| Current
Health Issues
On
this page you will find many health issues that effect us
in our daily life.
Call
for handouts on Cleansing and Detoxification, Weight Loss,
Diabetes, Hypothyroid, Hypoglycemia, Depression, Anemia, Chronic
fatigue, high Cholesterol, Fatty Liver, arthritis, psoriasis,
and more!
Common
Cold
Common
cold is the most frequent infection in the United States.
It is triggered when a virus attaches itself to the lining
of your nasal passages or throat. Your immune system responds
by attacking the germ with white blood cells called neutrophils.
More than 200 viruses are not recognized so the neutrophils
clump together to fight the infection. This causes achiness
and inflammation, with vast amounts of mucus in the nose and
throat.
During
the first three days, YOU ARE CONTAGIOUS. The virus needs
close contact with others and hot, dry air (dry nose and throat)
to spread to others. You can catch a cold virus by breathing
minute, airborne droplets from a cold sufferer’s cough
or sneeze, or by touching a virus-infected surface—such
as a doorknob or telephone—and then transferring the
germs to your nose or mouth. Colds do wear down your body’s
resistance, making you more susceptible to bacterial infections.
Common
Cold Symptoms:
-
Head and chest congestion, runny nose, difficulty breathing
-
Sore throat
-
Sneezing
- Dry
cough
-
Chills
-
Burning, watery eyes
-
Achiness all over
-
Headache
-
Constant fatigue
May
be something else if:
-
Whistling, wheezing sound may be asthma
-
101 degrees or higher may be a bacterial infection, sinusitis,
or bronchitis
-
103 degrees or higher may be pneumonia. Seek medical care
immediately
-
If symptoms occur with exposure to pollen, cats, perfume
or other triggers, or if symptoms last weeks, it may be
allergies
back
to top
Treatment
The
body needs to fight the cold virus while alleviating the
aches and congestion.
- Rest
-
Drink water. Well hydrated body can fight infection.
-
If chills predominate over fever eat less and use a simple,
liquid-based diet such as vegetable or grain soup. If
fever predominates, fruit or vegetable juices or fresh
fruit.
- “Painkillers
and Liver Damage” report from UC Davis:
Aceteminophen (Tylenol) can have disastrous effects in
the liver
-
Dr. William Bennett, Oregon Health Sciences University:
Drugs like Ibuprofen are responsible for as much as 20%
of all end-stage kidney disease in US.
- Sweating
therapy: Make hot diaphoretic tea from chamomile, cayenne
red pepper, fresh ginger root. Drink tea, hot bath or
shower, drink more tea, then cover with blankets and sweat.
Do not sweat to the point of exhaustion. After sweating,
change damp bedding and rest. Sweating once is sometimes
enough; if not repeat twice daily until symptoms lift.
-
Fever fights infection, so medication to lower fever can
undermine body’s defense.
-
Acetaminophen and aspirin may make congestion worse.
-
For sore throat, gargle with salt water (1/2 tsp salt
with 1 cup water)
-
Multi-symptom over the counter drugs may result in needless
overtreatment.
- Decongestants
can help temporarily break up nasal congestion. Take it
for five days and your body may rebound and produce more
mucus and worse congestion.
-
Pseudoephedrine increases blood pressure and heart rate,
and may be a problem if you have heart disease, high blood
pressure, prostate problems, diabetes or thyroid problems.
-
Cough suppressants may help with sleep or talking, but
coughing removes mucus and germs from your throat and
lungs. Always cover your mouth when coughing!
-
Antihistamines temporarily make breathing easier, but
at a cost: they clear up the nose by drying it up, making
nasal mucus thicker and harder to drain.
back
to top
Nutrition
and Diet
Vitamin
A: is a clear immune booster. Deficiency will
make you prone to infections. Helps mucus membranes maintain
their structural integrity. Helps antibodies and T-cells
fight invaders. More than 50,000 IUs per day can be toxic.
Foods high in vitamin A include dark green, orange and
red fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin
B6: maintains hormone levels, helps immune and
nervous system. More than 50 enzymatic reactions depend
on B6. Moderate deficiency is common. Should be taken
with a B Complex. They are found together in nature. Magnesium
is a cofactor for B6 absorption. Good foods are meat,
fish and poultry, grains, nuts, seeds, green leafy.
Vitamin
C: many believe vitamin C in megadoses can prevent
colds. This dosage may lessen duration and severity, possibly
because it is necessary for healthy neutrophils. Research
shows Vitamin C as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer.
