanted a complete psychological evaluation of the prospective spouse in order to rule out any possible post-marriage hiccups.

Such misguided trends can readily be attributed to the aggressive marketing strategy adopted by psychopharmacological companies and mental health professionals too, who many a time are tempted to place selfish interests above service.

The truth is that the state of mental illness is just a point, on a continuum connecting mental illness to mental wellness. At a given point in time, a person’s placement on this continuum is dependent on ’n’ number of factors.

Broadly speaking, this can be any combination of the following:

1. Psychological/cognitive make-up, of the individual ( childhood experiences, learning from the environment, parenting, attachment pattern, object relations, own exploration and consequences, kind of influence gathered from interactions, idiosyncratic experiences, individualized traits etc.).

2. Social aspects (society, culture, rules & regulations, taboos, do’s and don’ts and the desirables, political environment etc.).

3. Biological & genetic aspects (hormonal imbalance, neurotransmitters, neurobiological dysfunctions etc.).

Together these factors are called the “Bio-Psycho-Social” factors.

It is the dynamic interaction involving unpredictable permutations and combinations of the above mentioned predominant factors that result in the cross-sectional disposition of any given individual at any particular point in time.

If you analyze with a scientific attitude to enquire, we find that most of the factors that lead to either illnesses or wellness are outside the preview of conscious manipulation by the individual.

Another interesting fact is that many a time the vulnerability for a mental breakdown (technically called ‘predisposition’ in clinical psychology) is expressed mostly in an environment favorable for its appearance. In a lighter vein; for example, many never know they have the capacity to get physically aggressive until they marry. ( Of course, this is no ground for an excuse, and people deservingly get booked for domestic violence).

The point I want to make is, anyone who takes inordinate pride in being mentally resilient should keep in mind that, it might just be a matter of the appropriate circumstance not arriving, that your vulnerability still remains unexposed.

Hence the issue is not whether one has a vulnerability or not. The takeaway point is that having vulnerability is natural. It's a proof; that you are not a robot and you are a human being who can feel, get stuck between the wheels of emotions and can break down at times.

The good news is that every break down can still be a resilience-building exercise, contributing not only in making a person immune, but also capable of being sensitive to such vulnerabilities in others and supporting them in ‘seeking help’.

Let’s have this holistic understanding of mental illnesses. Let’s start seeing it as a natural sign of being human. Let’s also seek help, assist in seeking help and dispel all myths and stigma associated with “mental illnesses’ and “help-seeking behavior”. At finally, let’s appreciate the courage involved in it, and promote the dignity of “help-seeking behavior”.

1 person found this helpful

What Are The Health Risks Associated With Obesity?

F.A.S.M.B.S, F.A.C.S, MBBS
Oncologist,
What Are The Health Risks Associated With Obesity?

 

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess fat gets accumulated in the body, so much so that it has an adverse effect on one’s health. Anyone with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher is considered to be obese. People who are obese or overweight are at a much greater risk of developing serious conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoarthritis. However, not everyone who is obese has these problems. A family history of health conditions and the accumulation of weight across the different parts of the body are factors that may also increase one’s risk of developing serious conditions.

The following are the health risks associated with obesity:

1. High Blood Pressure-

Being overweight or obese can contribute to high blood pressure in several ways. When there is an increase in body weight, it puts more pressure on the circulatory system to move the blood around the body. Obesity is also attributed to higher cholesterol levels, especially when there is weight accumulation in an area. For example, if the weight gain is in the abdominal area it can lead to thickening and stiffening of arteries in this area. This is a result of plaque deposition in the walls of the blood vessels which further increases blood pressure.

2. Diabetes-
Being obese puts one at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes is usually common in adults but is now occurring in children too given the increase in obesity rates. Being obese can cause the resistance of insulin, a hormone that is essential for the regulation of blood sugar levels. When the body becomes insulin resistant, it leads to lesser or no absorption of sugar in the blood resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. Obesity can also decrease insulin sensitivity, causing a condition called prediabetes which almost eventually develops into type 2 diabetes.

3. Heart Disease-
The chances of developing heart disease are 10 times higher in people who are obese compared to those who are not. Conditions like atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) and coronary artery disease are more prevalent in obese people due to fatty deposits and plaque buildup in the arteries. This leads to narrowed arteries and reduced blood flow to the heart and can cause chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. Sometimes, the narrowed arteries can also form blood clots that result in a stroke.

4. Joint Problems-
Even a slight change in body weight can affect one’s bone and joint health. Being overweight can contribute to joint problems largely in two major ways. Firstly, the excess weight can put additional stress on the weight-bearing joints (such as knees) causing more wear and tear. Secondly, the inflammatory factors associated with obesity can also trigger problems in the joints and contribute to conditions like osteoarthritis. Even losing a little weight can help by improving mobility and bone health of the joints.

5. Sleep Apnea-
Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder that is characterized by repetitive interruption of sleep for about 10 seconds or more. This causes the reduction of oxygen in the blood and may also wake the patient up from time to time. The most common cause for the development of sleep apnea is obesity. Being overweight leads to the development of soft tissue present in the mouth and throat. When the patient is sleeping, the muscles of the throat and tongue are more relaxed and the soft tissue may block the airways, causing an episode. The chances of sleep apnea are higher in people who have an accumulation of fat in areas of the neck and trunk.

