5 DANGERS IN TRYING TO DIAGNOSE YOURSELF

No matter what web site you’re using, remember that self-diagnosis is a bad idea. It’s not as easy as it may seem and could lead you to incorrect conclusions. Feel free to research your symptoms, but let your doctor decide what’s ailing you. Here are five mistakes that could hurt instead of heal.

1. You take an OTC remedy without reading the label

When it comes to over-the-counter drugs, many people have a blasé attitude, thinking “They can’t really hurt me, right?” Wrong. Plenty of people end up with serious health problems from accidentally taking too much of an over-the-counter drug (such as a painkiller), overusing drugs such as laxatives or acid blockers, or taking something that interferes with another medication they’re on. No matter how innocuous a drug may seem, it’s always smart to read the label. It might surprise you.

2. You take an antidiarrheal if you have a fever

Never treat yourself at home with a diarrhea remedy if you also have a fever or if there’s blood or mucus in your bowel movements. These are signs of an infection and warrant a call to your doctor.

3. You take a daily aspirin without asking your doctor

Some people shouldn't take aspirin every day, especially since it can cause stomach bleeding. Doctors usually recommend it only for people who have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Women may not benefit as much from aspirin therapy as men. And some people appear to be resistant to aspirin’s anticlotting effects. (Tests are available to check for aspirin resistance, though some doctors question their accuracy).

4. You quit an antianxiety med cold turkey

If you've been taking an antianxiety medicine for a long time, do not quit abruptly. Talk to your doctor about how to gradually taper the dose. Otherwise, you could experience very serious complications such as seizures.

5. You use old antibiotics for a new infection

First, you should have finished the entire prescription the first time around. Second, many antibiotics are specific to the type of infection you have. Taking the wrong antibiotic might not work and can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making treatment for that type of infection more difficult the next time.

WHAT TO EAT WHEN YOU HAVE A COLD

Each year, there are lot of cases of the common cold around the world. Here's what to eat when you have a cold to beat the sniffles.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Eating a bowl of steaming chicken noodle soup provides more than just comfort when you have a terrible cold. In 2000, University of Nebraska researcher Dr. Stephen Rennard published findings in Chest, the journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, showing chicken soup contains anti-inflammatory agents that can ease a cold's symptoms. Dr. Mehmet Oz agrees. "Start with a bowl of Mom’s chicken soup," he has said. "Research has yet to show how it works (and how the heck Ma knew), but we do know that a nutrient-rich diet builds your immune system and fights inflammation."

Milk and Other Vitamin D-Rich Foods

Vitamin D-rich foods like milk or fortified cereal might help combat a cold. A 2009 study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that people with low levels of vitamin D reported more colds than those who weren't vitamin D deficient. As an added bonus, these foods may help boost your mood during cold weather months, according to researchers at Loyola University.

Carrots and Other Vitamin A-Rich Foods

All vitamins are essential to a healthy body, but Harvard Medical School says vitamin A is a key player in maintaining a strong immune system. When you have a cold, try eating sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, spinach, or collard greens.

Cold Green Tea

Green tea is full of antioxidants, which will boost your immune system even when you're already sick. Instead of sipping a hot mugful, Dr. Michael Greger suggests brewing it cold: antioxidant levels are higher that way compared to when it's made with boiling water.

Garlic

Garlic has been found to help prevent colds when consumed regularly, owing to its immune-boosting compound allicin, says Donna Cardillo, RN. Eat more of it when you have a cold, or try it raw with an orange-juice chaser.

Blueberries

Researchers from Cornell University found that blueberries contained the most antioxidants than any other fresh fruit tested, which should help beat your sniffles. Eat them alone when you have a cold, or sprinkle on a bowl of cereal or yogurt to add some vitamin D.

Tea

Tea is soothing when you're congested, especially a brew with natural expectorants like anise seeds. Health.com recommends the American Pharmaceutical Association's recipe: one cup of crushed anise seeds to one cup of hot water, flavored with sugar, garlic, cinnamon, or honey. Sip up to three times a day. If you don't like licorice flavor, try peppermint. University of Maryland Medical Center reported that peppermint tea acts as an expectorant, loosening mucus and breaking up coughs.

Fish

Health.com suggests eating oily fish, like salmon and tuna, when you have a cold, to take advantage of their omega-3 fatty acids. These compounds help reduce inflammation in the body, which can prevent your immune system from working properly.