Natural Ways to Get Rid of the Flu

The day started like any other. The dog whined, and I stumbled out of bed over one book and right into a stuffed animal that was left in the hall to protect me while I slept. I moved down the stairs and grabbed my Samsung phone, so I could use the flashlight since the sun must not have a dog to jolt it from its slumber.

I began the potty lap awaiting success and wondered can dogs be taught to use the potty. I also began to think why is it I am the only one that gets up for the dog? Why am I the one that gets everything organized and takes care of everything? Then I remembered I have a T-shirt that says “Mom.” It means Master of macrocosm you know the person responsible for the whole world.

I am the kind of person who takes the world by the “horn.” I wait for no one or nothing. I need what I need, and I need it now because I do not have the time or the ability to juggle my full schedule.

While I was thinking about world domination or the trip I just took Ireland, I decided to check into my health on the app that is on my Samsung phone and yours too. It is called Samsung Health. It is free and tracks everything you need to be the best version of yourself. I am able to track:

1) Health goals
2) Track your activity (How many steps)
3) Biometric data
4) Stress level
5) Calories
6) Water intake
7) Track your progress against your friends
8) Start a health challenge with work out plans (I plan to do a “baby 5k”.)

And guess what? I can use my Samsung Health App to complete Online Doctor visits. Yes, you read right I can connect with a doctor right from my phone. I decided to give it a try. They are available 24/7. These online consultations may even be covered by your insurance coverage. They can even provide prescriptions to your local pharmacy if your condition requires one. The Samsung Health app provides the biometric data you’ve tracked in Samsung Health directly with the doctor you see online.

The program currently offers urgent care services only this October.

Common Conditions treated with Urgent Care
Sinus infection
Cold/upper respiratory infection
Bronchitis
Sore throat
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
Yeast Infection
Cough
Eczema
Pink Eye/Conjunctivitis
Stomach Infection (Gastroenteritis)
Hypertension/high blood pressure
Flu

Note: There will be services such as nutrition and therapy services.

I wanted to know how you can prevent the Flu because we can’t get the vaccine. I am not currently sick but I wanted to test the service for you, and I wanted to prevent getting sick this season. I simply filled out the information and selected a doctor. I was told it would take a moment for them to review my details. Then we met using my phone from the comfort of my couch. I didn’t have to deal with waiting rooms or people in the waiting room.

I found out while there isn’t a prevention for the FLU if you can’t get the vaccine these tips are very helpful.

1) Wash your hands frequently
2) Do not come in contact with people who have the FLU
3) Do not share drinks or food with others.

If you find yourself with the FLU in your system, it is imperative to get help within 48 hours. You can easily use your Samsung Health app to contact a medical professional. They can give you a prescription to limit the intensity of the FLU and help you through the condition.

You can also use the app on your phone to help with your goals of a healthier lifestyle.

I have been using my app to work on eating healthier, tracking workouts, and sleep which all positively impact my health.

The app provides your health care provider with the following information:

1. Biometric data with your doctor. Samsung Health measures these health data points:
2. Pulse (bpm) – The pulse is the measure of the heart rate, which is the number of times the heart beats per minute. The pulse rate may go up or down depending on various factors, including exercise, illness, injury, and emotion. A normal resting pulse rate for healthy adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
3. SpO2 – The pulse-ox measures the percentage of oxygen in the blood. The percent of oxygen in the blood can go down if a person is not breathing well, such as during an asthma attack or when they have pneumonia. It also might be low if a person has a disease such as congestive heart failure.
4. Blood Pressure – Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. Blood pressure can vary depending on exercise, illness, injury, and emotion. However, consistently high blood pressure is called hypertension and is related to a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
5. Weight (self-reported) – Weight is an important measure to understand the general health of adults or children. Any unintended rapid weight loss or weight gain is a sign of a potential illness.
6. Glucose (self-reported) – Glucose is the amount of sugar in the blood. Normally the body can regulate sugar in the blood appropriately, however, in times of illness, blood sugar can become dangerously high or low. Also, patients who have conditions like diabetes need their blood sugar closely monitored to ensure that they are at normal levels.

