Can anyone answer this question?

[Judy Judy Judy]

What makes some people have colds so much? And what can you do to help yourself for this?

I feel like for the past year I have basically been nothing but sick with either, asmatha ,a respitory infection , flu, sinus, cold, bronitis what ever, every couple of months I'm sick with something.

Now once again I've got a cold that has lasted since last saturday, sore throat, runny nose, water eyes the whole nine yard.

What can I do to help myself not catch everything around? I'm sick and tire of running to the doctors every other month. Seroiusly does anyone know what I can do?

TIA

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Off the top of my head the best things to do are to make sure you get enough rest and also make sure you wash your hands thoroughly-- atleast 20 full seconds. Vitamins might help some too.

 

[mommasita]

I would think firstly Vitamin C and lots of it. Do you take a daily vitamin?

 

[just4today]

The most important things you can do are common sense: wash your hands often; keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, mouth; try to minimize touching common surfaces (like handles, telephones, ATM buttons, etc.); get plenty of rest so your immune system is prepared to fight off infections

 

[Rora]

Vitamins, drink lots of water, and wash your hands, a lot!!

 

[Judy Judy Judy]

Which vitamins? I do wash my hands a lot, so much in fact that they almost stay chapped, I do put my hand by my eyes all the time though with glasses, I'm always messing with my eyes.

 

[C.Ann]

I am currently dealing with health issues that make it imperative that I avoid any and all illnesses to the best of my ability.. So - this is what I do:

I take a very strong multi-vitamin every day.

I drink as much Boost as possible - at least 6 a day.

When winter sets in, I avoid going out as much as possible - and try very hard to stay out of department stores, supermarkets, and the like.. When I do have to go there, I use wipes on the cart handle and make sure I don't put my hands near my face or my eyes until I can get home and wash my hands thoroughly..

I drink as much orange juice as my stomach will tolerate..

I try to schedule my doctor appointments at the least busy part of the day - which is usually the last appointment of the day.. (Waiting room is usually empty and I don't have to worry about being around other sick people..)

I stay away from emergency rooms and will not visit anyone in the hospital unless it's a life or death situation..

I get a flu shot - even though I have gotten sick from them in the past..

If I "feel" like I have a cold coming on, I take a hot bath every half-hour or so.. (A doctor suggested that years ago and it really does seem to stop it dead in it's tracks..)

Obviously, if I do come down with something, everything I use while I'm sick (thermometer; nasal spray container; etc.) gets thoroughly cleaned before I use it again..

I empty my wastepaper basket (with used tissues in it) several times a day - and before I get around to emptying it, I close the plastic bag liner each time I toss a used tissue in there..

I sleep with the heat OFF in my bedroom.. Warm air is a breeding ground for germs..

To the best of my ability, I avoid other sick people..

Wash my hands - wash my hands - wash my hands - and NEVER put them near my face, eyes, mouth, or nose if they haven't just recently been washed.. However, I do NOT use "anti-bacterial" soaps.. I have been told by numerous doctors that it's the worse thing I can do as it will only weaken my immune system further.. There is actually certain kinds of bacteria we need in order to maintain good health..
-------------------

I would look at your immune system and your diet.. Are there things you can do to improve it? If so, that would help a great deal..

I'm far from a germophobic, but circumstances are such that my need to avoid illnesses is much, much more important now than it has ever been.. It's a pain - but the alternative is worse!!

 

[JR6ooo4]

how is your diet?

Mikeeee

 

[Barbossa]

Zicam works well at the very first sign of a cold.

Stress depresses the immune system, so hanging loose can help.

 

[kent285]

I try really hard to keep my immune system strong. I take a multi-vitamin EVERY day, not just sometimes, and I exercise almost every day. I hate being sick. Are you sure you don't have alergies? A runny nose can make your throat hurt, so that you think you have a cold. Are you running a fever? Sounds like your immune system is a little weak.

 

[disney1990]

I take Zinc, Vitamin C and Echinacea during the winter. I take Airbourne if I even think I am getting sick or if I have been around somebody that is sick. I wash my hands constantly and keep hand sanitizer at my desk at work for when I have been working with papers that other people have touched.

I haven't had a cold in years.

 

[moon]

I've also read that Anti-bacterial soaps can be harmful, however I was surprised to read that hand-sanitizer gels are higly recommended and several studies show that people who use those gels get fewer colds and other illnesses than those who do not.

I've seen them widely used by clinic and hopital staff and now I never go out without it.

