Anoyone have any good tips for diabetics treating colds? They're going
around like mad here and I have never had one that I knew of before being
diagnosed. I never used medicine too much before except for Nyquil and I
don't have a bottle around to check the contents. Thanks.

"Timmy" <noone@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:vtsj60ikoi2p26@corp.supernews.com...
i just did a fast search on Google and found this page.

I gave it a fast reading and it looks pretty good to me.

as a diabetic though things sometimes aren't so simple.

its good to let your doctor know when you make any changes

to your diet. first thing I do when ever I get sick is eat a lot of
veggies. but not enough to give me bad blood sugar.

I only had 1 small cold so far since dx'ed hope the page helps. there is
more information

to this page on the link at the bottom.



Does loss of sleep depress immunity?

It can. But losing sleep for a few nights won't necessarily make you ill.
Many things boost or depress immunity temporarily. The number of immune
cells rises and falls naturally in healthy people.

What foods boost immunity?

An adequate diet helps maintain immunity and keeps you healthy. The immune
system needs such nutrients as protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Severely malnourished people are particularly vulnerable to immune
dysfunction, and they get sick more easily than other people and stay sick
longer. What most people want to know, though, is whether one specific food
or kind of food will boost immunity in otherwise healthy people on an
adequate diet. The answer is generally no.

What supplements boost it?

So far there's no reason to believe that supplements will boost immunity in
healthy people, except in the malnourished and many of the elderly. Though
severe malnutrition is rare in the U.S., some groups, particularly the
elderly, may be deficient in such nutrients as vitamin C, certain B
vitamins, and zinc. Studies suggest that raising nutrient intakes to
adequate levels can enhance immunity, and there is some evidence that
elderly people stay healthier if they take a multivitamin/mineral pill. In
contrast, other research suggests that megadoses of certain nutrients can
significantly suppress some immune responses.

Consider zinc, for instance, found in meat and grains, and often promoted as
an ideal immune-system booster when taken as a supplement. While some
studies show that zinc supplements can boost immunity and promote
wound-healing in the elderly, high intakes can actually suppress the immune
response.

A diet low in beta carotene can depress immunity, but it's not clear that
beta carotene supplements can correct the situation, or what levels of
supplementation would be helpful. Among the agents that have been shown to
stimulate immunity in experiments are bacteria such as those in yogurt, but
it's far from certain that consuming yogurt (with or without live cultures)
will promote resistance to disease.

What about vitamin C?

This vitamin is necessary to good health and no doubt to immune function.
But numerous studies have shown that vitamin C supplements have minimal or
no effect on the immune response, unless you are deficient in C.

Does exercise boost immunity?

Some research shows that sedentary people don't have as vigorous an immune
system as those who exercise. Moderate exercise (for example, a moderate
walking program undertaken by previously sedentary people) seems to improve
immune function. But there is also evidence that overdoing exercise may
depress the immune system: high-intensity or prolonged endurance exercise
steps up the output of two so-called stress hormones, adrenaline and
cortisol, both of which can depress various components of the immune system.

Olympians and other highly trained athletes often report that after intense
competition and training they are more susceptible to colds. Yet such news
should not deter athletes from competing or exercisers from exercising.

The health benefits of exercise are clear. Regular aerobic exercise is good
for the heart. Weight-bearing exercise builds bone and muscle. The idea that
your immune cells might not show a response to your exercise program should
not deter you from exercising or from beginning an exercise program if you
are sedentary.

Can emotions affect the immune system?

States of mind surely affect health, and extreme emotional stress may damage
immunity and bring on illness. But research into the link between mind and
immunity is in its early stages and has produced very little solid evidence
so far-and not much advice about how to protect the immune system from the
ill effects of emotional stress. An experiment may show that extreme grief
depresses human T cells, for instance, but we don't know if the rest of the
system is harmed, or whether the fluctuation means much.

Still, reports of increased illness and even death among the recently
bereaved are common. Cancer patients with a "fighting spirit" seem to live
longer than those who are despondent, but this may or may not prove
something about immune function. Good social support is thought to improve
immunity in people under stress.