It strengthens connective tissues and neutralizes toxic
substances. Foods high in vitamin C include broccoli,
cauliflower, brussel strouts, cabbage, collard greens,
mustard greens, parsley, chili peppers, sweet red and
green peppers.
Vitamin
E: increases resistance to infection, cell-mediated
immunity and phagocytosis (ability of the cells to digest),
and reduces damage caused by stress. Vitamin E is sometimes
called the fountain of youth. It is also good for cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, arthritis and cancer. Vitamin E is
difficult to obtain in therapeutic quantities. You would
need to consume 9 pounds of almonds. You want 400 IU.
Choose a supplement that provides vitamin E in the natural
d-alpha tocopherol with mixed tocopherols.
Zinc:
if your diet is deficient in zinc, your body is low in
neutrophils, so you are an easy mark for infections. Zinc
is available as a tablet or throat lozenge. Zinc is the
most important mineral to the thymus gland, without which
we cannot fight infection. More than 300 enzyme systems
need zinc.15mg-60mg per day is ideal. Too much weakens
immunity!
CoEnzyme
Q10: often referred to as the spark of life.
In doses of 30mg – 60mg it is a powerful antioxidant
to increase antibody production Research shows it to increase
macrophage activity. 30 mg is the maintenance dosage,
but 320 mg per day has been used to treat breast cancer
without side effects.
While
you have a cold, avoid dairy products which make mucus
thicker.
“Jewish
penicillin”, known as chicken soup has
evidence it really reduces cold symptoms. It keeps neutrophils
from clumping together and causing inflammation.
Helpful
Foods: bioflavonoid-rich foods such as cabbage
with hearts and green peppers with their insides. Others
include parsley, carrots, broccoli, turnips, scallions,
garlic, lemon juice, and grapefruit.
back
to top
At-Home
Remedies
-
Cough drops may soothe your sore throat, but stay away
from minty ones which dry your throat.
-
Dab petroleum jelly in and around your nostrils to protect
against chafing.
-
Keep your body hydrated by drinking 10 glasses of water
per day; this will replace fluids lost through perspiration
and runny nose.
-
Humidify your room to keep your nose and throat tissues
moist, especially in colder weather.
Herbal
Therapies
- Echinacea: stimulates immune response; enhances resistance
to all infection.
- Goldenseal: clears mucus from throat, contains natural
antibiotic berberine, which can help prevent bacterial
infections that often follow colds.
- Garlic: may shorten cold’s duration and severity.
Comes in capsules, tablets, oil to rub, or whole garlic
roasted or cooked.
- Traditional
Chinese Medicine Herbal Formulas are based on diagnosis.
- To
choose the appropriate formula we see if you are running
cold or hot, damp or dry, clear or yellow-green phlegm,
too much or too little energy, too much or too little
sleep, digestive issues, run down, and stress.
- This
is why we need quality time one-to-one.
-
This is why we may make a qualitative improvement
in your health.
back
to top
Prevention
A strong
immune system is the best defense.
-
Eat well
-
Do not smoke
-
Drink plenty of water
-
Do not consume too many sweets, salty foods, dairy and
eggs.
-
Dark green and golden-orange offer a protective effect
because of their rich beta-carotene (provitamin A) content.
This protects the surfaces and mucus membranes.
-
If someone has a cold, don’t share towels, beverages,
silverware
-
Wash hands frequently because cold viruses often survive
on doorknobs, money, and other surfaces.
-
With a cold, cover your mouth with a sneeze or cough.
Common cold can travel 12 feet!
-
Regular, moderate exercise strengthens the immune system;
saunas and hot baths may prevent cold germs from reproducing.
-
Have your overall health evaluated both in western terms
by your doctor, and in eastern terms by a practitioner
of Traditional Chinese Medicine. We offer free evaluations
that are always very educational.
Back
to top
Flu
IInfluenza
is an extremely contagious viral disease. Transmitted by inhaling
droplets in the air. It mutates constantly, so antibodies
often not effective. If ignored, may lead to bronchitis, sinusitis,
or pneumonia. Can be inoculated in fall. Acupuncture and acupressure
helpful. Gargle daily with lemon and tea tree. Goldenseal
and garlic helpful. Vitamin C and Zinc helpful.
Flu
Symptoms:
-
Fever 101-106 degrees
-
Sore throat
-
Dry, hacking cough
-
Aching muscles
-
Fatigue and weakness
-
Nasal congestion, sneezing
-
Headache
Back
to top
|
