It’s cold and flu season. The cold and flu medications at the grocery store are almost entirely sold out and everywhere you go, people are coughing and sneezing and sniffling. Depending on the severity of your sickness or whether you have a cold or a flu, you could end up needing to stay home from school or work for days on end. As such, doing your best to stay healthy and avoid getting sick is essential – especially if you don’t want to end up spreading the sickness.
While many people only associate chiropractors with back pain, the truth is that a chiropractor can actually help you prevent a cold or a flu, as well as recover from said sicknesses. Here’s what you need to know about colds and flus, the difference between a cold and flu, and how exactly a chiropractor can help you stay healthy. Let’s get into it!
What Is The Difference Between A Cold And A Flu?
Given that cold and flu are often strung together, it’s natural for there to be some confusion about what the difference between the two even is. Is a flu just a more serious version of a cold? Or are they two different beasts just joined together due to how they tend to be more common at the same time of year?
While a cold and flu may have some similarities, in truth, they are caused by different viruses. Here’s what you need to know about the common cold and the flu.
The Similarities Between A Cold And Flu
Both colds and flus are respiratory illnesses that are highly contagious. They share many symptoms. They also tend to appear at the same time of year. However, they are not varients of the same illness.
The Common Cold
The common cold is typically much milder than the flu. Symptoms tend to build up over 48 hours and can last anywhere from 3-10 days. Colds generally don’t result in serious health problems.
Some common symptoms of colds include:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Congestion
- Sore through
- Watery eyes
- Slight body aches/mild headaches
You generally don’t need to see a doctor if you’re sick with a cold. However, if your symptoms worsen or don’t improve, you’ll want to seek out medical attention.
The Flu
The flu can range from mild to severe and can result in serious health complications and even death. While a cold takes time to build, flus usually come on suddenly. While the onset is abrupt, symptoms can last 1-2 weeks, and linger for up to 3.
Some common symptoms of the flu include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Body aches and pains
- Weakness and fatigue
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Vomiting and diarrhea (more commonly seen in children than adults)
The flu can lead to complications, such as pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and worsened chronic medical conditions. The best way to prevent the flu is to get your yearly flu vaccine.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help With Cold And Flu Symptoms?
The healthier your body is, the less likely you are to get sick. People who see a chiropractor on a regular basis generally tend to be healthier and get sick less often. This is because chiropractors improve your body functionality through improved blood circulation, reduced inflammation, and a stronger, more resilient body.
This means that seeing a chiropractor can help you to stay healthier, as well as to recover from your illness. This is in large part because of the impact that chiropractic care has on your lymphatic system.
What Is The Lympathic System?
Your lymphatic system is your body’s drainage system. When you’re sick and congested, your lymph nodes can get blocked up. You know how when you go to the doctor and they check your neck? They’re checking your lymph nodes to see if they are swollen.
How Chiropractors Help
Chiropractors put your body into alignment. This ensures that there’s no unnecessary pressure on anything throughout your body, so that it can function optimally. If you’re sick, this can help your body flush out the illness. If you’re healthy, it can help you prevent sickness.
Chiropractors can also help to reduce overall stress levels. The more stressed you are, the more likely it is that you’ll get sick, and the harder it is for your body to recover. Chiropractors help with the cold and flu by reducing the impact of stress on your body so that it can better prevent and fight off illness.
Ogden Chiropractic is here to help you this cold and flu season. Contact us today to learn more about how chiropractic care can improve your health or to schedule your appointment!