Immune cells and nerve cells do interact. For example, when fighting an
infection, immune cells are able to stimulate the brain to transmit the
impulses that produce fever. Receptors for many of the chemicals released
during stress, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, have been observed on
the surface of lymphocytes found near nerve terminals in the lymph nodes and
spleen. This suggests that what goes on in the brain can interact with the
immune system to suppress or, conversely, enhance it.

What does smoking do to immunity?

Part of the reason smokers are at risk for lung cancer and respiratory
diseases may be that smoking suppresses immune cells. When smokers quit,
immune activity begins to improve within 30 days.

When and why does the immune system malfunction?

The immune system has so many built-in fail-safes that, in theory at least,
we should rarely fall ill. But, in fact, we do. Harmful agents such as HIV
can baffle our defenses. The system can simply be overwhelmed by the number
and toxicity of viruses, bacteria, or other foreign cells and toxins.

Though the immune system defends us against cancer, it is subject to cancer.
Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells; multiple myeloma affects
certain lymphocytes that produce antibodies. Cancers of the lymph system
include lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease. Some of these cancers can now be
successfully treated.

Sometimes the gatekeepers of the system go crazy, mistaking a basically
inoffensive intruder such as pollen, dust, or a bit of bee venom for an
enemy and causing the body to go into the red alert known as an allergic
reaction. In addition, the immune system can mistake the body's own cells
and tissues for "nonself" and attack them, as in auto-immune diseases like
rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus.

The immune system will also reject and kill potentially lifesaving organ and
tissue transplants, unless some way can be found to circumvent the reaction.
Though in theory a pregnant woman's immune system should attack the
fetus-which is nonself-it doesn't. This is because the fetus itself produces
a substance that shields it from the maternal defense system.

So how can I nurture my immune system?

Perhaps the most direct action you can take is to consume a varied, balanced
diet of vegetables, fruits, whole and fortified grains, and dairy products,
with small amounts of fish and meat if you wish. A basic daily
multivitamin/mineral supplement is usually a good idea for older people.
Beware of any supplement, however, that promises to boost immunity: protein
supplements, enzyme supplements, and the whole range of specific vitamins
and minerals, antioxidants, and nostrums that claim to boost immunity don't
strengthen it.

Regular moderate exercise is associated with good health and longevity and
will benefit your cardiovascular system, whether it boosts immunity or not.
Getting adequate sleep is also helpful. And, of course, don't smoke.

here is a link to the page

http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html...6Immunity.html

Tom

When I get a cold, which is not too often, I reach for the
Garlic soup. Use your own recipe, or get one on the Web
(make sure it contains chicken broth and at least 15 cloves
garlic for 4 cups of soup.) It always makes me feel better,
and I believe speeds healing.

TerryR

"Timmy" <noone@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:vtsj60ikoi2p26@corp.supernews.com...

"Timmy" <noone@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:vtsj60ikoi2p26@corp.supernews.com...
Get a nasal douche, Sinucleanse, Neti pot or something similar. This is a
device that allows you to clean out the sinuses with a mixture of salt water
or salt water and baking soda. Very effective! If you can't find such a
device, you can fashion one out of a paper cup, pinching one side to make a
spout, or merely snort it up if all else fails. A good mixture is 1 cup of
warm water, 1/3 t. plain sea salt, and a pinch of baking soda. This will
help to keep the sinuses cleared out. Do it morning and night, and
throughout the day if needed. Plain saline nose drops can also help. And
there is a moisturizing nasal gel called Ayr that is great if you are prone
to nosebleeds.

You can also steam your sinuses by adding a handful of rosemary to a pot of
water. Bring it to a boil, then sit over it and breath in the steam, taking
care not to get your face too close to the water. You can use a towel as a
drape over your head to help keep the steam in.

You can try OTC diabetic cold remedies such as Diabetic Tussin. It is sold
as a cough syrup, but one Dr. told me it is also useful for thinning down
nasal secretions. I find that most of it tastes pretty bad though. I did
find one store brand that was peppermint flavored and tasted good, but that
was in CA. Haven't seen it since. I have since found some diabetic cough
pills on line. The name is "Dex" something or other. They work well and
you don't have to taste them. If you need cough or throat drops in
addition, buy the sugar free kind, but use them sparingly because they do
contain carbs.

