Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Cold and Flu Season - and allergy maladies

That's what they used to call this time of year. Usually coming off the holidays everyone is tired and run down and with the cold winter weather apt to catch the latest bug going around. It sure is different tho from when I was a kid. You didn't hear much about "allergies" back then. People had them, but they were the minority. Nowadays you are in the minority if you DON'T have some type of allergy. You can't convince me that all the chemicals and preservatives you find in everything today isn't causing all these allergies. And who invents these chemicals and preservatives? Maybe the same people who invent the Drugs that cure the side effects from the chemicals and preservatives? Hmmmm.....maybe I SHOULD have taken chemistry. Something to be said for the legal drug trade.

Anyhow - PREVENTION: My parents taught us to wash our hands, don't eat anything that was on the floor - COMMON SENSE THINGS. Today's parents are trying to "antibacterial" their children to death (which I believe is just making them more prone to germs, but that is just my opinion) CURE: well, back when I was a kid you pretty much had aspirin, orange juice, chicken noodle soup and Vicks VapoRub. (applied with love by Mom to your chest and covered with a warm washcloth).

Cure nowadays - well you can go cross-eyed at the local drug store trying to find an over-the-counter remedy for the sniffles. There are entire aisles - both sides - four or five shelves high filled with anything you can think of to ease your stuffy-runny nose, sore scratchy throat, itchy eyes - you name it - they got it. It's no wonder when friends were here from England years ago they almost went into shock when I took them into Acme, (another blog).

My personal recommendations for these ills that fall upon me when the weather goes from 28 degrees to 40 degree and my body says - what the Hell are you doing to me? My Mother's old-fashioned cures, but I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND Breathe Right nasal strips . If you have EVER laid your head down on the pillow at night and had your nose stuff up immediately - these are for you. Once you get past the strange feel on your nose you will see what I mean. I am a walking commercial for them. I should get a commission - or at least coupons for a couple boxes of them.

Oh well - hope everyone is staying healthy in their own way.

2 comments:

  1. My dad's a pharmacist, and he'll tell you that the less pills you take, the better off you are.

    I plan on letting Jonas eat dirt if he wants to and (egads!) wash his hands with plain soap (not antibacterial). It will build his immunity. He does need to stay away from raw eggs and undercooked meat, though. :)

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  2. I'll take care of the cookie dough for him, don't you worry!

    I'm pretty sure I just suffered through some bad ass allergies, feeling much better today.

    I love when you rant mom :)

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