(Newswire.net — December 28, 2015) — Now days when someone is not feelong well they tend to first “ask” Google about their symptoms, then go to the doctor’s. At the touch of our fingertips we can receive answers to questions that we use to have to call or go see the doctor to find out.
Here’s a list of the top 9 questions we “asked” Google about our health in 2015.
1. Is bronchitis contagious?
Bronchitis is caused when the bronchi are inflamed, which produces mucus,resultin in coughing. It happens because of a bacterial infection, but not always. That is why this question is difficult to answer with yes or no. “In most cases, bacterial bronchitis and inflammation of the airways are not infectious by themselves”, said for CNN, David L. Katz., MD, director of Yale University Prevention Research Center in New Haven, Conn. and founder of True Health Initiative. “Often, however, the cause of bronchitis, is inflammation of the upper airways due to colds.”
2. Is pneumonia contagious?
“This answer would be – yes,” said Dr. Katz, who explains that pneumonia in most cases, is an infection that causes fluid-filled lung tissue – bacterial. So, if you come in contact with someone who is suffering of bacterial pneumonia, it is possible that these bacteria are passed on to you. However, there is a viral pneumonia, which is more easily transmitted from person to person. “When it comes to pneumonia, it should be known that the desease is contagious from the moment when a person starts to cough, which is usually soon after the first treatment with antibiotics.”
3. How much water should you drink?
“The easiest formula is: divide your weight in half. The number you get is the amount of water inounces you should drink every day”, said Keri Gans, RDN, a New York City-based nutrition consultant and author of “The Small Change Diet”. The Dr. added:” For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should be drinking about 70 ounces or nine cups of water a day”. Also, you should always take into account other factors: temperature, exercising, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding… because in those cases you need more water.
4. How many calories should I eat?
“It depends on the person’s age, height, weight, physical activity and general health”, explains Megan Roosevelt, RD, founder and CEO of Healthy Grocery Girl. “I never advise to my patients to count the calories. It is better to focus on balanced meals, including foods rich in nutrients and to eat small portions.” On average, women should consume between 1,400 and 1,600 calories, and those who are physically active need about 1,900 calories.
5. What is lupus?
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the skin, kidneys, joints, heart, nervous system and blood cells. This disease is very difficult to diagnose and is often confused with rheumatoid arthritis because the symptoms vary from person to person: it can be a headache, dizziness, joint pain, fever, rash. Lupus affects more than 1.5 million Americans.
6. How far along am I?
“Before ultrasound and blood test to determine how far along a pregnancy is, we watch some primitive information: the size of a woman’s stomach, for how long is menstruation absent, whenthe last period was – a pretty inaccurate indicator”, said Joshua U. Klein, MD, assistant clinical professor of OB/GYN and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. However, for women whose menstrual cycle is not regular, that is not a reliable indicator. In other words, this issue should not be a question for Google, but for the doctor.
7. When do you ovulate?
Ovulation happens when an egg is released from the ovaries into the fallopian tubes, where it can be fertilized by sperm. The ovulation is usually in the middle of the menstrual cycle, which is about two weeks from the last day of your last menstrual period, but only for the women who have regular menstrual cycle, explained Dr. Klein. But, if you get your period every two months, for example, it means that you ovulate every two months.
8. What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein that can be found in wheat, barley and rye. More and more people are turning to gluten free diets, because they are afraid of celiac disease, but experts point out that there is no reason for fear, except for people who are intolerant to gluten.
9. How long does the flu last?
“Typical course of the flu is seven to ten days”, says Dr. Katz and adds: “To avoid waiting for the flu to pass, try to act preventively: drink plenty of water, regularly wash your hands, eat vitamins, especially vitamin D, which has in orange juice and yogurt”.