It can certainly help. If you suffer from low back pain, it's important to stay active and keep exercising to support low back muscles that are susceptible to injury or strain. This means that it's okay to keep walking and doing gentle strengthening exercises, in most cases.

An exercise ball, sometimes called a stability ball or fitness ball, is a large, inflatable ball that some people sit on at work instead of sitting on a standard desk chair. What happens when you sit on an exercise ball is that it's not very stable, causing your body to constantly make small adjustments using muscles in your abdomen, back, and pelvis to keep your balance. This "active sitting" increases core strength and supports and strengthens the muscles in your back. Sitting this way generally also forces you to use good posture. You can do many other exercises on a stability ball that will build up your core muscles and help reduce back pain.

While it's not for everyone, it doesn't usually hurt to try an exercise ball. Just make sure you buy a quality exercise ball and talk with the store sales person to make sure it's the right size for your body. As with any exercise program, speak first with your primary care provider or physical therapist to be sure that the exercises are safe for you and appropriate for any medical conditions you may have.

The causes of coughs are numerous and varied. When you’ve had a cough for more than two to three weeks, the important next step is to get it checked out by your primary care physician (PCP). A cough caused by a cold or flu usually subsides within those two to three weeks, and is called an acute cough.

When a cough lingers much past that, it may be termed chronic (ongoing), and you’ll want to work with your PCP to investigate possible causes, which may include:

• Asthma
• Allergies
• Heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Smoking
• Certain medications

If it’s a child that has the cough, it could also be croup, so it’s best to get into your child’s pediatrician or PCP.

Another factor that’s used to help discover the underlying cause of a cough is the sound. Your PCP will want to know if it’s a wheezing noise, a barking cough, or if it’s productive and you’re coughing up phlegm. The more details you can provide about your symptoms and type of cough, the easier it will be to diagnose it and get you on your way to feeling better.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest health concerns in the world.

When you take an antibiotic, many bacteria are killed, but resistant bacteria may remain. These resistant bacteria grow and multiply, and cannot be killed using routine antibiotic therapy. There are then fewer types of medications to fight these stronger, less responsive bacteria, or “super bugs.”

You can take steps to help stop antibiotic resistance by only taking antibiotics when absolutely necessary. For example, antibiotics are appropriate for bacterial infections—not viral illnesses such as most colds and the flu. If you are prescribed an antibiotic for a bacterial illness, take the medication exactly as directed—even if you feel better. This helps ensure the bacteria don’t survive. The same rules apply for your child, so never push your pediatrician or primary care physician for antibiotics for a runny nose or cold caused by a virus—this could only cause a worse problem in the long run.

You may be familiar with that achy feeling in your armpit or neck when you’re fighting an infection like a cold or flu. The culprit may be the lymph nodes, a part of your immune system that helps your body fight infections, germs, and foreign substances. Swollen lymph nodes (or swollen glands) are enlarged nodes.

In addition to the armpit and neck, glands are located in the groin, under the jaw and chin, behind the ears, and on the back of your head.

The most common cause of swollen glands is an infection. This could range from an ear infection or common cold to mononucleosis, tonsillitis, or a skin infection. Other inflammatory conditions, abscesses, or cancer could also cause lymph nodes to swell, but these are less common.

Most likely, if lymph nodes are painful, it means your body is fighting an infection and hopefully the swelling will subside as soon as the infection clears. If lymph nodes remain swollen, however, contact your primary care physician to make sure it’s not something more serious.

The answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. One symptom that seems to strike both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women may experience other symptoms more often than men. Women often have atypical chest pain and can experience a heart attack without the typical description of chest pain or pressure. They may instead have shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, or back or jaw pain The key is to know all of the warning signs—no matter what sex you are—and always call 911 if you think you are having a heart attack.

The following list from the American Heart Association outlines general heart attack symptoms in both men and women.

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. Some people describe it as feeling like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.  
• Upper body discomfort. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, as well as your back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. 
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, or experiencing nausea or lightheadedness, belching or indigestion, or unusual fatigue or weakness.

A final note about heart attacks is that they don’t always strike suddenly; sometimes symptoms develop more slowly over time so always be on the lookout for new symptoms.

Tamiflu is the brand name for a prescription antiviral flu medication called oseltamivir that may lessen the severity and duration of flu symptoms when taken within 48 hours of symptom-onset. Antiviral medicines such as Tamiflu and the other common antiviral Relenza® (zanamivir) are also thought to reduce a person’s risk for complications from the flu.

The question of who needs antivirals can be a difficult one for doctors, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently posted updated guidelines that antiviral flu medications be usedfor severe cases of the flu (people who have to be hospitalized, for example) and for people who are at high risk for complications (pregnant women, babies, and people with chronic conditions). These medications are not recommended for prevention of the 2009 H1N1 flu for healthy adults.

Like most medications, antivirals have side effects so the pros and cons of taking the medication should be weighed with a primary care provider.

Yes. It sounds strange, but it’s true. Redness of the eye occurs when blood vessels swell and is just one of the symptoms of pink eye (conjunctivitis) —but it’s not the only one. Others include swelling, itching, discharge, and burning. Some children may describe the feeling as having sand in their eye.

There are a few different causes of pink eye, and some are more likely to lead to redness than others. For instance, pink eye caused by allergies might not turn the white of the eye red, while a viral or bacterial infection may cause a very red eye.

