When you catch the flu the main thing on your mind is getting over it and getting back on with your life. There are a lot of ways out there to help your body fight off the flu and get on the road to a speedy recovery. One of those things being Hydration and flu. But keeping yourself hydrated when you have the flu may not be as simple as you might think.

People will always tell you to drink plenty of water, but there are many individuals out there who simply do not like the taste of plain water and this makes getting the fluids you need more difficult. But just because it is more difficult does not mean it is impossible as there are a lot of alternate sources you can go to to get the water you need.

1. This is not about adding water to your body, but about preventing it from being taken out. Cut out drinks that actually drain water from your body. Many drinks out there will actually drain the water from your body because they are filled with ingredients that absorb water. Common examples being soda or alcohol. So if you are trying to keep in mind that Hydration and flu go hand in hand, then make sure you cut out these types of drinks.

2. Food is one viable option for getting the water you need when you have the flu. Various fruits and vegetables often contain high amounts of water. This coupled with their other beneficial properties makes them even better to eat when you are sick. Oranges, for example, are rich in Vitamin C which can help boost the immune system. They also have a high water content, so not only is it helping your immune system, but it is keeping you hydrated at the same time.

For those of you out there who do not necessarily like eating raw fruit, you can always try creating a fruit shake by blending them up. This makes it more of a treat and retains all the nutrition and water.

3. Another alternative to drinking water is to drink sports drinks. Things like gatorade are specially designed to be low in calories and harmful additives like soda is. They are often packed with other helpful things like electrolytes to help keep your body hydrated and healthy. So if water just is not your thing, then sports drinks can provide a great alternative to keeping your Hydration and flu in balance.

When it comes to the flu, hydration is one of the most important parts. The flu has a lot of symptoms that can cause you to lose a lot of fluid, such as vomiting, which is why it is so important to keep your water intake high during these times.

But sometimes people just do not like drinking plain water. If you are one of these people, then you still have alternatives. But always keep in mind that these alternatives are never as good as the real thing, and if you really want to get over your flu as soon as possible, you should just toughen up and drink water, that way you can get on with your life much faster.

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The question of how to relieve tension is as important as ever in today's ever-increasingly hectic world. There are many different techniques that can be used, each with their pros and cons, but today we are going to talk about a way of relieving tension that anybody can use anywhere, anytime, and it doesn't require any special equipment. What we are talking about is using your imagination to melt away tension and stress.

Guided imagery is any technique that uses a plan of some kind to help you imagine something to lead you to a state of relaxation. There are online audios, CDs, tapes, MP3 files, written scripts to get you started, or you can develop your own by ad-libbing or from memory. How you go about it isn't all that important. In other words, it's not the journey that counts, it's the destination. In this case your destination is lower stress.

You begin a guided imagery session by choosing a quiet and comfortable place where you will be free of distractions for the duration of your session. Do a few deep breathing exercises to relieve some of your built-up tension. Now you're ready to start the guided imagery itself.

Think of a calm and peaceful place that makes you feel completely relaxed; such as a secluded beach, a quiet stream in the middle of sun-dappled woods, or even a distant planet in another galaxy if you prefer. (If you are using something pre-recorded, then this part is already done for you). The main thing is that you choose a scene that causes no stress or anxiety.

One you have the scene in mind, you go deeper and deeper into it by imagining more details as you go. Let's say you picture being on a secluded beach. You would start by seeing the sun in the sky and listening to the surf rolling in. Next, you imagine some palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze, and how that breeze feels on your face (notice how your hair feels as it moves?). What about the warm sand as each grain works a microscopic massage on your feet? You not only hear the waves, but you also feel the slightest hint of sea mist every so often. Every detail has more depth and it puts you more into the scene.

Each new layer of detail you add is a whole new lesson in how to relieve tension. The reason this method is so good at removing stress is that it requires deeper and deeper focus on something that you find pleasurable. They say the mind has unlimited potential, and this is only one small example of just how true that is.

You will get the most benefits from doing full sessions of guided imagery, but you can also make brief returns to your favorite scene whenever you sense stress is starting to build up. How to relieve tension is as simple as trying simple techniques like guided imagery, so go ahead and give it a try and see how much better you feel afterwards.

