Mental Health
Management
Healthy Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Re-infection
Healthy Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Re-infectionTranscript (page 1 of 2)Having had pneumonia puts you at high risk for getting it again. But by making justa few healthy lifestyle changes in your daily routine, you can help your body becomehealthier, stronger, and can help prevent re-infection.You can help prevent the spread of infections by getting into the habit of washing yourhands frequently with soap and water, or using hand sanitizing gel if soap and waterare not available. Before meals, after using the restroom, and before preparing foodare all good times to wash your hands. This will help kill other peoples’ germs that geton your hands after touching objects like keyboards, door knobs, and handrails.It also helps to prevent the spread of your own germs, through coughing or sneezing,and after handling soiled tissues. And use disposable tissues rather than carrying ahandkerchief.If you are a smoker, the most important lifestyle change you can make is to quit.Smoking puts you at greater risk for frequent and more severe colds and illnesses.There are many ways and lots of help for you to quit and stay quit. Talk to yourhealthcare provider about smoking cessation.Also avoid secondhand smoke; it‘s damaging to your lungs.Making healthier food choices can help boost your immune system, and help youboth physically and mentally. One of the best changes you can make is to add morewhole grains, fruits and vegetables to your diet. This change can be achieved simplyby adding a banana to your cereal, having a salad with dinner, or eating whole grainpasta. Making a few changes at a time can help you get started toward better nutrition.If you are not regaining your strength, you may need to see a nutritionist for furtherhelp. Your healthcare provider should be able to refer you to one.Another healthy change is to increase the amount of your physical activity. Exercise20% gradient meshwill help your body stay strong, including your immune system. It also helps relievestress, which is good because too much stress can weaken the body’s defensesagainst colds and flu.healthclipshealthclipsStart slowly as you add more exercise to your daily routine. Your goal is to reach theactivity level you had prior to your infection.healthclips(cont. next page)healthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_pd_10038_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshHealthy Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Re-infectionTranscript (page 2 of 2)Aerobic activity is best. But don’t do too much at one time; take small steps such astaking a 10 minute walk, working in the yard for 15 minutes, or parking further awayfrom the store.Your healthcare provider might also recommend you take supplements like zinc,vitamin C, and Echinacea when you start to feel a cold coming on. These may helpstrengthen your body’s defenses and shorten the amount of time you have the cold.These supplements are not for everyone, so be sure to talk with your healthcareprovider before taking any.Other things that can help the body’s defenses are flu and pneumonia vaccines. Thesecan help reduce the chance that you will get sick, and are usually recommended forpeople who have had pneumonia. Ask your healthcare provider when you shouldhave these vaccinations.You won’t be able to make all of these healthy changes at once – don’t expect to.Choose one goal to work toward at a time.Making healthy lifestyle changes is great for your overall health. They can help yourecover, and also help prevent you from contracting pneumonia in the future.If you need more information, talk to your healthcare team.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_pd_10038_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
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