Secondhand Vaping Exposure: Respiratory Risks for Kids and What Parents Can Do
Secondhand vaping exposure can feel deceptively “light” compared with cigarette smoke: the cloud is thinner, the smell may be sweet, and it disappears quickly....
Selenium for Immune Health: Brazil Nuts, Benefits, and Safe Upper Limits
Selenium is a trace mineral with an outsized job description. Your body uses it to build specialized proteins (selenoproteins) that help control oxidative stress,...
Shiitake Mushrooms for Immunity: Beta-Glucans, Cooking Tips, and Who Should Avoid
Shiitake mushrooms are more than a flavorful ingredient. They are one of the best-studied culinary mushrooms for immune support because they contain beta-glucans and...
Shortness of Breath with a Cold: When to Seek Urgent Care
A stuffy nose can make anyone feel short of breath, especially at night or when coughing fits disrupt your rhythm. But true breathing difficulty...
Sinus Infection vs Cold: Symptoms, Duration, and When Antibiotics Help
A cold can make your face feel “full,” your ears pop, and your nose run like a faucet—so it is no surprise that many...
Sinus Massage for Congestion: Pressure Points People Use and Safety Tips
When your nose is blocked and your face feels heavy, “sinus massage” can seem like a simple fix—no pharmacy run, no complicated equipment, just...
Sinus Pressure and Headache: Causes, Home Relief, and When It’s Infection
Sinus pressure and headache can feel like the same problem: a heavy forehead, sore cheeks, and a dull ache that worsens when you bend...
Sinus Rinse for Smell Loss: Does It Help and When to Try It?
When your sense of smell disappears during a cold, allergies, or a lingering sinus flare, it can feel oddly unsettling—food tastes flat, and even...
Sleeping Next to Someone Sick: Bedroom Airflow Setup That Reduces Risk (Without Over-Cleaning)
Sharing a bedroom with someone who has a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection can feel like an all-or-nothing situation: either you “catch it”...
Slippery Elm for Cough: Does It Help, and What Interactions to Know
A cough can linger long after the worst of a cold has passed—sometimes because the airway is still irritated, not because anything “serious” is...
Smartwatch “You’re Getting Sick” Alerts: Resting Heart Rate, HRV, Temperature, and What They Really Mean
If you wear a smartwatch or fitness ring long enough, you may eventually see a message that feels oddly personal: you might be getting...
Smoking and Respiratory Infections: Why Colds Hit Harder and How to Recover
When you smoke, your lungs and airways spend every day managing irritation, inflammation, and extra mucus. Add a respiratory infection—like a common cold, flu,...
Sore Throat Causes: Cold, Flu, Strep, Reflux, and Allergies
A sore throat seems simple until you try to answer the one question that actually matters: Why does it hurt? The cause determines what...
Sore Throat on One Side: Tonsil Stone, Peritonsillar Abscess, Strep, or Reflux?
A sore throat that stays on one side can feel more alarming than a typical “scratchy both sides” cold—and sometimes it should. The throat...
Sore Throat Remedies That Work: Salt Water, Sprays, Lozenges, and Hydration
A sore throat can feel deceptively intense: swallowing hurts, your voice turns thin, and even breathing cold air can sting. The good news is...
Spices for Congestion: Capsaicin, Horseradish, and When “Hot” Foods Irritate Airways
Congestion has a way of turning ordinary breathing into work, which is why many people reach for “hot” foods the moment their nose stuffs...