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It doesn't matter if you recently suffered a knee injury or if you have had a problem knee for a long time; swelling in and around the knee causes a fair amount of pain and discomfort. Chances are that every time it flares up you are asking yourself "how do I relieve knee swelling". That may seem like a tricky question on the surface, but the truth is that there are effective remedies that can help.

Though it may sound rather obvious, the quickest way to get some relief is to take your weight off your knee. Extra pressure and strain isn't going to do anything but make the problem worse. Resting your leg doesn't always cure the swelling, but it doesn't hurt either. So go ahead and sit or lie down and relax and take a load off your knees. The longer you can stay off your knee the better; a full day would be ideal.

Now that you are resting your knee, you should elevate your legs. Use pillows, the arm of a comfy couch, or even a stack of books to get your legs as high as you comfortably can. This draws blood away from the inflamed area and helps to reduce swelling.

Put an ice pack (or bag of frozen vegetables) on the knee right after swelling begins. Do 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for 1 to 2 hours. You need to take the ice off for a while to prevent frostbite. The cold will help to reduce swelling and will also numb the area so it's more comfortable. However, do not apply heat. You may think heat would feel good, but heat is a big no-no because it potentially leads to even worse problems; therefore it's best to only apply cold to your swollen knee.

Anti-inflammatory medications can help to bring the swelling down. Aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as other products, can be purchased at the store. You can also check with your doctor to see if they are able to prescribe a good medication to reduce the inflammation.

Once you are back on your feet, you should do what you can to support your knee and keep some of your weight off of it. Winding a stretchy fabric bandage around will help. Also, using crutches or a cane, if the swelling and pain are moderate to severe, will put less strain on your knee.

There is a centuries-old answer to the question of how do I relieve knee swelling, and that is Epsom salts. Applying a wet towel that has been soaked in Epsom salts or taking a bath in them can help because they contain a fair amount of magnesium; thereby reducing swelling. Another benefit is that the salts can help to soothe your stress as well.

Regardless of which methods you use, it is very important that you see your doctor if the swelling doesn't go away, or if it's a recurring problem. Either way, there are things you can do to relieve knee swelling.

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There are so many health and beauty with seaweed benefits that it would almost seem like seaweed is a wonder drug. And, it really isn't too far of a stretch to consider it that way.

You see the benefits to health and beauty with seaweed are numerous and they can be seen as a result of not just adding some seaweed to your diet, but in some cases, applying it directly to your skin.

Seaweed has been used for centuries by people all around the world as a food source and for it's medicinal properties. Today more people are becoming aware of the possibilities of this unique sea vegetable too.

Here are just a few of the most common benefits, and uses, of seaweed:

1. Food. Not all varieties of seaweed are edible, but many are. You can add seaweed to your diet in many ways. Some types of seaweed can be eaten raw, others can be fried or baked and then crumbled up in soups, sauces or on salads.

You can add seaweed to your drinks and smoothies. You can even just take a seaweed supplement everyday.

Again, depending on the exact type of seaweed, you can get many healthful nutrients and vitamins. Many forms of seaweed are very high in protein and vitamins B and C as well as minerals like zinc, folic acid and iron.

Seaweed is also a great source of fiber and can help you keep your body detoxified and cleansed.

Iodine is yet another beneficial ingredient in many forms of seaweed. Iodine is essential to keep your thyroid functioning properly. Your thyroid is what can regulate everything from the temperature of your body to the rate of your metabolism.

2. Skin and hair. Of course, adding seaweed to your diet and improving the overall health of your body will also show up on the outside of your body. You will have healthier more vibrant skin as well as thicker, faster growing hair as a direct result of adding seaweed to your diet.

But, you can also apply some forms of seaweed to the outside of your body as well. That will help improve the glow of your skin too.

Many people love the feel of a facial cream made of seaweed. They swear by the results and the rejuvenating properties of this cream.

You can also get a facial, or full body, seaweed wrap. The properties of the seaweed will help oxygenate and detoxify your skin. It can be invigorating as well as really good for your skin.

So you see, no matter what you hope to accomplish both inside and outside of your body, seaweed can help. Since seaweed has so many health benefits and it is so easy to add to your daily diet, you might wonder why everyone isn't eating seaweed or taking a seaweed supplement.

