Friday January 26, 2007 SGN.org |
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Volume 35 Issue 04 |
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Saturday, Jul 05, 2008
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NEW COLUMN - To Your Health |
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| NEW COLUMN - To Your Health | ||
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by Que Areste, N.D. -
SGN Contributing Writer This is your column on staying healthy in an unhealthy world. If you have general questions you want answered or topics you would like me to cover, write to the SGN. I will try to cover items of interest to you and our community. It's the middle of winter, prime cold and flu season. What can you do to minimize the risk of getting a really bad cold or flu this year? If you get one, how can you recover quickly? You can you ward off or ease a cold or flu in many ways? First, keep your stress level as low as you can. If you find yourself getting all wound up, stop and take a few deep breaths. Take a break. Second, wash your hands often. It sounds simple, but is very effective. Third, avoid sugar as it depresses your immune system. Fourth, eat healthier food like nutrient packed fruits and vegetables; eat less junk food like potato chips, candy and sodas. To build your immune system, at the end of every shower turn the water temperature down as low as you can easily stand, and let the water cascade over your entire body for a few seconds. The water temperature should be cool on your face. If you can, let cold water pour over your feet. If you find yourself experiencing the first symptoms of a cold or flu, take some time off. If at all possible, call in sick to work. Your co-workers will thank you. If you are getting a sore throat, grate a carrot or a potato, steam it a few seconds, place it in some cheesecloth or very lightweight cloth, lie down and put the cheesecloth covered carrot or potato around your neck for about 20 minutes. This really works, I've done it. The beta carotene in the carrot is anti-inflammatory. The Vitamin C in the potato is antiviral. Do a wet sock treatment when you go to bed. Get cotton socks and wool or fleece socks. Place the cotton socks in ice water and wring them out well. Put them on, then put on the dry wool or fleece socks. They will act as insulation. Go to bed. You can have a warming cup of tea. Your body will want to warm up your cold feet and this will make your whole body warm. Viruses don't do well in warm bodies. If you always have cold feet or cannot warm up your bed, do not do this. It will just make you cold. If the thought of cold socks gives you a chill, try heating a tee shirt and socks in the oven on 250 degrees for 10 minutes. Make sure they are nice and warm, but not hot enough to burn your skin. Don't use the microwave, they will have hot spots. Put them on when you go to bed. By the time they have cooled down, you may be asleep and cozy. If you have congestion you can also use hot and cold packs over your sinuses. It works better if you have someone do this for you, but you can do it yourself. Get two bowls, two washcloths and a hand towel. Fill one bowl with very hot water and one with ice water. Wring out the cloth in the hot water, fold it in half and place it over your forehead and cheeks. Put the dry hand towel over the wet washcloth. Leave it in place for 2-3 minutes. Take everything off your face. Put the hand towel aside, put the washcloth back in the hot water and wring out the cold cloth. Put it on your forehead and cheeks, not folded, for 1 minute, covered by the hand towel. Repeat 3 times. This will help increase circulation around your sinuses and can decrease congestion. If you have access, use a sauna or steam bath to give yourself a low fever. Drink water while you are in the sauna. Take a cool/cold shower when you get out. You can place a cold washcloth on your head while you are in the sauna. Do not stay in hot saunas more than 15 minutes at a time. You can get out, take a cold shower and go back in. Having a cold or flu actually can boost your immune system. Having more than 2 colds or flues per year, or having a cold or flu you can't shake means your immune system is compromised. Slow down and take better care of yourself. You are irreplaceable. Areste is a naturopathic doctor with a private practice on Capitol Hill in Seattle. |
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