🤔 Why do your cold and flu symptoms keep coming back? 🤧 A savvy pharmacist reveals it could be down to seven sneaky reasons.
1. **Chronic Stress**: Stress isn’t just a mental strain—it’s also an immune suppressor. High cortisol levels from stress weaken your body’s ability to fight infections. So, it’s not just about resting; it’s about reducing stress too.
2. **Lack of Sleep**: Skimping on sleep can dampen your immune response. Quality sleep—7 to 9 hours each night—allows your body to produce proteins that help fight off colds. If you’re having trouble snoozing, try addressing symptoms with remedies like saline rinses.
3. **Nutrient Deficiencies**: Your body needs vitamins like C and minerals like zinc to effectively tackle those pesky viruses. If your diet isn’t quite hitting the mark, chat with a pharmacist about supplements that can bridge the gap.
4. **Smoking**: Puffing away makes you twice as likely to catch colds. Smoking complicates lung function and has a negative impact on your immune efficiency. Ready to quit? Many pharmacies offer support, including nicotine replacement options.
5. **Alcohol**: Even moderate drinking can meddle with your body’s defence against illnesses. Try cutting back on drinks during recovery to give your immune system a fighting chance.
6. **Close Contact Environments**: Offices and classrooms can be hotbeds for germs. Practising good hygiene and keeping your distance can help avoid the cold merry-go-round. Feel under the weather? It’s best to stay home and let your body recover.
7. **Health Conditions**: Underlying issues can make you more vulnerable to sickness. If symptoms persist beyond two weeks, it might be worth seeing a health professional to rule out complications. Especially if you’re pregnant or have chronic ailments, an annual flu jab could also be a wise choice.
Let’s get proactive about our health by tackling these causes head-on! 💪✨ #StayHealthy #ColdAndFluRelief