6. Psychological Effects-
Apart from giving rise to chronic conditions, being obese can play havoc on one’s mental health too. In a culture where being thin and slim is objectified as the perfect or ideal body type, people who are obese often face issues of inferiority. Psychological issues arising from being overweight can include low self-esteem, anxiety, depression. Being obese is also a trigger for eating disorders such as binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia.

Source: Medanta.Org

5 people found this helpful

Medico Legal Aspect of Sex Therapy

Dr. Ramesh Maheshwari Pune 90% (6376 ratings)
MD-Dermatology, MBBS
Sexologist, Pune
Medico Legal Aspect of Sex Therapy

 

Medico legal aspects of sex therapy

Introduction

Sex and human sexuality are sensitive subject. To deal effectively with any problem of human sexuality, one has to constantly evaluate its merits and demerits from social, scientific, moral, ethical and most importantly from the legal angle. Following are some of the guidelines for therapist to keep in mind while dealing with clients with sexual problems.

Consent

Taking informed and expressed consent is of utmost importance while managing any patient. Examining and / or treating a patient without consent would amount to assault and battery which is punishable under criminal law irrespective of absence of negligence or successful outcome of treatment. The consent should be free willed, informed, intelligent, specific and express. Person giving consent should be competent to do so, failing which, consent should be obtained from the lawful guardian of the patient (in cases of minor and/or mentally retarded).

Examinition of a female client

Besides obtaining a valid consent, in case of female patient, the therapist should always have a female assistant present when examining a female patient this is important for the therapist in order to protect himself from a possible charge of indecent behaviour molestation or even sexual offence like rape ect. Being llevelled against him. Mere presence of husband or any male companion of the female patient is not enough. A sex therapist, in particular, is most vulnerable and therefore should be most careful.

Use of surrogate partners

Use of surrogate partners for sex therapy is questionable both ethically as well as legally. Sexual involvement of the therapist is universally accepted as unethical. There have been a number of cases where the therapists themselves, having acted as surrogates, have been punished for sexual molestion of their patients. It may also invite a criminal charge of adultery in some countries, including india. There are cases on record where the therapists have been charged with and convicted of rape.

Unlike some other countries, the socio cultural set up in india is different. The laws governing sexual behaviour are neither liberal nor evolved as much as in some of the western countries. Besides, surrogacy is likened to prostitution by many. Even if one were to consider surrogate partner as a therapist, then the ethical code prevents a sexual relationship with a client. Moreover, there is every possibility of a disease being transmitted. Particularly the hiv infection, in view of sex with multiple partners by a surrogate person.

Therapist should have uppermost in mind the special values of intimacy and love that our culture teaches us to nurture.

Professional competency

It is the ethical responsibility of every sex therapist to maintain high standards of professional competence and integrity. Competence without integrity or integrity without competence is an unsatisfactory compromise of professionalism. It is most important to protect the public and the other professionals from persons who represent themselves as sex therapists who are in fact lacking in competence and intergrity.

Competence in another primary discipline such as psychology, psychiatry or counselling is not equivalent to competence in sex therapy.

A sex therapist should possess adequate knowledge of the following:

 

1. Sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology.

2. Developmental sexuality from a psychobiological point of view.

3. Marital, family and interpersonal relationship and socio-cultural factors in sexual values

4. Physiological and medical factors that may influence sexual functions such as pregnancy, contraception and fertility, illness, disability, medications.

5. Multimodel techniques and theory of sex therapy and psychotherapy.

6. Pharmacology of the medications used to treat sexual dysfunctions particularly with respect to their adverse effects and interactions with the drugs being consumed for other ailments.

7. Ethical issues in sex therapy and principles of evaluation and referral.

8. Laws related to sexual behaviour.

 

 

Points to bear in mind

 

all forms of sex therapy which violate the local laws should be handled with care recommending oral sex as a part of therapy is violative of section 377 of the indian penal code which deal with unnatural sexual offences.

the hippocratic oath forbids the physician to take advantage of the therapeutic context in order to engage in either homosexual or heterosexual relationship.

it is a universal rule that whenever dealing with reproductive functions is involved, express consent of both the spouses should be obtained.

proof of competence is the ability to provide objective and responsible services to the clients.

there does exist a potential liability under the laws of the land prohibiting consensual conduct such as prostitution, fornication, lewd and lascivious behaviour and adultery which might arise from therapeutic or non- therapeutic sex research activities.

sex between therapist and client is always unethical. No matter how therapeutic the rationale might appear, there is no justification for a therapist having sex with a client. The purpose of sex therapy is to improve function, not to change values or beliefs of the client.

3 people found this helpful

Circumcision - The Need, The Procedure & Recovery!

MBBS, MS - General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FBMS
General Surgeon, Pune
Circumcision - The Need, The Procedure & Recovery!

