Saturday, October 3, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Here's What You Definitely Need to Know About the Flu
The Flu season is
just about to start. In the United States and the countries of the Northern
hemisphere, including our country, the flu season extends between October and
May. While some of us might get a mild form of the flu, others might experience
various degrees of severity, including hospitalization and in extreme cases
death1. In this post, HINT will provide you with all you need to know
about the flu disease.
What causes the flu? How is it spread?
The flu is caused by the influenza A and B viruses. We usually catch the flu through droplets released by infected people when they cough, sneeze, or talk. We can also catch the flu after touching a surface invaded by the flu viruses and then touching our mouth, eyes, or nose. It is important to know that we can catch the flu from infected people as early as 1 day before they manifest the flu symptoms and up to 5-7 days after they are sick. Young children, those who are severely ill, and those who have severely weakened immune systems may be able to infect others for longer than 5-7 days2.
Is it the flu (grippe) or the common cold (rhume)? What's the difference?
It is common during this season to hear people saying that they have the flu as soon as they have a sore throat or a blocked nose. Do all these people have the flu? Or is it the common cold?
As we have mentioned previously, the flu (grippe) is caused by the influenza viruses. Common cold (rhume) is also a viral infection; however, it is caused by different viruses, mainly the rhinovirus. Common cold affects the nose and throat and is spread by the same way the flu spreads3.
As for the symptoms, below is an easy guide to help you differentiate between the flu and the common cold4,5.
What causes the flu? How is it spread?
The flu is caused by the influenza A and B viruses. We usually catch the flu through droplets released by infected people when they cough, sneeze, or talk. We can also catch the flu after touching a surface invaded by the flu viruses and then touching our mouth, eyes, or nose. It is important to know that we can catch the flu from infected people as early as 1 day before they manifest the flu symptoms and up to 5-7 days after they are sick. Young children, those who are severely ill, and those who have severely weakened immune systems may be able to infect others for longer than 5-7 days2.
Is it the flu (grippe) or the common cold (rhume)? What's the difference?
It is common during this season to hear people saying that they have the flu as soon as they have a sore throat or a blocked nose. Do all these people have the flu? Or is it the common cold?
As we have mentioned previously, the flu (grippe) is caused by the influenza viruses. Common cold (rhume) is also a viral infection; however, it is caused by different viruses, mainly the rhinovirus. Common cold affects the nose and throat and is spread by the same way the flu spreads3.
As for the symptoms, below is an easy guide to help you differentiate between the flu and the common cold4,5.
Now
that we know what the flu really is, how it is spread, and how it differs from
common cold, HINT urges you to protect yourself and those around you. If you
have any doubt you have catched the flu or the common cold please refer to your
physician for prompt action.
To protect yourself and those around you, the CDC* advises the flu vaccine and hygienic measures as major preventive actions against the flu. What about them?
Relax, HINT will provide you with all what you need to know about these preventive measures in the next post.
Stay tuned.
* CDC: Centers for Disease Prevention and Control
References:
1. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
2. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/basics/definition/con-20019062
4. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm
5. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/basics/symptoms/con-20019062
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Great Inspirations from the Holy Eid to Boost Our Spiritual Health
Health is not only physical. Regardless
if we belong to a certain religion, there is an important dimension in our
wellbeing that we should take care of. It is the spiritual dimension.
Tomorrow is Eid-ul-Adha, a Holy festive celebrated by Muslims and Muwahhidun (Druze) in honor of Abraham's sacrifice of his own son for God. Whether we belong to Islam, Muwahhidun (Druze), or not, it is very enriching to learn from the wisdom and faith of each other in nurturing our spiritual health. For this purpose, let us have a closer look at Eid ul Adha and see what it has to reveal to us.
What is Eid-ul-Adha?
In the Quran, "Allah appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and told him to sacrifice his son Isma'il. Just as Ibrahim was about to kill Isma'il, Allah stopped him and gave him a ram to sacrifice instead1".
