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Dealing with symptoms, causes, and risks of cold, cough, and flu

Typically, viruses cause the common cold. This includes head cold, chest cold, and even seasonal flu. Most people tend to simply use over-the-counter medicines to relieve the symptoms, which include a runny nose, cough, as well as congestion. In the following article, we will cover the symptoms, causes, and risks associated with cold, flu, cough, and virus.

Symptoms

Waking up coughing or sneezing are just some of the common symptoms associated with cold, flu, cough, and virus.

Also, it is crucial to figure out the difference between cold and flu. While a cold is mild, the flu can be a little more intense. Here are some of the common symptoms associated with these conditions:

Cold

Cough
Stuffy or runny nose
Low-grade fever
Having frequent body aches
Mild headache

Flu

Runny nose
Body aches or muscle pain
Tiredness
Sore throat

Cough

Stuffy nose
A frequent sensation of throat clearance
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Heartburn

Viral infection, on the other hand, can create a host of symptoms depending on what you contract, but the main symptoms would typically be from the lists above.

Causes

While the causes may seem similar, they differ for all three: cold, flu and cough. Here are the common causes for all of these conditions:

Cold

Rhinovirus
Contraction through towels
Contraction by touching utensils
Touching the nose and mouth

Flu

The main cause of the flu is the influenza virus. It can not only infect the throat and nose but also the lungs. These viruses typically spread when people who have flu, sneeze, talk, or even cough. They can send out the droplets containing the virus in the air ,which are eventually inhaled by others.

Cough

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Blood pressure medicines
Lung cancer
Cystic fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Laryngopharyngeal reflux
Postnasal drip
GERD (Gastro-Intestinal Reflux Disease)
Sarcoidosis

A viral infection, on the other hand, occurs when the body contracts a virus. Hence, the exact cause cannot be specified.

Risks

The risk factors associated with all three conditions include the following:

Cold:

A lot of factors are at play in causing cold. These include a weak immunity, exposure to irritants, seasons, as well as age.

Flu

Flu, on the other hand, may be caused due to an underlying heart disease, obesity, kidney disease, liver disorders, severe anemia, liver disorders, and much more. Even children and adults who receive aspirin therapy may be prone to getting the flu.

Cough

Certain risk factors put you at a higher risk when it comes to cough. These include exposure to industrial fumes, uncontrolled asthma, and being prone to allergies, among others. Additionally, air pollution can increase your chances of getting a cough.

A viral infection can carry a host of risk factors. Most of the time, it depends on your environmental factors, and you catch it accordingly.

We hope that all of the aforementioned aspects help you understand the symptoms, causes, and risks associated with cold, flu, cough, and virus in a much better manner. Now that you are armed with the necessary information, you can definitely try out common home remedies and measures for the same.

Things you should know about multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Due to this disorder, your immune system attacks myelin, which is the protective sheath covering the nerve fibers. As a result, communication between your brain and body is hampered. Causes of multiple sclerosis The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still uncertain. However, some factors that cause this disorder are as follows:Immune systemIf the immune system is compromised, it may attack the CNS. The myelin protective sheath is affected, thereby disrupting the functioning of your brain, resulting in multiple sclerosis.InfectionCertain viruses and bacteria can cause multiple sclerosis. Some viruses cause inflammation that breaks down the myelin, triggering multiple sclerosis. It is possible that brain-cell-like bacteria and viruses can cause the immune system to erroneously identify normal cells as foreign cells, thereby destroying them. Some of the viruses and bacteria that can cause multiple sclerosis include Epstein-Barr virus, measles viruses, and human herpesvirus-6 causing disorders like roseola.GeneticsOne can be highly susceptible to multiple sclerosis if one has a family history of this disorder. The possibility of one developing this disorder in such instances increases by 2.5% to 5% in the country. For an average individual, the possibility is roughly 0.1%. Multiple sclerosis patients are born with genetic susceptibility to unfamiliar environmental agents, which triggers an auto-immune response.Environmental factorsEpidemiologists have noticed a higher number of multiple sclerosis patients in countries that are far from the Equator. This may be a correlation with Vitamin D as it is believed to be highly beneficial for the immune system. Since people living in countries closer to the Equator receive plenty of sunlight, their bodies produce more Vitamin D, which reduces the risk.Symptoms of MSSymptoms vary and depend on the affected nerves and extent of nerve damage. Severe multiple sclerosis patients may be unable to walk independently, while some patients may experience long periods with no symptoms. Some common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:Weakness or numbness in the limbs of one side of the body, or trunk and legsUnsteady gait, trembling, and lack of coordinationLhermitte sign, where you may feel electrical shock-like sensation with neck movements especially while bending forwardIssues with vision, such as partial or complete loss of sight in one eye, experiencing pain while moving the eyes, blurry vision, or long periods of double visionSexual, bladder, and bowel functioning troubleSlurred speechPain or tingling sensation in various parts of the bodyDizzinessFatigue and tirednessRisk factors causing MSAlthough the disorder may appear at any age, people between the ages of 16 and 55 years are more commonly affectedSmokers who may experience MS-like symptoms initially are more likely to relapseWomen are twice or three times more likely to develop multiple sclerosis than men Autoimmune disorders like inflammatory bowel disease or type-1 diabetes can increase the possibility of developing multiple sclerosisCountries with temperate weather conditions see a higher number of multiple sclerosis patientsInfections and lack of Vitamin D can also trigger multiple sclerosis

