Holiday Depression, Frustration and Anxiety

The holidays are times of pleasure and joy but can also be times of sadness, anxiety, loneliness and depression for some individuals.  There are a number of suggestions that have been offered by mental health professionals that may help you avoid or reduce negative feelings.

Here is a list that may be helpful:

• If you are lonely, make an effort to help others such as volunteering at a food bank or facility that feeds those less fortunate.  Go to a nursing home and visit with someone who may also be lonely. When you help others your thoughts are off yourself and you will feel better. Get together with your friends, your club or your church group.  If you look around you are not really alone.

• Budget your time and money so you do not over-commit.  We often say yes to too many parties and over-spend on gifts.  This can lead to frustration and anxiety.

• When you are with family and have unresolved issues, offer to deal with conflicts at another time when it is more appropriate.  Remember that it takes two to have an argument.

• Be sure to not neglect your regular exercise routine.  Taking time out for exercise helps relieve stress and improve mood.

• Get enough sleep even though it may be tempting to stay up all night to wrap gifts or prepare food.

• Ask for help when shopping, decorating, preparing meals and cleanup.  You should not have to do everything yourself.

• Do not over indulge in food or drink, but don't feel guilty when you eat that dessert.  What you eat the rest of the year is what really matters.  Eat a nutritious snack before you go to the party.  This will help you avoid eating too many sweets and other less healthy foods.

• If your feelings of depression or anxiety get to be overwhelming, don't hesitate to seek out help.  Ask your family doctor or other health care provider for guidance, or call your local Mental Health Association for information.  These problems have beneficial treatments, you don't have to suffer.

What To Do If You Get the Flu

Flu (influenza) is a respiratory tract infection caused by viral influenza A or B.  Flu is a seasonal infection that occurs mostly during the winter months.  The virus is transmitted in water droplets that are expelled into the air when someone who has the flu coughs, sneezes or even talks.  Breathing in these droplets can then give you the flu.

Symptoms may include a runny nose, fever, cough, headache and muscle aches.  Symptoms of the flu can be similar to other viral infections, but are usually more severe.

Anti-viral medications are available from your health care provider and have best results if given within two days of symptom onset.  These medications can shorten the course of the infection by 1 or 2 days. Even without anti-viral medication flu is usually self limited in the general population to one week.  Cough and fatigue may last a bit longer.

Treatment at home should include over-the-counter medication for fever and aches such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, extra fluid intake to avoid dehydration and lots of rest.

Complications can occur with the flu, including ear and sinus infections.  Viral and bacterial pneumonia can also occur.  These complications will require treatment with antibiotics or anti-virals.  Hospitalization may be required in more severe cases.

The best prevention for seasonal flu is a flu shot, but remember, it takes up to two weeks for immunity to develop after the shot.

If you have any questions about your symptoms or your symptoms are severe, see you health care provider.

Probiotics - Are They Helpful?

Probiotics are bacteria that are the same or similar to bacteria that live naturally in the body and considered beneficial.  There are many probiotics on the market in the form of supplements or in yogurt.  These products often claim to offer health benefits.  However, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved probiotics for the treatment of any disease or condition.

There has been some evidence that probiotics can be safe and effective in preventing Clostridium difficile      ( C. diff. ) related diarrhea in children and adults taking antibiotics.

Pregnant and nursing women who take probiotics have been found to have babies that are less likely to develop eczema, a skin ailment, during the first years of life.

There are conflicting results in the research regarding the cholesterol lowering effects of probiotics, indicating that more research is needed.

Whether you should take probiotics is still largely a question to be answered with further research.  Many of the claimed benefits are yet to be fully proven.