Stretch PT - December 2018

4Winter Illnesses You’ d Rather Avoid

KnowWhat to Look For Before They Attack

Achoo! That’s the last noise you want to hear this winter. Cold weather brings a slew of sicknesses, so be vigilant to treat these common illnesses, or better yet, avoid them altogether. The Common Cold Although there is no cure, a cold is easier to treat than other illnesses. If you or a loved one has a runny nose, low-grade fever, headache, cough, nasal congestion, or sore throat, the common cold has most likely taken hold. With the help of rest and perhaps some cold medicine, like cough drops and decongestants, the cold will come and go in about a week. Bronchiolitis Bronchiolitis appears most commonly in children less than a year old and is caused by other viruses. Of the many symptoms — nasal congestion, low-grade fevers, and coughing — wheezing is the one you should be most concerned about. If your child is having difficulty breathing and is dehydrated, they may have caught a more serious strain of the virus. Most children will recover with at-home rest, but some may need to be hospitalized for more severe symptoms. Influenza The flu is known for causing high fever, muscle aches and pains, nausea, and other symptoms similar to a cold. Often, the fever will last for

around five days, but it can be shortened with the aid of antiviral medications. However, these medications are recommended only for children who face serious complications or hospitalization from the flu. If you want to avoid catching this, your best bet is to receive the annual flu vaccine. Strep Throat A sore throat, headache, stomach ache, vomiting, and high fever are signs of strep. This infection is treated with antibiotics and should be addressed soon after the first symptoms appear to prevent further complications. Children with strep throat should stay away from school and other activities until they’ve been on antibiotics for 24 hours. Everyone knows that getting sick is no fun and is best avoided at all costs. However, it happens to everyone eventually. Catching a virus or infection in its early stages can help you shake the sickness much faster.

Testimonial

“I came to Stretch after the neck and shoulder tightness and pain I had been livingwith for years escalated to pain and numbness in one arm. I had tried chiropractic andmassage care in the past; it helped, but I felt it only kept my symptoms fromgettingworse. I never felt it truly improve. Whenmy issues escalated, I felt like it was time to take another look at my options. I went to an orthopedic specialist who recommended trying physical therapy. Going in, my expectationwas just relief of my current symptoms inmy arm, not relief of the neck and shoulder issues I had been dealingwith all along. After the initial evaluationwhich included someminormanipulation, I already had increased mobility inmy neck. Sixweeks in now, my arm issues have not returned andmy neck hasminimal pain and excellent mobility. I still have somework to do in my shoulders, but I never thought I would be settingmy expectations for relief this high. So glad I chose Stretch!” –Denise OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST

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