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin in the male genitalia. This procedure is common for newly born baby boys. However, the procedure is widely popular due to religious and cultural traditions, but it is only recommended when it is medically necessary.

Why it is Done

Circumcision is a religious or spiritual culture for Islamic and Jewish families. It can be a matter of personal hygiene or preventive health care.

Sometimes it can also be performed in case of some medical needs like urinary tract infections, penile problems, or if the foreskin of penis is too tight to be retracted. It also decreases the chances of sexually transmitted disease or penile cancer.

Benefits of Circumcision:

There are some health benefits of circumcision. For example:

  1. Genital hygiene becomes simpler.

  2. UTI risk reduction.

  3. Penile cancer risk reduction.

  4. STD risks, both male-to-female and female-to-male reduction.

  5. Prevents balanitis, phimosis or paraphimosis.

Procedure of Circumcision:

When the right procedure is followed, circumcision is more than just a snip to the foreskin. Here are the basic steps of the procedure:

  1. Topical anesthesia is administered.

  2. The foreskin is separated from the glans (in case of a younger person).

  3. Dead cells holding the foreskin and glans together (smegma) is removed.

  4. Foreskin is put back in position, covering the glans.

  5. The foreskin is then snipped with scissors on the upper part.

  6. Another snip is made on the underside.

  7. The foreskin at the rim of the coronal groove is cut.

  8. The edges of the foreskin are stretched.

  9. Absorbable stitches are used to tie blood vessels.

  10. Edges of the foreskin are suture to complete the procedure.

This process is beneficial. However, aftercare must be taken very seriously to avoid further injury or infection.

Post Circumcision Recovery:

The recovery time after circumcision is at least 7-10 days. People can take up to a month to heal from the wounds. Here are the things to keep in mind:

  1. It can take up to 24 hours for light bleeding to stop and normal urination abilities to return.

  2. During this time the patient needs to be at rest and not participate in activities such as sports and avoid transport.

  3. The lubricating dressing falls off on its own in 24 hours. It should not be removed with force.

  4. Antibiotics and pain relief medicines should be taken as prescribed.

  5. Cosmetic products must be avoided for a week.

  6. Tight-fitting clothes must be avoided. Loose clothes should be ready for the patient to wear after surgery.

  7. Sex and masturbation must be avoided until total healing, which may take up to two months.

  8. Plenty of water must be consumed to avoid acidic urination that can cause a burning sensation.

  9. For the first two weeks, spicy food should be avoided in order to ensure bowel movement is normal and does not strain on the area where surgery was performed.

Risk Factors:

If not done from a certified medical surgeon, circumcision can be risky in the following ways:

  1. Injury to the penis.

  2. Infection.

  3. Hemorrhage.

  4. Entrapment of penis in scar tissues.

  5. Erectile dysfunction or loss of libido.

Conclusion:

Circumcision, therefore, must be performed if it is required due to health reasons, and only by a certified surgeon, following the proper medical procedures.

2689 people found this helpful

Homeopathy For Acute And Chronic Bronchitis!

Dr. Maruboina Ramakrishna 90% (871 ratings)
BHMS & MD, MCAH
Homeopathy Doctor, Vijayawada
Homeopathy For Acute And Chronic Bronchitis!

Cause and symptoms of bronchitis with details of indicated homeopathy remedies.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the main bronchial tubes-the bronchi-caused by a bacterial or viral infection. It may develop suddenly, following a head cold (acute bronchitis), or it may persist or return regularly over many years, causing progressive degeneration of the bronchi and lungs (chronic bronchitis).
Certain people are more susceptible than others. Men are more likely to develop the condition than women; the reasons for this are unclear.
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, such as the rhino virus, which causes the common cold, although sometimes it may be caused by bacteria such as Chlamydia.
Acute bronchitis can last from several days to several weeks. People are more likely to develop acute bronchitis if they have had a recurrent respiratory illness like cold, have other lung diseases like asthma or cystic fibrosis, or are cigarette smokers.
A patient comes with a history of irritating, unproductive cough, with discomfort behind the sternum, associated with tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing for two to three days. Cough, he says, has gradually become productive with greenish yellow sputum and has a mild fever.
On auscultation, one finds an occasional crackle with wheeze and blood examination shows neutrophilic leucocytosis. In an otherwise healthy person, without the patient being seriously ill, the whole episode can improve within 4-8 days.
It is either because of bacterial or viral infection, from nasal sinuses or throat. Or this attack can be a complication of measles, whooping cough, etc. and inhalation of dust, gases like SO2, or pollens or organic dust.
Chronic bronchitis, part of the spectrum of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is the more serious disease; it is defined as persistent cough sputum (the liquid secretion that comes up from the lungs when a person coughs) on most days for at least three months and for at least two successive years.

It is a slowly progressive type of COPD, limiting airflow in the lungs and causing a chronic cough and difficulty breathing due to shortness of breath.