The Jewish Torah and the Christian Bible2 also discuss the story of Abraham with few differences from that in the Holy Quran.
You might be asking yourself, "How come God asks Abraham to kill his son? Doesn't that negate our human rights?"
At the time of Abraham, offering your first son to serve God was mentioned in the law3 and in the Mosaic covenant4, and the sacrifice would be an animal. However, in Abraham's case, God wanted to test his faith.
How is Eid-ul-Adha celebrated? What is its spiritual meaning?
In this festive, Muslims are asked to perform the Holy Pilgrimage.
"And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah5".
For them, Eid-ul-Adha is a time to remember Abraham's obedience and sacrifice and, most importantly, contemplate about one's obedience to God. It is also a time when those who can afford will sacrifice an animal and share one third of it among the family, one third among friends and the other third with the poor. Donating money to the poor is also common1.
On the other hand, the Muwahhidun (Druze) do not have the Pilgrimage obligation. For them, this holiday is "a celebration of God’s act of mercy" and "a reminder that materialism is an obstacle to entering the presence of God". It is a time to focus more on the deeper, long-term goals than on the short-term pleasures. It is a time to evaluate one's contribution to the community's benefit and appreciate God's blessings. It is a reminder to "cultivate truth, forgiveness, and love" in one's life6.
The Jews and Christians do not officially celebrate this holiday. Nevertheless, they consider Abraham a remarkable example in faith and obedience to God.
Reflections inspired by Eid-ul-Adha:
Below are few thoughts that we can reflect on during this Holy Eid:
- Am I aware of my spiritual needs?
- Am I taking time to reflect on my life, my decisions, and my actions?
- Am I frequently told that I am selfish?
- Am I proactively listening and responding to the needs of others and those of my community?
- Am I sacrificing my health and entire life searching for money and immediate pleasures to later spend the money on regaining my health?
On a final note, HINT wishes every Muslim Eid Mubarak and the Muwahhidun (Druze) “Inshallah bitkunu min al-ayyadin al-maqbulin wa EID Mubarak alaykum6".
Happy Eid.
References:
1. http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/e/eiduladha.asp
2. Torah and Holy Bible: Genesis 22
3. Torah and Holy Bible: Exodus 34:30 and Numbers 18:15
4. Torah and Holy Bible: Exodus 22:29
5. Surat Al-Baqarah verse 196
6. http://www.druzeworldwide.com/EidAlAdha.html
Tomorrow is Eid-ul-Adha, a Holy festive celebrated by Muslims and Muwahhidun (Druze) in honor of Abraham's sacrifice of his own son for God. Whether we belong to Islam, Muwahhidun (Druze), or not, it is very enriching to learn from the wisdom and faith of each other in nurturing our spiritual health. For this purpose, let us have a closer look at Eid ul Adha and see what it has to reveal to us.
What is Eid-ul-Adha?
In the Quran, "Allah appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and told him to sacrifice his son Isma'il. Just as Ibrahim was about to kill Isma'il, Allah stopped him and gave him a ram to sacrifice instead1".
The Jewish Torah and the Christian Bible2 also discuss the story of Abraham with few differences from that in the Holy Quran.
You might be asking yourself, "How come God asks Abraham to kill his son? Doesn't that negate our human rights?"
At the time of Abraham, offering your first son to serve God was mentioned in the law3 and in the Mosaic covenant4, and the sacrifice would be an animal. However, in Abraham's case, God wanted to test his faith.
How is Eid-ul-Adha celebrated? What is its spiritual meaning?
In this festive, Muslims are asked to perform the Holy Pilgrimage.
"And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah5".
For them, Eid-ul-Adha is a time to remember Abraham's obedience and sacrifice and, most importantly, contemplate about one's obedience to God. It is also a time when those who can afford will sacrifice an animal and share one third of it among the family, one third among friends and the other third with the poor. Donating money to the poor is also common1.
