Emotional Health

Mental Health

One in four of us will experience some sort of mental health issue at some stage in our lives। We've got practical advice and support to help you cope with the challenges you're facing, whatever you're trying to cope with.

Mental Health

One in four of us will experience some sort of mental health issue at some stage in our lives. We've got practical advice and support to help you cope with the challenges you're facing, whatever you're trying to cope with.

Mental health

Our medical experts take a look at some of the more common conditions that affect our mental health.

Cold sores

What causes them?

They're usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) through close contact with someone who has a cold sore. Sometimes cold sores are caused by herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2) as a result of having oral sex with someone who has genital herpes.

You can't catch cold sores from cups, flannels or towels.

Common triggers

• Illnesses, such as colds and flu
• Menstrual periods
• Emotional upset
• Fatigue
• Bright sunlight
• Cold winds

Infection usually occurs in childhood when someone's kissed by a family member who has a cold sore. The virus passes through the skin, travels up a nerve and hides in the nerve root until it's activated.

When the virus is activated, it travels back to the skin, causing a tingling sensation. When the sore appears, it's itchy, painful and embarrassing because it's so noticeable.

After the first attack, some people never have another one; others get them occasionally, while some get them quite often.

Many things trigger attacks: colds and flu, menstrual periods, emotional upset, fatigue, bright sunlight and cold विंड्स

How can I prevent them?

Preventing recurrences involves avoiding those things known to trigger cold sores. So, make sure you always wear a lip balm containing UV protection and avoid sources of stress.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet that's rich in vitamins A, C and E, zinc and iron is also important to keep the immune system strong. Make sure you get enough garlic, too; it has antiviral properties and can be taken fresh or in capsule form.

Some people believe that the herb melissa, or lemon balm, is a good preventative। Make an infusion with some dried melissa leaves in boiling water, leave to cool, strain and store in a bottle. Apply it daily to the lips with cotton wool.

What's the treatment?

Many people know when a cold sore is on its way because they feel a tell-tale tingle. When this happens, applying a cream containing the drug aciclovir (available from chemists without prescription) may help to lessen the duration and severity of the attack.

Any pain caused by a cold sore can be eased by applying a cold compress of witch hazel to the affected area or by taking paracetamol.

It's important to always wash your hands after touching the cold sore and avoid putting your fingers near your eyes.

What if, this winter, you discovered a simple way to boost your immune system so you won't get sick? What if there were ten?

People who pick three or more of the suggestions from this list - and stick to them - will substantially improve their immune strength, increase their ability to stay sane and healthy through dreaded cold and flu season, and keep their health and happiness up through the darkest months of the year!

1. Drink your lemons. Lemon is the ideal food for restoring acid-alkali balance. Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in water, or adding it to tea, salad dressings (in place of vinegar), baking or cooking, helps maintain the body's internal "climate" at a pH which supports healthy bacteria instead of the viruses and harmful bacteria which thrive in more acidic environments. Apple cider vinegar is another great way to improve your body's alkalinity, but the taste of lemons is much more pleasant!

Cold protection gloves Hand protection from extreme cold Summitech Professional www.sumirubber.com

Dr. P. Banerji of India 14,000,000+ treated by Dr Banerji's World's Largest Homeopathic Clinics Dr P Banerji.com/Experts Online

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2. Give your body an herbal boost. Hundreds of herbal supplements and tinctures exist to give the immune system additional support during the winter. I recommend essential oils (especially my favourite winter blend, Thieves) as an excellent source of immune-stimulating compounds, and the rawest and most natural form of any medicinal plant, but there are other supplements which can be effective. Fresh herbs and whole food remedies are always preferable over packaged herbs or supplements, since they have a much higher potency and frequency and your body absorbs more of their value. See also Essential Oils Fight Cold and Flu.

3. Get a full night's sleep. Everybody's different: your body may need anywhere from 6 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Whatever your personal sleep requirement is, get it! Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol), keeping weight down, clear thinking and reasoning, improved mood, and vibrant, healthy skin.

4. Eat plenty of protein. Protein is a building block for a healthy body, mind, and immune system. Diets low in protein tend to be high in carbs which convert readily to glucose, spiking blood sugar and stressing the pancreas and the immune system.

5. Drink plenty of water. This is almost, but not quite, a given; most headaches occur because despite the number of reminders, people still aren't getting enough water! Headaches and thirst are both signs of dehydration. You should be drinking, in daily ounces, half your body weight in pounds. (i.e. Body weight in pounds, divided by 2 = number of ounces of water per day.) Click here for detailed guidelines - how much water do you need daily?

6. Stop drinking coffee. Contrary to recent marketing as a source of antioxidants, chocolate and coffee are two of the worst things you can do for your immune system and your health. Caffeine robs your body of minerals and vitamins, and it dehydrates you. If you drink coffee, make sure you add an additional two glasses to your water intake per cup of coffee. A mineral supplement helps to offset caffeine's damage, too.

7. Worse yet is the impact of refined white sugar. If you do only one thing to boost your immune system, eliminating sugar will do the trick. You will see noticeable results in your energy levels, weight distribution, immunity and your ability to think clearly when you break the cravings and stop eating refined sugar. Many holistic nutritionists consider sugar a drug for its impact on the human body; some practitioners are known to prioritize eliminating sugar from the diet over recommending that people quit smoking. Healthier sugars such as agave and stevia do exist, but avoid artificial sweeteners; they are even worse than cane sugar.

8. Stock up on raw fruits and vegetables for their antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibre and enzymes. The nutritional content that you receive from raw fruits and veggies is unparalleled. Many vitamins, including C, are antioxidants and will protect cells - including those of your immune system - from damage by toxins in the environment. Dark-coloured produce (berries, kale, broccoli) tends to be higher in flavonoids, polyphenols and other antioxidants. The perfect source of minerals is seaweed, which is sold dried, but can often be found raw (dried at low temperatures to maintain most of the enzymes and nutrients) in health food stores.

9. Spend some time out in the cold. Snowball fight, anyone? Exercise can make a noticeable difference to your health and happiness by releasing endorphins. Most of us spend 90% of our lives indoors, inhaling dubiously filtered air and other people's germs, so take every opportunity to get outside. Time spent outdoors in the cold also stimulates the thyroid gland.

Finally...

10. Nurture yourself. Make sure you take time to yourself, spend some time with friends, and indulge yourself in a massage, a hot bath, or an energy work session when you want one. Our bodies respond to our emotions - if you're feeling harassed and anxious, it can manifest in a sore throat or a cold. Create a space within yourself and your living environment for harmony, self-love and joy (giving thanks, prayer and blessing the abundance in your life and of the world around you helps). Pay attention to warning signs of sore throat or exhaustion so you can keep them from getting worse. Take a "mental health day" every few months to make sure your emotional needs are met. When you're happy, you're far less likely to get sick.