  • Infection (bacterial or viral)
  • Dust
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Pollens
  • Weakened immune system
  • Frequent exposure to lung irritants
  • Association with complicating diseases

On the basis of duration of disease, it is divided into two types -

  • Acute bronchitis
  • Chronic bronchitis

 

  1. Toxemic symptoms – malaise, fever, palpitation, sweating, etc
  2. Irritative symptoms – cough with expectoration, at first scanty, viscid sputum, later more copious and mucopurulent, substernal pain or raw sensation under the sternum.
  3. Obstructive symptoms – chocked up feeling, paroxysms of dyspnoea, particularly following spells of coughing relieved by expectoration.
  4. Cough lasts more than 5 days
  5. Usually self-limited resolves in 2–3 weeks
  6. Runny nose and sore throat (likely symptoms of the preceding or simultaneous URI)
  7. Chest pain and difficulty in breathing.
  8. Headache
  9. General weakness
  10. Body ache.
  11. Fever may present.

Signs of acute bronchitis – in early stages few abnormal signs apart from occasional ronchi, after 2-3 days diffuse, bilateral ronchi, often with rales at the bases, prolonged expiration and an expiratory wheeze
Causes of acute bronchitis
Viruses which cause an upper respiratory infection like coryza, cold are responsible for 90% of cases of acute bronchitis. These include -

  • Influenza A and B
  • Parainfluenza
  • Adenovirus
  • RSV
  • Rhinovirus
  • Coronavirus

Environmental etiologies -

  • Tobacco
  • Dust
  • Air pollution
  • Fumes
  • vapors

Diagnosis of acute bronchitis -

  • History of upper respiratory infections and clinical symptoms are sufficient to make a diagnosis.
  • Wheezing may be heard on chest examination.

Diagnosis of acute bronchitis -
Diagnosis of acute bronchitis is based on a suggestive history and a physical examination. Neither blood cell counts nor sputum analyses are particularly diagnostic in otherwise healthy patients. Chest radiography may be helpful in distinguishing bacterial bronchitis from pneumonia.
Patients with recurrent bouts of acute bronchitis should be evaluated for possible asthma. This evaluation would include pulmonary function testing.
Patient with persistent symptoms in the course of presumed viral bronchitis should be evaluated to determine possible underlying etiologies. Sputum culture might prove useful in these circumstances.
Chronic bronchitis does not have a sudden onset and is most frequently caused by long term and repeated irritation of the bronchial tubes. Irritated and inflamed bronchial tubes are more prone to be infected.
A case if bronchitis is considered “chronic” if symptoms continue for three months or longer. Bronchitis caused by allergies can also be classified as chronic bronchitis.

Causes of chronic bronchitis -

  • Smoking is the major cause of chronic bronchitis
  • Repeated exposure to harmful fumes at the workplace.
  • Air pollution

SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC BRONCHITIS -
1. Cough – constant, paroxysmal, worse in winter or on exposure to cold winds or sudden change in temperature.
2. Expectoration – variable, may be little, thin or mucoid, or thick or frothy, mucoid and sticky. May become mucopurulent during attacks of chronic bronchitis in winter.
3. Dyspnoea – in advanced cases, breathing becomes quick and wheezing present even at rest.
4. Fever- absent except in acute exacerbation.
5. Haemoptysis – usually in the form of streaks of blood.

SIGNS OF CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
(a) Build –
usually short and stocky, (b) Cyanosis – rarely with clubbing. Signs of airway obstruction- prolonged expiration, pursing of lips during expiration, contraction of expiratory muscles during respiration, fixation of scapulae by clamping the arms at the beside, jugular venous distension during expiration, widespread wheeze of variable pitch usually most marked in expiration.

Who are at risk for chronic bronchitis?

  • Smoking and having an existing lung disease
  • Contact with dust, chemical fumes, and vapors from certain jobs also increases risk for the condition. Examples include jobs in coal mining, textile manufacturing, grain handling, and livestock farming.
  • Air pollution, infections, and allergies can worsen the symptoms of chronic bronchitis, especially if a person smokes.

Investigations in case of chronic bronchitis -
Ventilatory indices – reduced PEF and VC
Chest radiograph – may be normal, infected episodes may produce patchy shadows, of irregular distribution due to pneumonic consolidation and small line fibrotic scarring may result.
1. Sputum culture -
Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using a holistic approach.
This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering.
The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat bronchitis but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several remedies are available to treat bronchitis that can be selected on the basis of cause, sensations and modalities of the complaints.
For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person. There are following homeopathic remedies which are helpful in the treatment of bronchitis:
Aconite nap – an excellent remedy for acute bronchitis; hoarse, dry, croupy cough, loud, labored breathing; cough worse at night or after midnight; constant pressure in the left chest; shortness of breast; stitches through the left chest; tingling in the chest after cough; great anxiety and restlessness associated with complains.

2. Aralia racemosa -

  • Dry cough coming on after first sleep, about the middle of the night.
  • Asthma on lying down at night with spasmodic cough.
  • worse after first sleep, with tickling in throat.
  • Constriction of chest; feels as if a foreign body were in throat.
  • Obstruction worse in spring. Hay-fever; frequent sneezing.
  • Rawness and burning behind the sternum.
  • The least current of air causes sneezing, with copious watery, excoriating nasal discharge, of a salty acrid taste.