Health and beauty with seaweed can be accomplished by taking a seaweed supplement, by adding various types of seaweed to your daily diet or by using wraps and creams that are made from seaweed, or all of the above. What ever option(s) you choose, don't worry, you will look and feel great!

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Your body has both good and bad cholesterol. In order to increase the good and lower the bad you have many choices.

Of course, to control your good and bad cholesterol you can use medicine and diet factors.

If you want to control your cholesterol you can combine one or more of these factors.

Depending on you and what your cholesterol levels are, you may find that eating a little better and getting more exercise may be all you need to do to help lower your bad (LDL) and raise your good (HDL).

Of course, before you do anything make sure you talk to your doctor.

This is important because you may have other health issues in addition to cholesterol and your doctor can guide you through the process and help ensure that you don't make one thing worse by concentrating on another.

So, here are some ideas that may help you get the cholesterol levels you need:

1. Cut down on the amount of fat you get from your diet by cutting back on foods like meats and dairy. And not eating out at a fast food place is kind of a no brainer.

2. Cut way back on the amount of sugar you get in your diet. And when figuring out how much sugar you get, don't forget to include the amount of sugar that is in the beverages you drink.

If you start reading the labels of some drinks you will be amazed (appalled) at the amount of sugar they contain. Have you ever read the label for a so called energy drink?

Some people will substitute diet drinks but before you do you may want to ask yourself one question; is this sugar substitute really a good thing for my body?

My personal decision is to stay away from as many man made chemicals as I reasonably can. I don't drink diet soda for that reason.

I know that small amounts of sugar won't harm me, but I'm not so sure about any amount of artificial sweetener.

3. Figure out how much sodium you get in your diet and then cut back if you need to. Most people who eat a lot of processed foods will be getting a lot of sodium in their diet, possibly more than they should be.

All of these things can work together to help you keep not only your cholesterol levels in check but help keep your heart safe and strong too.

Instead of thinking that you can't eat anything, here are some foods that may be able to help your cholesterol levels: walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts and pecans.

But, don't get carried away. If you eat too many of these nuts you will be diminishing the benefit since these nuts are all high in fat. One cup a day is plenty.

Oatmeal and oat bran have also been shown to help lower cholesterol levels when eaten on a regular basis.

Fish and other foods high in Omega – 3 fatty acids such as salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel and lake trout.

As you can see, keeping your good and bad cholesterol levels in check may be as simple as adding or deleting some foods from

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Every year this time rolls around, the holiday season with it's many joys and wonders. All the many holidays to celebrate, the weather getting colder, snow starting to fall. But something more sinister and cumbersome comes with this time of year as well. The Flu is always lurking around during winter and it is something we would all rather avoid if we have the chance.

The Flu always seems to hit us at the most inconvenient times imaginable, forcing us to get plenty of rest and even a flu vaccine to get rid of it. But there are ways to avoid this hassle. If you take preventative measures, you will not even have to worry about the flu in the first place. Some simple tips can keep you fit as a fiddle, able to go about this hectic season without delay.

1. Boost your immune system. The best way to deal with the flu is to simply not get it at all. If you keep your immune system in working order, it will deal with any flu viruses that infiltrate your system long before they become any sort of problem. Since keeping your immune system is so important in the fight against the flu, you should take extra care to do everything you can to keep it strong. If you take these measures you may not even need to worry about something more cumbersome such as a flu vaccine.

Some of the things you can do to boost it up is to get plenty of exercise. A healthy body means a healthy immune system which allows it to work at peak efficiency. Another thing you should try to do is eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables will give you all the vitamins and minerals your body needs to run properly, every war machine needs proper fuel, so keep yours topped up. Lastly, get plenty of sleep. Sleep allows your body to recharge after a hard days work, if you are tired or stressful, your immune system will not function as well as it should and the flu may be able to take advantage of that.

2. Keep your hands clean. Another good preventative measure is to simply keep your hands clean. As you go about your day, you touch a lot of stuff, stuff that can carry germs and bacteria. You do not want that stuff in your body, fighting your immune system, so you should wash your hands regularly. Also wipe down the things you use every now and then, such as telephones or keyboards, especially if other people use them as they may be carrying the flu virus.

3. Get a flu vaccine. One of the simplest, and often most effective preventative measures is to simply get a flu shot. This will allow your body's immune system to get a feel for what exactly the flu is, allowing it to produce anti-bodies designed to kill that specific strain, which in turn allows your body to react faster and kill any flu virus before it makes you sick.