Hyperkalemia – 10 foods to avoid

Potassium plays a huge role in the health of our heart muscles and nerve cells. And high levels of this element in the blood cause hyperkalemia. If you consume meals high in potassium, your doctor may advise you to decrease portion sizes and concentrate on fruits and vegetables with a lower potassium content. Here is a list of foods rich in potassium that must be avoided if you have hyperkalemia. Yogurt and dairy products A serving of nonfat yogurt weighing eight ounces has roughly 625 mg of potassium, making it one of the dairy aisle's highestÂ sources of potassium. Even reduced fat milk contains 366 mg of potassium in a glass of cow's whole milk. Ricotta and cottage cheese are also high in potassium. Goat cheese is a low potassium food, proving that not all cheeses are made equal. Likewise, About 131 milligrams of potassium may be found in a half cup of vanilla ice cream. Bananas When people consider foods high in potassium, bananas frequently come to mind. A banana normally contains 422 mg of potassium. Among all the fruit, bananas are athletes' favorite as they provide energy. However, it could be highly dangerous for someone suffering from hyperkalemia. Consult your doctor if you have hyperkalemia and stick to fruits such as apples and berries. Leafy vegetables About 420 milligrams of potassium can be found in only a half cup of cooked spinach. Raw spinach, young or mature, has roughly 167 mg per cup. Fennel, bok choy, beet greens, and Swiss chard are also high in potassium. You can opt for kale instead. Kale has more nutrients than these other dark leafy greens, but it has less potassium. 73 mg is present in one cup of raw kale. Fish Clams, which provide 534 mg of potassium in just 3 ounces, are the finest source of protein from seafood. Around three ounces of skipjack tuna offers 444 mg, another major source of potassium. One of the most popular fish, salmon, frequently has a lower potassium content. Keeping a check on what type of fish you are eating if you have hyperkalemia is a must. Kidney beans Beans are a balanced addition to any meal plan as they're rich sources of protein and fiber. However, according to data from the USDA, one cup of the kidney-shaped type has 713 mg of potassium. A half-cup of black beans has 489 mg of potassium. Avocado This creamy, green-fleshed fruit is packed with 690 mg of potassium and is high in fiber and heart-healthy lipids. Although it might seem good for your heart, you should avoid it if you have hyperkalemia. Potatoes Potassium is heavily concentrated in potatoes; 925 milligrams of potassium may be found in a baked potato. A three-ounce portion of french-fried potatoes has 470 mg of potassium and a lot of fat and calories. The potassium content in an ounce of potato chips is 465 mg. Indulging in fast foods like fries is adverse for those with hyperkalemia. Oranges A single orange has 240 mg of potassium, making it a food with a high potassium content. With 450 mg per 8 oz glass, orange juice is a more potent source of potassium. Fruits vary in their potassium content. Berries are a poor source of potassium and can be a decent substitute for oranges and orange juice. Another good option is apples. Dried fruits The nutrients in fruit, including potassium, that have been dried are concentrated. You get roughly 750 milligrams from half a cup of dried apricots. Also, even though raisins and dried plums make a fantastic snack, they should be avoided by someone with hyperkalemia. Legumes and beans Legumes are a significant source of potassium as well. White beans have the most, with 600 mg of potassium in a half cup. In half a cup serving, other legumes such as lima beans and pinto beans have between 300 and 350 mg.