Bryonia Alba – Great remedy for bronchitis; dry cough hurting the head and distant parts of the body with fever and great thirst of large quantity of water at large intervals; free expectoration in the morning and worse in warm room; hoarseness worse in open air; frequent desire to take long breath; to expand
Lungs; cough dry at night; must sit up; worse after eating and drinking; difficult respiration worse after every movement.

Drosera – important remedy for the cases of chronic bronchitis with spasmodic cough; dry Irritative cough; worse after midnight; yellow expectoration; difficulty in taking solid food.
Spongia tosta

  • A remedy especially marked in the symptoms of the respiratory organs, cough, croup, etc.
  • Anxiety and difficult breathing.
  • Great dryness of all air-passages.
  • Hoarseness; larynx dry, burns, constricted.
  • Cough, dry, barking, croupy; larynx sensitive to touch.
  • Croup; worse, during inspiration and before midnight.
  • Respiration short, panting, difficult; feeling of a plug in the larynx.
  • Cough abates after eating or drinking, especially warm drinks.
  • Chest weak; can scarcely talk.
  • Oppression and heat of chest, with sudden weakness.

Antim Ars – remedy for bronchitis; when the breathing is hard, rapid, and wheezy; rattling with marked dyspnoea and restlessness.
Squilla – well-known remedy for chronic bronchitis of old people; dyspnoea and stitches in chest; violent, furious, exhausting cough with much mucus; profuse, salty, slimy expectoration; cough provoked by talking; cold drinks, and by taking a deep breath; sneezing with coughing.
Ipecauc – excellent remedy for bronchitis of infants; a sense of suffocation; cough with loud wheezing; chest seems full of phlegm; yearly attacks of shortness of breath; great nausea.
Rumex– dry teasing cough, preventing sleep; aggravated by pressure, talking, and by inhaling cold air, and at night; thin watery, frothy expectoration by the mouthfuls, soreness behind sternum.

Sangunaria can

  • Odema of larynx. Trachea sore.
  • Heat and tension behind the sternum.
  • Cough of gastric origin; relieved by eructation.
  • Cough, with burning pain in chest; worse, right side.
  • Sputum tough, rust-colored, offensive, almost impossible to raise.
  • Spasmodic cough after influenza and after whooping-cough.
  • Cough returns with every fresh cold.
  • Tickling behind sternum, causes a constant hacking cough; worse at night on lying down. Must sit up in bed.
  • Burning soreness in right chest, through to right shoulder. Severe soreness under right nipple.
  • sudden stoppage of catarrh of air passages brings on diarrhoea.

Carbo veg– remedy for bronchitis especially for old people; oppressed feeling in chest; spasmodic cough with gagging and vomiting of mucus; bluish face; offensive expectoration

Phosphorus -

  • Hoarseness; worse evenings.
  • Larynx very painful.
  • violent tickling in larynx while speaking.
  • Cannot talk on account of pain in larynx.
  • Cough from tickling in throat; worse, cold air, reading, laughing, talking, from going from warm room into cold air.
  • Sweetish taste while coughing.
  • Hard, dry, tight, racking cough.
  • Burning pains, heat and oppression of chest.
  • Tightness across chest; great weight on chest.
  • Much heat in chest.
  • Whole body trembles, with cough.
  • Sputa rusty, blood-colored, or purulent.
  • Pain in throat on coughing.
  • Nervous coughs provoked by strong odors, entrance of a stranger; worse in the presence of strangers; worse lying upon left side; in cold room.

Other important medicines for bronchitis mainly include- Antim tart, phosphorous, Hepar Sulph. Capsicum, Sulphur, Tuberculinum, Sticta, kali-bi; Mercurius, arsenic album, Pulsatilla, Ledum pal, kali Sulph, ammonium carb and many other medicines

10 people found this helpful

Ghee - The Amazing Benefits Of It!

Dr. Ganapati Sahoo 88% (1120 ratings)
MD - Alternate Medicine, PGDIP.IN Geriatric Care, Post Graduate Diploma In Holistic Healthcare
Ayurvedic Doctor, Balasore
Ghee - The Amazing Benefits Of It!

Ghee is greatly revered in the Indian culture and has been used in the medical science of Ayurveda for thousands of years. This very versatile substance may be used internally as food and as medicine; or used externally as a skin moisturizer. Ayurveda teaches us that the consumption of ghee offers a wide range of benefits, including clarity of mind and sound digestion.

The Charaka Samhita, one of the classical texts of Ayurveda, says that “the intake of ghee is prescribed for those whose bodily constitution is dominated by vata and pitta, who are suffering from diseases due to the vitiation of vata and pitta, those desirous of good eye sight; the old, children, the weak, those desirous of longevity, those desirous of strength, good complexion, voice, nourishment, progeny, tenderness of the body, luster, ojas [life-sustaining vitality], memory, intelligence, power of digestion, wisdom, proper functioning of sense organs, and those afflicted with injuries due to burns. Ghee is commonly used as an offering in puja (holy Hindu ceremony) and homa (fire ceremony). Ghee is an important factor in Ayurvedic cleansing therapies, while also being highly beneficial during rejuvenation therapy. 