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Winter is the season of joy and fun what with all he holidays it has jam packed into it. But it is also a season of sickness, it is not called the flu season for no reason after all. With so much going on during this time of year you can not afford to keel over due to the flu. But with you running all over the place, preparing for the holidays while managing work and a home life, it can be exceptionally easy for you to suddenly find yourself with a fever and bed ridden.

The flus hits thousands of people every year, every time you leave the house odds are you are encountering someone with the flu. So how do you protect yourself? How do you keep yourself healthy? You can not walk around in a hazmat outfit or hold up in your house. But there are other things you can do to keep yourself in tip top shape throughout the holiday season.

1. Strengthen your immune system. The best method for fighting off any illness is simply not to get it. Your own body's immune system can do just that if you help it out. Keeping your immune system in perfect shape is the best way to avoid getting the flu and to do this you just need to keep your body healthy. Get plenty of exercise to keep in shape and fit, which also strengthens your immune system.

Eating fruits and vegetables also boosts it up as it ensures your immune system is getting all the vitamins and minerals it needs for the flu season. Lastly, make sure to get plenty of sleep. Your body needs to recharge after a hard days work and the more worn out it is, the weaker your immune system becomes.

2. Get a flu shot. A flu vaccine is another simple way to keep yourself free from that pesky sickness this season. What it does is introduce a weakened strain of the flu virus that your body's immune system can kill off right away. This allows your body to recognize the flu as an illness and more readily respond when it detects the virus in your system, killing it off before it does any harm.

3. Wash your hands regularly. This may sound simply and even a bit obsessive but simply keeping your hands clean is a great way to keep yourself healthy this flu season. As you go through your daily grind your hands are touching all sorts of things, picking up germs and bacteria everywhere they go. Then if you eat or rub your face, all those germs are going into your system, forcing your immune system to kill them off, which makes it easier for the flu to take hold.

If you simply wash your hands regularly you can prevent this from happening, keeping your immune system at peak efficiency since it does not have to fight off all these other pesky invaders. You should also wipe down your equipment you use such as your telephone or keyboard, especially if other people use them.

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Winter is a fun time of year. The landscape is covered in white, you have plenty of holidays to spend with loved ones, it generally is a good time of year. But it also has it's downsides. Winter is also the time of year when the flu runs rampant and everyone seems to be getting sick. Getting the flu is something nobody wants, we would all much rather avoid it if we can.

So since the best way of dealing with the flu is to simply not get the flu, you want to Fight flu germs before they get in and cause you harm. There are some tips that can help you do just that and kick the flu to the curb before it lays you up in bed.

1. Get plenty of exercise. Exercise is a great way of keeping your body healthy. A healthy body also means a healthy immune system, and the stronger your immune system is, the better chance it has at fending off any pesky invaders like the flu. So keeping it in running order is important.

2. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. While getting exercise is important, your body needs the proper fuel as well. Your body is a machine like any other, it needs proper care and fuel to run, fruits and vegetables have needed vitamins and minerals to keep your body and your immune system running.

3. Get plenty of rest. One of the best ways to Fight flu germs is to simply make sure you get plenty of rest. It can be difficult in a hectic life, especially during the flu season when there just seems to be so much you need to do. But you should try to ensure you get plenty of sleep so your body is well rested and able to fight off invaders.

4. Keep your hands clean. In your daily life you touch quite a few things, from objects to people. This allows you to pick up all sorts of nasty germs just waiting to do your body harm. Pretty much all of these will be dealt with by your immune system, but if your immune system is busy fighting other germs, flu germs may slip past your defenses and start mucking things up. So keeping your hands clean limits the amount of germs you are taking in, allowing your anti-bodies to focus on the real threat.

5. Get a flu shot. The ultimate way to Fight flu germs is to simply get a vaccine. Vaccines work by introducing an inert virus into your body, allowing your immune system to kill it and learn what exactly it is. Once your immune system learns what it is, it can make anti-bodies designed specifically to target and kill that virus, meaning when a flu germ gets inside you, your immune system can react much quicker in destroying it.

If you take preventative measures and keep yourself safe and healthy, the flu should not be much more than a minor inconvenience, allowing you to enjoy the holiday season to it's fullest.