If you think you or your child has pink eye, call your doctor. The cause will determine which treatment is right for your child. In the meantime, avoid contact with others, keep your child home, and help your child wash his or her hands often as viral and bacterial pink eye are extremely contagious.

Yes. While fever is a common symptom of influenza, or the flu, you can also have the flu without a fever. This is particularly common with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as “swine flu”) this year. Flu without fever also may occur in the very young, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

If you have the flu without a fever, you may have symptoms such as:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea and vomiting (sometimes)

You can also develop a fever after you have other symptoms. If this happens to you, the fever generally comes on quickly and rises as high as 104° F. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen* may help lower your fever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying home at least 24 hours until your fever goes away (without the use of medications). Of course, wash your hands often and cough into a sleeve or use a tissue to help prevent spreading the flu to others.

*Do not use acetaminophen if liver disease is present. If you have kidney disease or ever had a bleeding ulcer, consult your doctor before using OTC medications.

Tension, cluster, and migraine are the three most common types of headache pain. Symptoms can range from dull pressure, such as with a tension headache, to relentless throbbing and pain that feels like an ice pick, as is common with cluster headaches. Migraine headaches often cause pulsing pain on one side of the head that may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

Here are a few simple headache prevention strategies to help you ward off pain:

• Rest when needed.
• Practice good posture.
• Manage stress through exercise and relaxation.
• Exercise often and stretch tight muscles.
• Avoid your known headache triggers, such as alcohol or caffeine.

Everyone experiences headaches from time to time, but when the onset of a headache is rapid or the pain is severe, you may need some headache help. Chronic or recurring headaches, if left untreated, can also affect your job productivity and overall quality of life.

If you are experiencing recurring headaches, call your primary care doctor to discuss your symptoms and possible treatment options.

When you catch a sniffle or sneeze, it can be hard to know whether you’re coming down with the latest office cold or fighting a seasonal allergy.

Symptoms of both colds and allergies can vary greatly depending on the virus or allergen, but key differences can help you separate the two.

The common cold is a viral infection of your nose and throat. Most people contract two to four colds per year, and symptoms from each infection can last one to two weeks. Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance or allergen, such as pollen or pet dander. Symptoms of allergies can come and go, worsening with varying exposure to your specific triggers.

Matching the treatment to the cause

There are many home remedies for both colds and seasonal allergies. Whereas seasonal allergies respond to antihistamines, colds do not. To treat the “head” part of the cold, try a decongestant nasal spray for up to two days (use beyond this can result in worsening nasal congestion). As with any new medications, always check with a doctor before taking prescription or over-the-counter medicine. Additionally, many people find that drinking plenty of fluids and resting help to ease the symptoms of the common cold.

If you experience severe or prolonged cold or seasonal allergy symptoms, or have questions about how to treat either, contact your primary care physician (PCP). Your PCP will be able to answer treatment questions and may be able to help ease your discomfort.

Sprains and strains can occur when you don't stretch before exercise or other physical activity. It is easy to know you're in pain, but how do you know which type of injury is causing your pain?

Strains are stretched or partially torn muscles or tendons. Sharp pain, stiffness, tenderness, and some swelling may alert you to the injury. You may experience a muscle strain to your back, groin, hamstring, or calf, among other areas. When you experience a strain, you may feel pain, muscle spasms, and weakness. Additionally, you may not be able to move the injured area very well.

A sprain, on the other hand, affects your ligaments (tissue that connects your muscle to your bone). Sprains may be associated with broken bones. Sprained ankles are a common injury; they occur when the ligament tissue is stretched or torn at the joint. Mild sprains may heal quickly, but can be reinjured if not treated properly. More severe sprains may take longer to heal than a broken bone. Symptoms of a sprain include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Instability
• Loss of the ability to move and/or use the joint

Both strains and sprains have varying degrees of intensity—a doctor can help determine the severity of your injury, and decide whether or not you need an X-ray to check for a broken bone.

Lumps, bumps, rashes and redness are just some of the many different types of skin conditions. The most important thing you can do is watch your skin closely for changes and call your doctor as soon as possible if you notice something different.

Bacterial skin infections tend to be more serious and may require antibiotic treatment. Symptoms of infection can range from redness and tenderness to itching and open sores.

Some common bacterial skin conditions include:

Impetigo
Impetigo—a shallow, localized skin infection—may be caused by a staph or strep infection, and occurs in younger children on their faces, arms, or legs. This infection can be quite contagious and may require antibiotics.

Cellulitis
A much more extensive and deeper skin infection, cellulitis is often caused by staph or strep bacteria. Symptoms include redness, pain, irritation, and a feeling of warmth. This bacterial infection can be quite serious and often gets much worse in a short period of time. Changes can occur within 24 hours and should be monitored closely.

Call your doctor immediately if you think you have cellulitis. You will likely need an antibiotic right away, and in severe cases where care is delayed, hospitalization may be necessary.

Athlete’s foot
A common infection, athlete’s foot is caused by a fungus that thrives in moist environments. Preventive measures include wearing dry socks, avoiding tight-fitting shoes, and wearing sandals in public areas. Generally, over-the-counter fungal creams can treat a mild case of athlete’s foot.

Practicing overall healthy habits often helps prevent skin infections. However, if you do notice any new mark on your skin, or an old mark that is changing, make sure to call your doctor.