Health Benefits of Ghee 

  1. Increases Digestion. Possibly the most well-known health property of ghee is the fact that it is an amazing agent for enhancing the digestive power. Ghee stimulates the secretion of stomach acids and in turn increases our ability to break down food. Ghee also removes toxins and promotes elimination, both of which will help to increase one’s overall digestive capacity. 
  2. Enhances the absorption of nutrients. Ghee not only helps to break down food matter, but also increases the ability of the intestinal wall to absorb vital nutrients. Since most individuals have a deficiency of these fundamental nutrients, this essentially improves one’s health and wellness. 
  3. Enhances the healing properties of herbs. In Ayurvedic medicine, ghee goes way beyond a dietary ingredient. Ghee is a well know catalystic agent (anupana), which has the ability to drive the healing properties of the herbs down into the deep tissues. This in turn will enhance their effectiveness and healing potency. 
  4. Increases vital Ojas in the body. Ojas is the subtle energetic force that is responsible for one’s energy, vitality and immunity. A person with healthy Ojas is soft, gentle, compassionate and patient. Ojas is also responsible for a healthy luster of the skin as well as a strong, healthy libido. Ghee will enhance all of these qualities when taken consistently in proper proportions. 
  5. Heals the intestinal wall. Ghee is one of the highest sources of butyrate acid, a short-chain fatty acid. This healthy fatty acid is vital in the health of the intestinal wall, as it nourishes, heals and reduces inflammation of the gut wall making it ideal for disorders such as “leaky gut syndrome”, IBS, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Butyrate acid is balancing to the gut flora and is beneficial for reducing Candida overgrowth and other unwanted pathogens. 
  6. Reduces the risk of colon cancer. Butyrate acid has been proven to be preventative to colon cancer, as it increases the healthy bacteria in the colon, removes the unhealthy one and is responsible for the growth and regulation of colon cells. Ghee in general aids in healthy elimination as well. These are all components for optimal colon health. 
  7. Lubricates the body, externally and internally. Ghee is a well-known treatment in Ayurveda for relieving dryness in the body, as it is oily and moisturizing by nature. Whether taken internally or applied externally, ghee has the ability to nourish and lubricate the tissues on a cellular level. This reduces dry skin, dry colon (constipation), inflammation and stiff joints while increasing luster, flexibility and promoting healthy elimination. 
  8. Promotes the elimination of toxins stored in the body. Ghee is traditionally used to remove deep-rooted physical and mental toxins during an Ayurvedic cleansing. It is a vital step in the preparatory phase (purva karma) of the cleanse, as well as during the cleanse itself. By taking ghee in large doses prior to the cleanse, it “loosens” the deep-rooted toxins from the tissues which allows them to be eliminated through purgation, etc. Without this, the removal of toxins will only be on a superficial level. 
  9. Essential for rejuvenation therapy. Although ghee is used to aid in cleansing, it is just as vital for the rebuilding and regeneration of the tissues as well. In times of depletion, weakness and debility , ghee is an amazing medicine for increasing energy, strength, immunity, vitality and stamina. Ghee can be mixed with rejuvenating herbs, mixed with honey or simply added to each meal. 
  10. Nourishes the brain and nervous system. Ghee is known as a “medhya” substance as it increases mental reception, intellect and memory. It is beneficial for mental and emotional imbalances, as well as a depleted, sensitive nervous system. Since fat is needed in order to break the blood/brain barrier, taking brain nourishing herbs along with the ghee will only enhance these mentally boosting benefits. 
  11. Powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Ghee possesses powerful anti-inflammatory agents making this a necessary medicine for allergies, arthritis and autoimmune conditions. Chronic inflammation can cause premature aging, pain, swelling, burning, stagnation and irritation. When left untreated, inflammation soon leads to destructive disorders such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and autoimmune conditions.

The above mentioned qualities of Ghee prove why it should be a part of the meal of every person irrespective of the age group he/she belongs.

5689 people found this helpful

What Is Influenza ?

Dr. Sathish Erra 93% (21083 ratings)
BHMS, Diploma in Dermatology
Sexologist, Hyderabad
What Is Influenza ?

What is influenza?

Influenza is a virus which causes cough or sore throat accompanied by a fever. This virus is spread from person-to-person through saliva and mucus droplets often formed when coughing or sneezing. These droplets can also contaminate surfaces frequently touched, such as doorknobs, doors, and countertops. Sharing items like mobile and laptops can also spread the virus.

Types:

Three types of flu viruses exist
-Influenza 1
-Influenza 2
-Influenza 3

Types A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics that hit the United States and Europe virtually every winter. The type C influenza virus causes mild respiratory illness and is not responsible for outbreaks.

Causes:

Flu viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.

People with the virus are likely contagious from the day or so before symptoms first appear until about five days after symptoms begin, though sometimes people are contagious for as long as 10 days after symptoms appear. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for a slightly longer time.

