What To Do When You Get Sick?
by Mitch Kennedy, Naturopathic Doctor
While
it may be accepted that everyone gets a “cold” or “flu”, it doesn't
have to be this way. Some doctors will tell you that genetics is a
major factor of whether or not are susceptible to colds and flus and
there is nothing you can do about it. I believe differently. While
genetics does play a small part, there's a tremendous amount you and I
can do with our lifestyle, diet and nutritional supplements to enhance
our immunity, and keep from getting sick.
Preventing
a cold or flu involves strengthening your immune system and avoiding
stressors that depress one's natural defenses. When you first feel
yourself becoming sick, there are things you can do to avoid becoming
ill or to shorten the duration of the illness. These suggestions are
especially helpful if you do them as early as possible.
[Please
note: Ninety percent of common colds are due to viral infections.
Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. They are usually only
prescribed when a secondary bacterial infection is likely.]
Eat Very Lightly Or Not At All
- With most illnesses, the appetite is diminished. This is a natural
response of the body. Energy is needed to fight off the "bug" and the
body doesn't have the energy to process food. Give your digestive tract
a rest!
Avoid eating sweets, baked goods and beverages containing refined sugars
- Look at the labels for “fructose”, “sucrose”, “corn syrup” and other
forms of sugars. All types of sugars are known to suppress the
phagocytic (bacteria eating) activity of white blood cells, our primary
line of defense against infection. If you can’t stop sweets altogether
then eat things that are naturally sweet like fruits and vegetables
(carrots), and drink fruit juices mixed with seltzer water or tap water
instead of opening a can of soda.
Avoid Dairy products at the first sign of a cold or flu -
Dairy products (milk, cream, butter, ice cream, cream cheese, cottage
cheese, and yogurt) stimulate the production of mucous in the body. The
excess mucous can cause pressure in the sinuses, headaches, and further
decrease the effectiveness of your immune system. If the only reason
you drink milk is for the “calcium”, you would be better served taking a
quality calcium supplement. Aside from its mucogenic properties and
the inability of most adults to digest the lactose, non-organic milk
contains antibiotics, growth hormones and pesticides that have dubious
effects upon our genes and biochemistry. There are many great dairy
substitutes out there. Check you local health food store.
Eat Raw Garlic
- If you can stand to chew a whole clove, that’s great, otherwise, chop
the garlic up and put it on top of any food you like (not sweets or
dairy.) Put the garlic on after you cook the food, as heat destroys
most of the beneficial properties. Try these: steamed greens (collards,
kale, Swiss chard) with olive oil and garlic on top, dip bread into
olive oil with chopped garlic and black pepper in it, or cook some pasta
and sprinkle chopped garlic on top.
Drink Plenty Of Fluids
- This is standard good advice. You can clear the toxins from a "bug"
out of your system with large amounts of filtered water and herbal
teas. Fruit juices are not good choices as they have a high
concentration of sugars in them. If you do choose to drink fruit
juices, dilute them with more than half filtered water.
Hot Lemon Tea
- While oranges and tomatoes have vitamin C in them, they can also
cause mucus. Lemon on the other hand is a great mucus cutter. Buy
fresh lemons, wash them in soap and water and cut them in half. Put a
pot of hot water on to boil, then fill a mug one third of the way full
of cool water and squeeze the lemon juice, about a table spoon (or less
to taste,) into the cool water. (You may want to use a strainer to
catch the seeds.) Then fill the mug to the top with the boiling water.
Making hot lemon tea this way keeps the lemon juice from getting too
hot to damage the vitamin C.
Get Rest As Soon As Possible
- Many people ignore the early warning signs of illness and keep
working until they "drop." You will take longer to heal if you allow
the illness to get a foothold. If you feel a sore throat, headache,
congestion, etc., coming on, take it easy. If possible, take a day off
from work. This may prevent you from having to take three days off
later on.
Dramatically increase your antioxidant intake
Recent
studies have shown that antioxidants (Anthrocyanindins, Vitamin C,
Vitamin D, Selenium and others) have a profound effect on preventing
damage to lung and intestinal tissues, and white blood cells. The best
way is through fruit!! The highest source of fruit-based antioxidants is
the Acia berry from the Amazon jungle (more than 15 times the amounts
found in the next highest (wild blueberries)- BUT only if its been
freeze-dried - as the Acai berry degrades quickly once picked.
Take a high quality vitamin supplement daily
- Our bodies use the vitamins we get from foods to handle the stresses
of everyday life. Unfortunately, most of us eat too few vitamin-rich
vegetables, and expose ourselves to too much stress. This leaves us
short on the essential nutrients needed to maintain our energy levels,
and our immune system. Supplementing our diet with a daily vitamin
helps to restore the levels of nutrients needed to protect our bodies
and its cells from bacteria and viruses. Spend a little extra to get a
high quality vitamin – one with the most biochemically active forms of
the vitamins and without fillers, preservatives, and dyes. Your
naturopathic physician may sell such a supplement or you can find
something almost as good at the health food store.
Prevent Contamination -
Studies have demonstrated that infections are spread much more readily
by direct contact than through the air. Cleanliness tips to help avoid
contamination of viruses include not sharing utensils or toothbrushes,
etc., frequent hand washing and frequent laundering of clothing or
bedding (especially for children sharing rooms).
Home Hydrotherapy Treatment
- The Hot Foot Bath: Soak feet in hot water and wrap yourself in a
warm wool blanket. Put a cold cloth on your head and relax while you
sit in a comfortable position for 10-15 minutes. Take care to avoid
getting chilled after this treatment.
Throat or Chest Compress
- Warm the throat or chest with a warm washcloth or hot shower. Dry
the skin thoroughly and apply a thin cotton wrap (to throat) or thin
cotton T-shirt (to chest) that has been soaked in cold water and wrung
out so that it is not dripping wet. Cover this with a wool scarf
(throat) or wool sweater (chest). Go to bed this way. By morning, the
scarf or T-shirt will be dry. This treatment increases circulation and
increases white-blood cell activity.
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In
addition to these suggestions, a naturopathic physician can offer
homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and prescription-only
nutritional supplements which can further accelerate your healing.
Dr.
Mitch Kennedy, a nationally board certified & licensed naturopathic
physician, treats people of all ages. Dr. Kennedy is trained in three
separate types of medicine: natural medicine, conventional medicine and
Traditional Chinese Medicine. This insures that health problems are
identified before they become chronic diseases and the every treatment
opportunity is explored. He offers programs for: Pain, Allergies,
Detoxification, Weight Loss, Memory Enhancement, and Longevity.
