‘Tis the season… and we’re not talking about holiday festivities; we’re talking about cold and flu season. With the chan
ge in weather we commonly begin to see more infectious viruses and bacteria making their way through our schools, workplaces and homes. Here are a few tips to help keep you healthy and minimize using those sick days:
- Get treatment at the first sign! This may be a sore throat, a slight cough, feeling rundown or even a slight fever. The sooner you seek advice and treatment the better the chances of boosting your immune system in time to minimize the number of days you’re feeling down and out. In-office hydrotherapy treatment has been found to increase the number of circulating white blood cells by over 6x! Acupuncture or trigger point needling can also be beneficial to boost the immune system and alleviate symptoms, while herbal, homeopathic and particular nutrient treatments can help fight viral and bacterial growth, relieve stuffy noses, fever, sore throats, sinus pain and cough.
- Keep yourself healthy! Eating a healthy diet while reducing refined sugar intake does wonders to boost the immune system. This time of the year we are much more susceptible to illness because we typically consume the most amount of refined sugars at our holiday gatherings and celebrations. A single teaspoon of sugar can depress the activity of your immune cells by as much as 50%! Taking a regular probiotic and avoiding food intolerances can improve digestion, which is important because 80% of our immune system is in the gut! Make sure your vitamin D levels are in the optimal range and consider getting some extra vitamin C in as well.
- See the doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: Severe sore throat, cough which does not improve in a few days, high fever, dehydration or being unable to keep down fluids, ear pain or if you see your little one tugging at their ears, severe sinus pain and pressure, new rash or if your little one is under 6 months old with a fever.
- Be wise when using Tylenol, Aspirin or Ibuprofen! We have a runny nose, cough and fever because these are reactions of a healthy immune system to the pathogen it’s currently fighting. The runny nose is attempting to push out the pathogen (i.e. bug), and the fever is designed to stop that virus or bacteria in its tracks and stimulate immune cell production and action. Consult your physician before self-prescribing a medication to reduce fever or block a runny nose. Taking these medications is rarely necessary and is a sure way to prolong your illness. Talk to your doctor for alternative fever management and symptom relief which won’t suppress the immune system and will help you recover faster.