Influenza viruses are constantly changing, with new strains appearing regularly. If you've had influenza in the past, your body has already made antibodies to fight that particular strain of the virus. If future influenza viruses are similar to those you've encountered before, either by having the disease or by vaccination, those antibodies may prevent infection or lessen its severity.

But antibodies against flu viruses you've encountered in the past can't protect you from new influenza subtypes that can be very different immunologically from what you had before.

Symptoms:

Confusing flu with a bad cold is common. Flu and cold symptoms may both include a runny/blocked nose, sore throat, and cough.

To help you tell them apart, below are some symptoms of flu that are different from a heavy cold:

-high temperature
-cold sweats and shivers
-headache
-aching joints and limbs
-fatigue, feeling exhausted

*Early symptoms of flu:

Often, fatigue is one of the earliest signs of flu and cold. With flu, the fatigue is often more extreme. Other early symptoms can include cough, sore throat, fever, body ache, chills, and gastrointestinal Changes.

Diagnosis:

Since the symptoms of an influenza infection are different from the common cold, the diagnosis can be made fairly quickly. Your doctor will be able to tell that you have the flu if you have at least some or most of these symptoms:

  • aches and pains everywhere, especially in the back and legs

  • bad headache

  • burning sensation in the chest

  • dry cough at first, then bringing up sputum

  • high fever

  • nausea and possible vomiting

  • sore throat

  • runny or stuffy nose

Role Of Homeopathy In Influenza:

It is evident that homeopathic medicines provide very good results in treating as well as preventing the disease called flu or influenza. ... Some of the important flu remedies are Aconite, Belladona, Bryonia, Rhus Toxicodendron, Gelsemium etc. It should be noted that patients should avoid self medication.

Foods to eat:

Food is what gives your body the energy and nutrients it needs to function. Such effects are equally vital when you have the flu. Still, it’s all about eating the right foods for your condition.

Consider eating the following foods when you have the flu.

1. Broth
Whether you prefer chicken, beef, or vegetable, broth is one of the best things you can eat when you have the flu. You can eat it as soon as your symptoms begin and until you have fully recovered.

Broth helps prevent dehydration, and the warm elements can help soothe a sore throat and relieve congestion.

2. Chicken soup
Chicken soup combines the benefits of broth along with additional ingredients. Cut-up chicken provides your body with iron and protein, and you’ll also gain nutrients from carrots, herbs, and celery.

You can eat chicken soup throughout the duration of the flu to help keep you hydrated and satiated; just be sure to watch the salt content.

3. Garlic
While you might think of garlic as a food-flavoring agent, it’s actually been used in alternative medicine for a variety of ailments for centuries. One study of garlic supplements in adults with the flu found enhanced immunity and reduced symptom severity.

You don’t necessarily have to take supplements, though. Eating raw garlic may also be beneficial. Due to the immune-enhancing effects, consider eating garlic at the first signs of the flu.

4. Yogurt
Yogurt with live cultures not only can help soothe a sore throat but can also boost your immune system, according to a study of mice reported in the journal International Immunopharmacology. Yogurt also contains protein.

You can eat yogurt while your throat is sore, but just be sure to choose whole yogurts without any added sugars.

5. Vitamin C–containing fruits
Vitamin C is an important nutrient to help boost your immune system, which is especially important when you’re sick. While supplements can help, your body can absorb nutrients like vitamin C more effectively from the foods you eat.

Consider snacking on vitamin C–rich fruits while you have the flu. Some fruits high in vitamin C include strawberries, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.

6. Leafy greens
Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens can also help boost your immune system when you have the flu. They have both vitamin C and vitamin E, another immune-enhancing nutrient.

Consider combining leafy greens with fruit in a smoothie, or eat them raw with a drizzle of lemon and olive oil. It’s best to eat these immune-boosting foods throughout the duration of your illness.

7. Broccoli
Broccoli is a nutrient powerhouse that can benefit your body when you have the flu. Eating just one serving will provide immune-boosting vitamins C and E, along with calcium and fiber.

Consider eating broccoli when your appetite returns toward the middle or end of the flu. You can also eat broccoli soup; just remember to check the sodium content.

8. Oatmeal
When you’re sick, a hot bowl of oatmeal can be a soothing, nutritious food choice. Oatmeal, like other whole grains, is also a natural source of immune-boosting vitamin E. It also contains polyphenol antioxidants as well as immune-strengthening beta-glucan fiber.

Choose whole oats for the most benefits.

9. Spices
Toward the end of the flu, you might have increased sinus and chest congestion. Certain spices, such as pepper and horseradish, can help break up congestion so you can breathe better. However, avoid spicy foods when you have a sore throat.

what Is Influenza ?

Dr. Ramakrishna Chanduri 87% (5406 ratings)
BHMS
Homeopath, Hyderabad

What is influenza?

Influenza is a virus which causes cough or sore throat accompanied by a fever. This virus is spread from person-to-person through saliva and mucus droplets often formed when coughing or sneezing. These droplets can also contaminate surfaces frequently touched, such as doorknobs, doors, and countertops. Sharing items like mobile and laptops can also spread the virus.