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You probably know that stress isn't good for you, but you shouldn't let that fact stress you out. There are some easy ways to relieve stress and not being stressed about stress is a good start. However, that may be easier said than done, so here are a few ways that you can reduce the amount of stress you feel as you about your day.

There are always going to be events that are out of your control, but doing what you can to avoid stress will help you remain calm. Let's say you get stressed out because you're always getting stuck in traffic on the way to work. You have a few choices here: you can leave earlier so you miss the morning traffic rush, you can take a different route to work, or you can start carpooling so you don't have to drive as often. Again, complete avoidance of stress isn't possible, but avoiding recurring problems is one of the easy ways to relieve stress.

Socializing and talking to your friends is a good way to reduce stress. You will be able to share your problems with people who care about you, and knowing somebody is listening is sometimes all it takes to get rid of stress. That's a large part of what psychiatrists and counselors do, so that is proof that it works. Also, it's hard to be stressed when you're having a good time with friends.

Easy breathing exercises can work wonders when it comes to relieving stress. Here is a simple exercise that you can do right now. Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of five, hold for a count of five, and then exhale through pursed lips for a count of ten. As you breathe, imagine peace and relaxation coming in with each inhalation, and all of your stress going out every time you exhale. Doing this will prevent your body from over-reacting to stress and will quickly bring things back under control.

Taking a break where you get away from it all is another easy way to relieve stress. Find a quiet place where there won't be any distractions for a while (remember to unplug your phone). Get as comfortable as you can and be ready to do nothing except relax. Darken the room, light scented candles, put on some soft music and close your eyes. If any worries should happen to pop up, take note of them and then dismiss them as you return your session of relaxation.

These are only a few of the easy was to relieve stress, but there is a catch (isn't there always)…reading about them won't do any good at all. You have to actually try them, and then make them a habit. When you do, you will notice that things don't get to you the way they used to, and that's good for your health.

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Diabetes Mellitus is considered a cover all word for the health condition regarding how the body uses glucose, or sugar. Glucose is converted from the foods that you eat and every cell in your body needs it to function.

If the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, or has shut down all together and does not produce any, to help the sugar reach the cells and the sugar builds up in you blood stream you probably have diabetes mellitus.

Insulin is the hormone produced by your pancreas to help metabolize the food you eat and give your body the energy it needs.

There are three types of diabetes:

1. Type I diabetes is the type where the pancreas no longer produces insulin and you need to give yourself insulin shots everyday in order to survive. Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that your body is working against itself. five to ten percent of those with diabetes have Type I.

2. Type II diabetes is the type where the pancreas is producing less insulin than needed or the cells in your body have become resistant to the insulin that is produced and is the most common form of diabetes. Ninety to ninety-five percent of those with diabetes have Type II.

3. Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy and most of the time goes away after the baby is born. Sometimes, though, it can be a precursor to getting diabetes later in life.

Basic symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst and increased urination. You may notice that cuts and bruises heal slower than you would expect. Unexplained weight loss, constant hunger, fatigue and irritability round out the symptoms for Type I diabetes.

Symptoms for Type II diabetes can include all of the above plus an increased susceptibility to infection, blurred vision, and tingling in the hands or feet.

Gestational diabetes will usually not show any symptoms except increased urination and thirst.

Blood tests can tell your doctor whether or not you have developed diabetes. Simple tests like the finger prick and another test called A1c will give your doctor the information he needs to diagnose you. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed using an oral glucose tolerance test that measures plasma glucose values. Your doctor will want to pay close attention to your condition as your pregnancy progresses.

We have discussed the fact that the reason someone develops diabetes is that the pancreas either does not work properly or does not work at all but what are the reason behind the pancreas malfunctioning in the first place? There are several factors that may contribute to the development of diabetes and they are:

Genetics – It is well believed in the medical community that genetics play a large role in someone developing diabetes. If you have even one relative who has diabetes you are at a higher risk to develop it yourself.

Weight – If you eat a high-fat, high-carb diets, do not get a lot of exercise and have gained quite a bit of weight over the years, you may be at a higher risk as well.

Environment – I do not know specifics but some viral infections can cause you to develop diabetes mellitus. If this concerns you then speak with your doctor about any recent viral infections you have had.

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