I've found relief with various Homeopathic remedies and also a nasal gel
called ZiCam. I sometimes take Echinacea, but it seems to be more effective
when you don't take it frequently.

Hot liquids are also great. Try tea and add a bit of lemon juice if you
like it. Chicken soup is also great! If you don't want noodles or rice,
add French style green beans, carrots and onions. Or just drink broth. I
like the College Inn brand with the roasted vegetables.

It's also important to drink a lot of water to help keep the secretions
thinned down. My ear/nose/throat Dr. said it is vital to drink 64 oz. of
water in addition to the liquids I would normally drink. When I have a
cold, I start the day out by drinking a full 16 oz. of water before I've
done anything else. I also take a large bottle of water to bed to sip on
throughout the night. And to keep things interesting, I drink seltzer or
sparkling water.

--
Type 2
http://users.bestweb.net/~jbove/

Timmy,
I'll second what Julie says about diabetic Tussin. I've used it for coughs
and congestion. But, it tastes AWFUL!!! (Bad enough to get a little dance
out of me!)
Steph


"Julie Bove" <jnospambove@bestweb.net> wrote in message
news:vtsup19sl0u601@corp.supernews.com...

In article <vtsj60ikoi2p26@corp.supernews.com>, noone@nowhere.net says...
Chicken soup.

Honest! ^_^

What you need right now is fluid, protein, and sodium. Chicken
soup will give you all those. You may want to eat just stock
or boullion so you can avoid the noodles; but then again, your
BG readings will be mucked up anyway so it may not matter that
much.

In addition to the soup, drink as much additional fluid as
possible (hot stuff is especially good); rest a LOT (your
bod is in overdrive to produce as many antibodies as it
can to fight off the cold; the less energy you use, the
more it will have for the fight); and take aspirin. You
can use additional over the counter medications to make
yourself more comfortable; hot baths, showers, a humidifer,
or inhaling steam will loosen up any mucus in your lungs
and throat and help you to breath easier.

And don't bother taking your BG while sick. The readings
will be crazy and will just discourage you.

Good luck!

FW

"Timmy" <noone@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:vtsj60ikoi2p26@corp.supernews.com...
Saw a bottle of cold medicine in the diabetic section of a long's drug
store. It stated it was ideal for diabetics. Don't remember the brand name
but it was a common cold relief company

"Frank White" <fwhite*NOSPAM*@colfax.com> wrote in
message news:brm20f$1rbe$5@news.fsr.net...

Unless of course Timmy is a type 1. One other thing, I
have heard it is dangerous to take aspirin if you have
influenza as it may cause Reye's syndrome which is
potentially fatal - this is more common in children and
young
adults, but known to strike adults?
http://www.reyessyndrome.org/ And do we know how old
Timmy is? Not always easy to distinguish a bad cold
from a milder influenza, so I would be thinking along
the lines of paracetamol (Tylenol).

"Timmy" <noone@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:vtsj60ikoi2p26@corp.supernews.com...
Well there you go, Timmy. Everyone agrees on the basics.

Basically it's what doctors have always prescribed, ie, bed rest and
plenty of fluids.

All the rest of the nostrums are for treating the symptoms to make
people more comfortable.

Annette



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<snip>

Thanks for all the advice. I'll be prepared now, but am keeping my fingers
crossed and my hands washed...constantly.

I used to do that with a paper bag up-side down over the pan and and a
nose-face hole cut in the bottom using vicks vaporub , or
better--mentholyptus crystals if you can find a pharmacy that carries them
these days

--
.....( remove the " 6 " to email reply )

<snip>

"Timmy" <noone@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:vtu3851igs7947@corp.supernews.com...
Do you have trouble holding the soap? <g>

FWIW, some people think that a quick rinse with water is almost as
good. Not so. With water only, most of the parthogens stay on your
hands. A little soap makes a huge difference. I've seen the
evidence in tests.

Annette



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