In today's edition of "Never Would Have Predicted This in a Million Years," neti pots are killing people. And this news couldn't come at a worse time -- right in the middle of cold and flu season! People swear by their neti pots. The are one of the most popular methods of naturally treating and preventing a cold going, and many folks use them religiously. So the news that two people in Louisiana died this year from neti pots is probably terribly upsetting to them, and have them wondering if they should just toss the little teapot in the trash or just give it to their toddler to play genie. But as with any major health scare knee-jerk, that is exactly what you should not do. There's a lot more to this story than just a very alarming headline.

You wake up in the morning feeling like crud: Your throat hurts, your nose is runny, your muscles ache, and all you want to do is crawl back into bed, pull your covers over your head, and sink into a deep, deep sleep.

But how do you know if what you've got is a cold or the flu? Both are respiratory illnesses and share many symptoms, making them very difficult to tell apart, but the flu can sometimes lead to more serious complications, like pneumonia or bacterial infections, which can be dangerous.

Air O Swiss 7144A humidifier can be the best way to combat the dry skin, chapped lips, and scratchy throats that come from living in the warm, dry air your furnace is churning out right now, and it's a great way to ease discomfort from a stuffy nose.

But which humidifier should you buy? Well, as with most things, you get what you pay for ... 

We're in full swing with cold and flu season, and if you haven't battled the nastiness yet, you probably will soon. Case in point: This has turned into a very, very timely assignment for me as I tempted fate last week by saying I hadn't gotten sick in a long time, and promptly developed the sniffles (sigh).

Usually a cold means you're just sick enough to be miserable but not sick enough to stay home and wallow for more than a day, maybe. You've just got to dig deep, power through, and make yourself as comfortable as possible. These 10 tips ought to help you get through until you feel better.

1) Stay warm. A cold can actually make you feel cold, or at least make going out into the chilly fall air feel worse than normal. Wrap yourself in warm, fleecy blankets and fuzzy socks at home, and make sure you bundle up with a hat, mittens, and scarf when you go out. If there's ever an excuse for a Snuggie, this is it.

Ever have one of those fall or winter mornings, days, or WEEKS when you just can't stop coughing your brains out? When almost no amount of cough drops under the sun are helping, and you feel like crawling under the covers? Yeah, we've all been sick as THAT dog at some point, and it's just awful.

Thankfully, there are some tricks you can pull from up your sleeve should the Worst Cough in the World strike! Here, six surprising ways to stop a nasty cough in its tracks.

Every year you probably ask yourself the same thing: Should I get a flu shot this year, or should I pass it by?

It's understandable that you might feel uncertain. There's a lot of confusing information floating around out there about flu vaccines, which are available either as a shot or as a nasal spray. For instance, a recent study indicated that flu vaccines offer you only "moderate protection" from catching this season's flu. That's hardly inspiring. On the other hand, "moderate protection" is better than no protection at all, right?

What should you do? The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive the flu vaccine each year, unless you are allergic to the vaccine. But even still, there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

Here are a few flu shot pros and cons to consider as you weigh what's right for you:

There's one thing that can do more to save lives -- and keep you cold and flu free this winter -- than any vaccine or medical intervention, and you've probably been doing it since you were old enough to stand at a sink. It's washing your hands!

It seems really simple, but any visit to a public restroom will remind you that some people still don't get the importance of hand washing (which is, quite frankly, gross). Even the most well-meaning among us don't always know when to wash their hands or what the most effective hand-washing techniques are.  

You know to do it after using the bathroom, before eating, and after handling stuff like raw chicken, but you should also scrub up:

You can get a flu shot. You can try every immunity boosting-prevention tip in the book. And still there are going to be those times when the flu hits you -- and hits you hard.

When that unfortunately happens, you'll be willing to try anything and everything that's rumored to help you feel better. The good news is you might not have to trek all the way to the pharmacy for a fast-acting remedy. That's because there are several items right in your own pantry that can alleviate your symptoms just as well as prescription drugs. Check out these six natural cures that could have you feeling better in no time.