How did my visit go?

I found my visit to be delightful. I felt that the doctor was there for me. He was very helpful and asked me additional questions so he could make sure that my needs were met. I highly suggest this method of medical treatment. I used my device to select a doctor, and in under 5 minutes, there was a doctor on my screen ready to help me.

I am sure you are wondering “How much does it cost?”
Well, I have a promo code for you, so it is only $49. The normal price is $59. Let me tell you what it doesn’t cost. It doesn’t cost time spent in long lines, hours to speak to a doctor, payment up front and some crazy amount months later, getting sicker by being around sick people, and most importantly your health. You will speak to a doctor around our schedule, not theirs.

Use the promo code SAMSUNG12 to get $10 OFF of a doctor visit which is regularly $59, making it $49 with use of the code; expires 3/31/18.

Sign-up and try Ask an Expert and try for yourself on your Samsung phones. I also wanted you to know that people who sign up for Ask an Expert can earn Samsung rewards points, subject to the following terms and conditions.

If you do find yourself with the flu, I have found that these tips have helped me in the past get better sooner. I love Natural ways to get rid of the FLU.

• Keep yourself cool! Use a “BeKool” pack. It is a no-drug cooling pack that you can stick right on your forehead to help with fevers! I love that it is drug free and sticks really well, no more trying to hold an ice pack on your head!
• Get your rest! I know this is a tip you probably hear often, but it is probably the #1 way to help with any sickness.When you are resting your body has time to fight any infection and help you get better, sooner.
• Drink hot drinks! Hot drinks not only sooth irritation in your throat, but they will also relieve nasal congestion and keep you hydrated.  Hot tea or water with some lemon juice and honey is a sick persons best friend!
• Take a steamy shower! Steam is great for moisturizing your nasal passages, and the hot water can sooth aches and pains that often come with the flu.
• Blow your nose gently and often! Blowing your nose is better then sniffling, which will just send that mucus right back into your head. But it is important to note to blow your nose gently! Blowing your nose to hard can make you dizzy and cause an earache. The best way to blow your nose is to plug one side and blow gently, and do the same on the other side. (Make sure to wash your hands often after blowing your nose!)
• Eat chicken soup! No eating chicken soup is not just something that is comforting while your sick, it has been medically proven to help with colds and the flu. It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help relieve the congestion associated with the Flu.
• Drink some OJ! Or anything else containing Vitamin C. Vitamin C has an antioxidant that not only helps prevent infections, but helps fight them when you get one, so drink up!
• Gargle Salt Water! Gargling is a great way to sooth a sore throat or coughing. Mix 1 tsp salt with 1 glass of warm water and gargle several times a day.
• Take a Detox Bath! Going back to steam being great for your stuffy nose, take it one step further by making a “detox bath” All you need for this is 2 cups of Epsom salt, 1 cup of baking soda, and some ginger root! Make your bath water as hot as you can stand it and pour all the above ingredients into the  bath and soak for 40 mins. This will help detoxify your body and help you get rid of the flu sooner. (Note: I did this last night and feel at least 50% better than I did yesterday!)
• Eat some Garlic! Garlic naturally has a lot of antibiotic and antiviral properties and it can really help lessen the severity and time of an illness. I personally don’t mind the taste of garlic so I can pop a piece in my mouth and suck on it. But if you don’t like it as much as me, chew it up as quick as you can and swallow.
• Apple Cider Vinegar! Yep, apple cider vinegar is good for yet something else! A tsp in warm water gargled can help with a sore throat, and studies show it’s also great for killing viruses.

Disclaimer: Compensation for this post was provided to me by Samsung via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Samsung or MomTrends. Ask an Expert (Online Doctor Visits) is a service offered through Samsung Health that helps you easily connect to medical and wellness experts from your phone. Samsung Health requires a compatible Android phone and a Samsung account. The Online Doctor Visits service is available in the U.S., except in Arkansas. The service is not for people suffering from medical emergencies or serious life-threatening conditions. If you have a serious medical concern, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency department.