Types:

Three types of flu viruses exist
-Influenza 1
-Influenza 2
-Influenza 3

Types A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics that hit the United States and Europe virtually every winter. The type C influenza virus causes mild respiratory illness and is not responsible for outbreaks.

Causes:

Flu viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.

People with the virus are likely contagious from the day or so before symptoms first appear until about five days after symptoms begin, though sometimes people are contagious for as long as 10 days after symptoms appear. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for a slightly longer time.

Influenza viruses are constantly changing, with new strains appearing regularly. If you've had influenza in the past, your body has already made antibodies to fight that particular strain of the virus. If future influenza viruses are similar to those you've encountered before, either by having the disease or by vaccination, those antibodies may prevent infection or lessen its severity.

But antibodies against flu viruses you've encountered in the past can't protect you from new influenza subtypes that can be very different immunologically from what you had before.

Symptoms:

Confusing flu with a bad cold is common. Flu and cold symptoms may both include a runny/blocked nose, sore throat, and cough.

To help you tell them apart, below are some symptoms of flu that are different from a heavy cold:

-high temperature
-cold sweats and shivers
-headache
-aching joints and limbs
-fatigue, feeling exhausted

*Early symptoms of flu:

Often, fatigue is one of the earliest signs of flu and cold. With flu, the fatigue is often more extreme. Other early symptoms can include cough, sore throat, fever, body ache, chills, and gastrointestinal Changes.

Diagnosis:

Since the symptoms of an influenza infection are different from the common cold, the diagnosis can be made fairly quickly. Your doctor will be able to tell that you have the flu if you have at least some or most of these symptoms:

  • aches and pains everywhere, especially in the back and legs

  • bad headache

  • burning sensation in the chest

  • dry cough at first, then bringing up sputum

  • high fever

  • nausea and possible vomiting

  • sore throat

  • runny or stuffy nose

Role Of Homeopathy In Influenza:

It is evident that homeopathic medicines provide very good results in treating as well as preventing the disease called flu or influenza. ... Some of the important flu remedies are Aconite, Belladona, Bryonia, Rhus Toxicodendron, Gelsemium etc. It should be noted that patients should avoid self medication.

Foods to eat:

Food is what gives your body the energy and nutrients it needs to function. Such effects are equally vital when you have the flu. Still, it’s all about eating the right foods for your condition.

Consider eating the following foods when you have the flu.

1. Broth
Whether you prefer chicken, beef, or vegetable, broth is one of the best things you can eat when you have the flu. You can eat it as soon as your symptoms begin and until you have fully recovered.

Broth helps prevent dehydration, and the warm elements can help soothe a sore throat and relieve congestion.

2. Chicken soup
Chicken soup combines the benefits of broth along with additional ingredients. Cut-up chicken provides your body with iron and protein, and you’ll also gain nutrients from carrots, herbs, and celery.

You can eat chicken soup throughout the duration of the flu to help keep you hydrated and satiated; just be sure to watch the salt content.

3. Garlic
While you might think of garlic as a food-flavoring agent, it’s actually been used in alternative medicine for a variety of ailments for centuries. One study of garlic supplements in adults with the flu found enhanced immunity and reduced symptom severity.

You don’t necessarily have to take supplements, though. Eating raw garlic may also be beneficial. Due to the immune-enhancing effects, consider eating garlic at the first signs of the flu.

4. Yogurt
Yogurt with live cultures not only can help soothe a sore throat but can also boost your immune system, according to a study of mice reported in the journal International Immunopharmacology. Yogurt also contains protein.

You can eat yogurt while your throat is sore, but just be sure to choose whole yogurts without any added sugars.

5. Vitamin C–containing fruits
Vitamin C is an important nutrient to help boost your immune system, which is especially important when you’re sick. While supplements can help, your body can absorb nutrients like vitamin C more effectively from the foods you eat.

Consider snacking on vitamin C–rich fruits while you have the flu. Some fruits high in vitamin C include strawberries, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.

6. Leafy greens
Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens can also help boost your immune system when you have the flu. They have both vitamin C and vitamin E, another immune-enhancing nutrient.

Consider combining leafy greens with fruit in a smoothie, or eat them raw with a drizzle of lemon and olive oil. It’s best to eat these immune-boosting foods throughout the duration of your illness.

7. Broccoli
Broccoli is a nutrient powerhouse that can benefit your body when you have the flu. Eating just one serving will provide immune-boosting vitamins C and E, along with calcium and fiber.

Consider eating broccoli when your appetite returns toward the middle or end of the flu. You can also eat broccoli soup; just remember to check the sodium content.

8. Oatmeal
When you’re sick, a hot bowl of oatmeal can be a soothing, nutritious food choice. Oatmeal, like other whole grains, is also a natural source of immune-boosting vitamin E. It also contains polyphenol antioxidants as well as immune-strengthening beta-glucan fiber.

Choose whole oats for the most benefits.

9. Spices
Toward the end of the flu, you might have increased sinus and chest congestion. Certain spices, such as pepper and horseradish, can help break up congestion so you can breathe better. However, avoid spicy foods when you have a sore throat.