There has been an outbreak of colds and the flu in Illinois recently.  Allergy and sinus season is fast approaching.  This blog will give you 10 natural tips to get over your cold.  Most colds are viral based.  There is no cure for the common cold  as viruses mutate frequently so predicting the strain of cold or strain of flu becomes an educated guess.  Preventative methods and early, aggressive treatment is advised.   Take an active role in boosting your immune system with these 10 natural, conservative methods. 

***Medications are used treat the symptoms but NOT the cause! Symptoms including fever are the natural response of the body to fight off illnesses***

1. Hand Washing:  Most colds and the flu are delivered via hand to hand contact or via airbone particles spread through coughing or sneezing.  Hand washing is a simple, effective tool to wash away microbes.  Hand washing is more effective than hand sanitizing gels or wipes.  The Center for Disease Control states, “Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.”  (1)  

2. Sleep:  Americans are sleep deprived!  Sleep deprivation wrecks havoc on your body.  Lack of sleep causes chemical stress hormones to be released (ex. cortisol).  Cortisol is immune suppressing.  Lack of sleep also robs you of needed growth factors (growth hormone) and other chemicals (melatonin, seratonin and dopamine).    This chemical cascade weakens your body’s infection fighting reserve.

3. Nutrition:  Our favorite recommendations include Vit C, Vit D, Zinc, Lysine, Echinacea, Goldenseal,  Ginger, Cayenne Pepper, Rosemary Extract, Interferon, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Oregano, Quercetin,  Bromelain, Probiotics, Thyme, Turmeric and Ginseng…Vitamins, minerals and spices are natural ways to boost the immune system.  The above products can be categorized as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or immune boosting.  The net result of nutritionals is to assist your immune system in prevention first and expulsion of the pathogen second. 

4. Exercise: Exercise provides a protective effect against colds and flus.  Regular moderate exercise has been shown to boost immune response limiting the chances of contracting colds/flus (2).

5. Chiropractic Manipulation/Adjustments:  Adjustments assist in the immune response.  The analogy is similar to jump starting a car.  Adjustments jump start the immune system.  Within minutes after the adjustment, white blood cells and other immune agents are mobilized (“jump started”) to search and destroy (3).  They find the microbes and attempt to remove them from the body.

6. Sinus Drainage Massage:  This is a manual drainage technique to remove sinus congestion.  Often the first offender is viral.  Poor drainage from the sinuses leads to the sinuses becoming a “petri dish.”  This phenomenon can set the stage for growth of other viruses, bacteria or fungi/molds.  Manual techniques help the body drain.  Drainage decreases the chances for growth of other microbes limiting the duration of the cold/flu.  Check out this YouTube Video for a demonstration of the technique (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMOZOsVf9OA).

7. Acupuncture:  2 theories are noted (Eastern & Western).  Without getting too technical or theoretical, the Eastern theory restores the flow of Qi (energy) through the meridians of the body.  The restoration of energy through normal channels gets rid of the infection.  The Western theory is based on assisting in sinus drainage and decreasing the amount of stress hormones in the body.  Noted physician, Dr. Andrew Weil has stated, ” I recommend acupuncture, which can be remarkably effective for relieving acute sinusitis, an infection that can cause pain, headache, congestion and obstructed breathing. Acupuncture can ease pain and promote sinus drainage within minutes of the placement of the needles.”  The end result is improved drainage, decreased stress, and improved ability to fight the infection. 

8. Neti Pot/Nasal Rinsing/Nasal Flushing:  Nasal flushing is a mechanical way to irrigate the sinuses.  When congestion builds, it becomes a breeding ground for viruses, bacteria and fungi.  Research indicates that periodic flushing is an effective way to prevent or limit congestion and sinus infection.  Take a look at this slideshow from WebMD for more info (http://www.webmd.com/allergies/slideshow-nasal-irrigation)

9. Soft Tissue Mobilization/Massage:  This works similarly to adjustments.  Decreasing physical stress, decreases cortisol/cortisone and mobilizes white cells to fight infection.  Cortisone impairs the immune system’s response to stress. 

10.  Get Fresh Air:  Going outside during the winter without a coat doesn’t get you sick, despite what our mothers and grandmothers have been telling us for years.  Research actually supports the opposite, that staying indoors in the winter has a higher chance of getting you sick.  Airborne infection harbors in closed environments (houses, schools, malls, etc.)  If the weather permits, get outside during the winter.  If the weather doesn’t permit, air purification can help limit pollutants (dust, dander, etc.) that contribute to illness.  

References

1. http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/.

2. Nieman, D. Exercise and Immunity: Psychoneuroimmunology 4:21: 661-673.  

3.  The Effects of Chiropractic on the Immune System:  A Review of the Literature Chiropractic Journal of Australia . 1993:  23 (4):  132–135

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