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 It’s that time of the year again when many people tend to succumb to respiratory tract infections such as colds or flu. According to the Australian Lung Foundation, the common cold is the most contagious disease in this country and the most common cause of absence from school or work. It is also the commonest reason for a visit to the family doctor.
Nutritional supplementation, immune-stimulating and antiviral herbs can support the body’s natural defences against these ailments, potentially reducing their frequency and shortening the intensity and duration of symptoms.
Colds and flu – what are they?
The common cold is an acute viral infection involving the upper respiratory tract. About 50% of all colds are caused by one of the rhinoviruses. Coronaviruses and respiratory syncytial viruses may also manifest as the common cold. Influenza (“flu”) is a viral respiratory infection caused by the influenza viruses, which are classified as types A, B or C. (Influenza C virus infection does not cause typical influenza illness.) Mutations of the influenza A and B viruses result in the frequent emergence of new viral strains (antigenic drift), resulting in decreased protection by antibodies generated to the previous strains.
Signs and Symptoms Colds
After an incubation of 1-3 days, symptoms usually begin with a scratchy or sore throat, followed by sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and malaise. Temperature is usually normal. Nasal secretions are watery and profuse during the first days but then become more mucoid and purulent. Cough is usually mild but often lasts into the second week. Most symptoms due to uncomplicated colds resolve within 10 days. Flu – The incubation period may range from 1-4 days, with an average of about 48 hours. Typical characteristics in the adult are sudden onset of chills, fever, prostration, cough, and generalised aches and pains. Headache is also prominent, often with photophobia. After 2-3 days, acute symptoms rapidly subside, although fever may last up to 5 days. Other symptoms, such as cough and weakness, may persist for several days or occasionally for weeks. The flu may be complicated by a secondary infection, such as pneumonia, which should be suspected if there is a worsening cough, purulent or bloody sputum, dyspnoea, or recurrence of fever and other respiratory symptoms in the second week.
 How are they spread?
Viruses are spread by tiny droplets in the air from coughing and sneezing, or by direct contact, such as hand shaking or touching surfaces where there are infectious particles.
Risk factors for infection
Those with weakened immune systems are naturally more prone to infections. Many factors of modern life can compromise the integrity of the immune system, including stress, other infections, poor diet, nutrient deficiencies, and lack of sleep and exercise, just to mention a few. Without question, adequate sleep is an absolute necessity for good health. Many different physiologic processes occur during sleep including accelerated regeneration, rejuvenation,and enhanced immune function. In addition, essentially all growth hormone (GH) secretion occurs during sleep. GH is often referred to as the ‘anti-aging’ hormone as it has been shown to stimulate tissue regeneration, liver regeneration, muscle building, breakdown of fat stores, normalisation of blood sugar regulation and a whole host of other beneficial processes in the body. While we can withstand occasional sleepless nights, the consequences of inadequate sleep can be dangerous - even deadly. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, each year 200,000 sleep-related accidents claim more than 5,000 lives (other experts put the number at closer to 23,000 deaths). Shockingly, a survey of physicians found that 42% of them admitted that they had caused the death of at least one person because they have been too sleepy to make wise medical decisions or perform surgery properly. Research has also found that healthy men deprived of even a single night’s sleep have a 30% drop in the activity of their immune system’s tumour-fighting cells the next day. Chronic sleep deprivation is a serious problem that leads to a plethora of physiological disturbances including acceleration of ageing, mood and memory disturbances, impotence, night-time elevations in cortisol and insulin resistance. Normal sleep patterns The importance of high quality nutrition during human sleep is perhaps one of the least understood physiologic processes. Its value to human health and proper functioning is without question. Sleep is absolutely essential to both the body and the mind. Impaired sleep, altered sleep patterns, and sleep deprivation impair mental and physical function.Ref:Petra Hunter, ND,BHSc(Nat) FXMedicine Vol46 2007
Naturopathy offers a wide range of natural therapeutics which are supportive to the immune system and may assist in the management of colds and flus.
Why feel awful -when you don't have to?
I can advise you on how your lifestyle and diet can impact on your overall resistance to disease.
When all of your co-workers are dropping like flies, you can be the healthy one with a strong immune system. Germs won't want to live in your healthy body!!
Call 97290655 for an appointment today.
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