Alternative Home

Beauty Info

All about Pregnancy



Gearing Up for Flu Season


Well, flu season is coming upon us quickly, and most people would love to skip getting sick this year. The biggest question is?How? Here are the easiest ways to keep yourself and loved ones free of the nastiest of colds this (and every) year.

First of all, the flu is a virus. A viral infection cannot be treated with antibiotics. A virus can only overwhelm your defenses and multiply in your body if your body's defenses are not adequate to begin with. If you are strong, vital, and have a health immune sysytem, your body will most likely be able to stave off most colds, flus, and bacteria. The problem comes when you are stressed, eating poorly, not taking a good multivitamin, or have been recently sick. The traditional holiday season, with its stress, gift buying, wrapping, travel, visiting, and overeating, is a perfect occasion for you to fall ill with the flu. Here is what you can do.

1. Take a quality multivitamin. If you are not eating in the most stellar fashion, chances are you are low on many nutrients. This is just a fact in today's world. A good, quality supplement will provide you with the immune enhancing and flu fighting nutrients like zinc, vitamin A, selenium, vitamin C, and the B vitamins. Keeping your defenses up and your body healthy is the first line of defense.

2. Do your best not to become stressed. Stress threatens your immunity immensely. It's just not worth it to become stressed and sick. Try to remember what your goal is in the highest regard. Instead of thinking, "Oh no! I'll be late!" think "My goal is to arrive and do my best. I will take control and responsibility over what I can and do my best." If you show up authentically and remain true to your ideals while not getting bogged down in the stress of every event in the moment, you can truly do your immune system (and psyche) a service.

3. Eat well as often as you can. Now, we all know that fudge, pies, yams with marshmallow, and loads of rolls and butter may show up on our plates. They just tend to do that. But as often as you can, eat your veggies. Lots of veggies of all varieties. Eat whole fruit. If you eat grains, eat mostly whole grains instead of flour products. Don't overdo dairy products as they are mucus producing and hard to digest for some people. Drink lots of water throughout the day and go easy on the coffee, black tea, and try to avoid sodas altogether. Even diet sodas cause an immune lowering effect for hours after you consume. Sugar inhibits your immune system for hours after you eat it (or drink it) and is an invitation to all sorts of viral and bacterial nasties. So unless you are serious about inviting them in to stay, don't open that door too often.

4. Exercise daily. Even if you just go for a walk for 20 minutes, get in exercise every day. Your body needs it. It is good for the soul. Make it fun by going with a friend or your partner and talking. Or go alone and enjoy your thoughts. Go at sunset or sunrise for an enhanced experience.

5. Wash your hands. Most people get the flu by shaking hands, touching a doorknob, or picking up a phone in which the virus has been on and then touching their eyes, nose, hair, or mouth. The virus typically enters by the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth, but could enter through any mucous membrane of the body. During flu season, be sure to remain conscious of touching your mouth, nose, or eyes, especially if you recently touched an object that others may have touched. Wash your hands if in doubt.

6. If you do get the flu, see your naturopath immediately for a quicker resolution. Homeopathic remedies, herbs, hydrotherapy, and other treatments often help your body to more quickly eliminate the virus than over the counter products or doing nothing. Some remedies, if begun when you notice the first symptoms, can even prevent the flu from a full attack. You could also take home treatments that your family could take in order to prevent them from contracting the virus.

About The Author

For more information or questions on related topics, please visit www.MyWebND.com. Get all your health questions answered from a licensed Naturopathic physician without the wait for an office visit. Well-researched, reliable information is now available and easy to find.

info@myWebND.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Alternative medicine to be topic of lunch
Port Clinton News Herald
20 on complimentary and alternative medicine. Judy Paschen will give an overview of some of the more common practices such as massage, Reiki, ...

and more »


Important ethical issues for alternative medical practitioners
Helium
For anyone running a business in alternative medicine, there are ethical issues that arise in the treatment of patients. ...



American's Choose Alternative Treatments for Chronic Pain in Lieu of Harmful Drugs
allvoices
Currently, there has been a tremendous increase in the area of alternative medicine expenditures. Why is it that alternative medicine treatments are ...



Alternative medicine topic for luncheon talk
The Beacon
Magruder Hospital will be hosting an educational luncheon on Complimentary and Alternative Medicine at noon Sept. 20. Judy Paschen, LMT, will talk about ...



New York Times

Imagining the Prophet
New York Times
As a leader of alternative medicine who was born in India and raised as a Hindu before opening a wellness center in California, what led you to write your ...

and more »


NY1

NYer Of The Week: Vet Provides Older Dogs With Alternative Medicine
NY1
"The animals historically respond very well to these alternative treatments," says Gladstein. "It just took three sessions and after the three sessions he ...

and more »


TopNews United Kingdom (blog)

Avoiding black and white judgments on placebo effect in medical treatment
Mainichi Daily News
Alternative Medicine on Trial." One of the authors of the book, Simon Singh, is the science writer I trust the most. At the same time, however, ...
The Other Option: Explorations in Integrative MedicineLoudoun Independent

all 10 news articles »


Royal campaign
BBC News
... on teaching styles and standards (especially English: he favours a more traditional approach); on alternative medicine (he is a champion of homeopathy), ...

and more »


About My Job: The Epidemiologist
The Atlantic (blog)
There is no such thing as "alternative medicine", only "alternatives to medicine". Once something has been proven efficacious, it simply becomes medicine. ...



Probiotics: should infants get lactobacillus reuteri (American type culture ...
Examiner.com
Their column covers integrative and alternative medicine. The doctor's column today (September 5, 2010) offers information helpful for infant colic. ...


Google News

Alternative home | site map | Beauty | Massage oils | Essential Oils | Health and Pregnancy | Alternative medicine Courses
Alternative medicine © 2006