On the other hand, the Muwahhidun (Druze) do not have the Pilgrimage obligation. For them, this holiday is "a celebration of God’s act of mercy" and "a reminder that materialism is an obstacle to entering the presence of God". It is a time to focus more on the deeper, long-term goals than on the short-term pleasures. It is a time to evaluate one's contribution to the community's benefit and appreciate God's blessings. It is a reminder to "cultivate truth, forgiveness, and love" in one's life6.
The Jews and Christians do not officially celebrate this holiday. Nevertheless, they consider Abraham a remarkable example in faith and obedience to God.
Reflections inspired by Eid-ul-Adha:
Below are few thoughts that we can reflect on during this Holy Eid:
- Am I aware of my spiritual needs?
- Am I taking time to reflect on my life, my decisions, and my actions?
- Am I frequently told that I am selfish?
- Am I proactively listening and responding to the needs of others and those of my community?
- Am I sacrificing my health and entire life searching for money and immediate pleasures to later spend the money on regaining my health?
On a final note, HINT wishes every Muslim Eid Mubarak and the Muwahhidun (Druze) “Inshallah bitkunu min al-ayyadin al-maqbulin wa EID Mubarak alaykum6".
Happy Eid.
References:
1. http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/e/eiduladha.asp
2. Torah and Holy Bible: Genesis 22
3. Torah and Holy Bible: Exodus 34:30 and Numbers 18:15
4. Torah and Holy Bible: Exodus 22:29
5. Surat Al-Baqarah verse 196
6. http://www.druzeworldwide.com/EidAlAdha.html
Monday, September 21, 2015
Health: Have You Understood It Wrong?
For many of us, being healthy is
the absence of physical or mental disease. For others, it can simply mean not
having to show up at a doctor's clinic. Well-balanced diet and exercise might
come up on the list as well.
Is the above the true definition of health? Let us look at how prominent health organizations define health.
The World health Organization (WHO) is an international health organization whose role is "to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations’ system1". The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an American "health protection agency" whose mission is to "save lives and protect people from health threats2".
Both, the WHO in its constitution and the CDC define health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being3,4" and not only the absence of disease.
Now, we can say that there is much more on health that we have commonly known.
For this purpose, HINT was founded to provide you with reliable recommendations covering the various aspects of your wellbeing and to help you live healthy: mind, body, and spirit.
Please note that HINT does not provide diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your physician before taking medical decisions.
Stay tuned.
References:
1.
http://www.who.int/about/en/ Is the above the true definition of health? Let us look at how prominent health organizations define health.
The World health Organization (WHO) is an international health organization whose role is "to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations’ system1". The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an American "health protection agency" whose mission is to "save lives and protect people from health threats2".
Both, the WHO in its constitution and the CDC define health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being3,4" and not only the absence of disease.
Now, we can say that there is much more on health that we have commonly known.
For this purpose, HINT was founded to provide you with reliable recommendations covering the various aspects of your wellbeing and to help you live healthy: mind, body, and spirit.
Please note that HINT does not provide diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your physician before taking medical decisions.
Stay tuned.
References:
2. http://www.cdc.gov/about/organization/cio.htm
3. http://www.who.int/about/mission/en/
4. http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/socialdeterminants/definitions.html
© Copyright H-I-N-T 2015
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Welcome to HINT
It is a time we live in where stresses, lack of time, and chaos are too abundant that we are left living in silent despair.
"Silent despair? Why? How come?" This is what you might be asking yourself now.
"Yes! You are right," others might think.
Well, there are people among us who are living a happy life; however, for the numerous many, despair is what best describes their lives.
While several campaigns urge us to live healthy, stop smoking, exercise, etc. ads promoting unhealthy behaviors seem to have a stronger impact, taking advantage of our stressful lives and inability to make health-conscious decisions.
HINT will share with you reliable recommendations to help you live a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Stay tuned.
© Copyright H-I-N-T 2015
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