 

[C.Ann]

Also, if you are just starting to take a multi-vitamin, it is safe to take two a day for the first 15 days and then go to a one-a-day basis..

Stress really, really weakens your immune system - especially if you're not used to dealing with a lot of it.. Try to avoid it as much as possible - and of course get a good nights sleep every night (and don't vary that schedule on the weekends - staying up later and then sleeping more hours than you normally would on a week day)..

 

[anniemae]

I do a lot of the things previously listed. Also, when I feel a cold coming on, I take Airborne. I also will take vitamin C drops during the winter. REally try to avoid touching your face, this is huge, and wash wash wash your hands. I read somewhere that we could cut like 50% of all colds and viruses by washing hands more.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am currently dealing with health issues that make it imperative that I avoid any and all illnesses to the best of my ability.. So - this is what I do:

I take a very strong multi-vitamin every day.

I drink as much Boost as possible - at least 6 a day.

When winter sets in, I avoid going out as much as possible - and try very hard to stay out of department stores, supermarkets, and the like.. When I do have to go there, I use wipes on the cart handle and make sure I don't put my hands near my face or my eyes until I can get home and wash my hands thoroughly..

I drink as much orange juice as my stomach will tolerate..

I try to schedule my doctor appointments at the least busy part of the day - which is usually the last appointment of the day.. (Waiting room is usually empty and I don't have to worry about being around other sick people..)

I stay away from emergency rooms and will not visit anyone in the hospital unless it's a life or death situation..

I get a flu shot - even though I have gotten sick from them in the past..

If I "feel" like I have a cold coming on, I take a hot bath every half-hour or so.. (A doctor suggested that years ago and it really does seem to stop it dead in it's tracks..)

Obviously, if I do come down with something, everything I use while I'm sick (thermometer; nasal spray container; etc.) gets thoroughly cleaned before I use it again..

I empty my wastepaper basket (with used tissues in it) several times a day - and before I get around to emptying it, I close the plastic bag liner each time I toss a used tissue in there..

I sleep with the heat OFF in my bedroom.. Warm air is a breeding ground for germs..

To the best of my ability, I avoid other sick people..

Wash my hands - wash my hands - wash my hands - and NEVER put them near my face, eyes, mouth, or nose if they haven't just recently been washed.. However, I do NOT use "anti-bacterial" soaps.. I have been told by numerous doctors that it's the worse thing I can do as it will only weaken my immune system further.. There is actually certain kinds of bacteria we need in order to maintain good health..
-------------------

I would look at your immune system and your diet.. Are there things you can do to improve it? If so, that would help a great deal..

I'm far from a germophobic, but circumstances are such that my need to avoid illnesses is much, much more important now than it has ever been.. It's a pain - but the alternative is worse!!

Wow. Sounds like you've got it under control.

Do you really drink 6 Boosts a day, though? Are those the 8oz?

 

[christiane]

Hope you get better soon!

Lots of good suggestions here. One I would add is to get a good full physical exam and routine lab work done. This should include checking your thyroid, white blood cell count, vitamin levels (especially B & D), glucose levels etc.

Have a look at your diet & make sure it is well balanced. Follow the USDA food guide. A diet high in sugar has been shown to suppress the immune system so limit the amount you eat & watch for it as a "hidden" ingredient in foods (as glucose, fructose etc). Eat live culture yogurt every day.

Take care of yourself!

 

[Goofycampers]

I agree with the advice you've already gotten, but also do you think maybe allergies could be part of the problem? Asthma is basically an allergic type reaction and some of the symptom you list are also. Allergies could be exacerbating things. Just a thought.

 

[christiane]

I drink as much Boost as possible - at least 6 a day.

C.Ann..does your doctor know you are doing this? Boost is just corn syrup, vegetable oil and milk protein with vitamins & minerals. Six cans a day is almost 1500 calories! Most women only need about 2000 calories a day.

 

[GeorgeG]

I think just about everything has been covered except...

Are you a smoker? There's a belief that smokers tend to get sick easier than non-smokers, all else being equal. Even being around people who are smoking can have the same effect, kids in particular. Often, kids from a smoking household will frequently have colds.

 

[C.Ann]

Wow. Sounds like you've got it under control.

Do you really drink 6 Boosts a day, though? Are those the 8oz?

Yes - and yes.. Fortunately I love the stuff!!

C.Ann..does your doctor know you are doing this? Boost is just corn syrup, vegetable oil and milk protein with vitamins & minerals. Six cans a day is almost 1500 calories! Most women only need about 2000 calories a day.

Yes - doctors orders.. I weigh 84 lbs. right now..