Not All Problems Warrant a Trip to the Doctor

The headache that plagues a person all day and only seems to get worse as the day goes on is a common experience. Late night sinus drainage is something else that everyone is familiar with. These things make us uncomfortable, at times even miserable, but they are not emergencies. Having a cabinet stocked with not just first aid supplies but also emergency OTC medications can make the difference between dragging yourself to an all night grocery store and getting the rest your body needs.

Sorting the Old Wives Tales from Scientific Fact

The flu has been with humankind for a long time and continues to be one of the most lethal viruses. Over the centuries, a lot of flu myths have come along. Some are so ridiculous as to be laughable, but others persist to this day. We'll expose some common flu myths and give you the facts about one of the world's leading killers.

Why Flu Shots Matter

 With all the controversy over flu shots and other vaccines, many moms are asking, "who should get flu shots?" The answer is, almost everybody. Flu shots are an important safety measure for entire communities. Although there are some exceptions, just about everyone should get an annual flu vaccine.

How to Safely Use Cold Medicine

It's easy to reach for cold medicine when you aren't feeling well, and, generally speaking, there isn't any reason why a healthy adult shouldn't. However, there are some medicines that should only be used for a short time and others that are not appropriate for certain people.

Chicken Soup May Be the Answer

Having a cold is miserable. No one likes suffering what seems to be a yearly winter ritual as the latest cold bug makes the rounds. Until someone finds a cure from the common cold, we're stuck with stuffy noses and chest-rattling coughs. Fortunately, natural cold treatment is often as effective as over the counter medications, and surprisingly, grandma had it right in a lot of ways.

Do My Kids Need Flu Shots?

Once again it’s that time of year: cold and flu season. Some schools may actually be offering the flu shot to their students. Of course, in order for the school kids flu shots to be administered, the school will require a parent's consent. For some of us, it may be a question of whether or not we should allow them to vaccinate our children.    

Is it the Flu?

Flu season is upon us, and it's likely that you or someone in your family is going to get sick if they aren't already! But is the congestion and body aches the result of influenza or just a nasty cold? Our handy primer will help you tell the difference between the potentially dangerous flu and a common cold.

How to Tell a Cold From an Allergy

When people feel sudden changes in their body like sniffling, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose and coughing, how do they know if these symptoms come from a cold vs allergy?  Sometimes the common cold can appear as allergies and vice versa. The best way to tell the difference between common cold symptoms and an allergic reaction to airborne allergens is by checking out how the body reacts to each type of condition.  

What are the Main Symptoms of Swine Flu in Children?

In April 2009, newsworthy discussion of a potential swine flu epidemic caught the attention of the nation.  Parents sending their young children to preschool, daycare and elementary school classes continue to monitor the news with concerns that their child might be exposed to swine flu.  Particularly threatening to young children, Swine flu is a highly contagious respiratory virus, which mimics the seasonal flu or cold.

What Causes Wheezing at Night?

Wheezing, phenomena prevalent in many people irrespective of their age group, occurs due to respiratory blockage. Air doesn’t find its way out through exhalation thus leading towards wheezing in the chest. According to some medical practitioners, wheezing may be a symptom of “asthma” in certain people.