Living independently- health

Do this as soon as you get to uni or your new home then forget about it with peace of mind
Register with a local dentist and GP. Scrawl the telephone numbers (legibly) onto a sheet of paper and pin it on a notice board or somewhere obvious. And, enter them in your contacts book.
Organise some kind of first aid kit.
Now it's down to you to consume enough vitamins and be alert for signs of ill-health, stress and fatigue. If you're ailing, could be coming down with a cold, a glance through the appropriate section will put you on the right track.
You don't want bugs getting in the way of a good time, now do you?
colds
Common colds and flu are caused by viruses - of which there are 200 or so circulating. They can range from sniffles and headaches to streaming, thick nasal gunge, aching sinuses, chesty coughs and fever. Universities are breeding grounds for colds and flu - younger people lack immunity to all the viruses and spread them to each other. If you get frequent colds, you could be run down and may benefit from looking at your diet and lifestyle. A homeopath may be able to help you with constitutional treatment. See alternatives.
Help yourself
images
A cold lasts for around ten days, you will have to let it follow its course and build up your health to resist the next one! A bit of tender loving care to your body should prevent it from developing into anything more nasty, but keep an eye out for rashes, very high fevers, coughs with breathing difficulties and other signs that you may need prompt medical help. Feed a cold, especially with liquids, soups and vitamins. Avoid mucus producing foods, such as bananas, dairy products (including milk) and peanuts, while you have a cold, and upping your intake or oranges and other foods rich in vitamin C can help.
The Osteopathic Centre for Children suggests a simple if foul tasting remedy - which works - if you can face it! Grind up a mixture of equal parts of raw garlic and honey - say three spoonfuls of honey and three cloves of garlic. Store in the fridge and take one spoonful, two or three times a day. You could also increase your intake of Zinc and Vitamin C, by drinking orange juice, hot lemon and honey - especially if you've a sore throat - or taking vitamin C and Zinc tablets.
Wash it awayA simple, easy-to follow remedy advises that when you feel heavy, stuffy and as if you are about to come down with a cold then drink plenty of water served at room temperature alternating with cups of steaming herbal tea (lemon/blackcurrant or your favourite). This should help you through.
Working out what the bottle saysIf you buy an over-the-counter cold remedy or are prescribed one from your doctor, this is what they may contain:
· Decongestant - helps relieve stuffiness in nose and sinuses
· Antihistamine - helps to stop the constant runny nose, sneezing, tickly nose, throat and eyes
· Analgesic - relieves aches, pains, headache and can calm fever
Here are some links that might help:
NHS direct
Dr Anne’s virtual surgery
Student health