Surviving The Cold and Flu Season
Did you know…?
That antibiotics are used frequently and unnecessarily to treat viral illnesses? This is creating an emergence of antibiotic resistant germs. The Halton Region Health Department has sent information out to the community reminding us that antibiotics may not be appropriate for every infection.
They state that, “Bacteria and viruses are tiny organisms that can cause infections. The major difference between the two germs is how they are treated. Antibiotics may cure infections caused by bacteria, but are not effective against viruses.” Your body’s natural defenses will cure most viral illnesses over time. Often rest and drinking lots of fluids will help. “When antibiotics are used and not needed, bacteria that are normally present in the body can learn to become resistant to the antibiotic. Sometimes the most resistant organisms will remain and continue to grow. These resistant bacteria can cause serious diseases that may be difficult or impossible to treat.”
Stress plays a major role in infectious diseases. Researchers have shown how stress on the body’s immune system can lessen a person’s immune response, which in turn makes him or her more susceptible to infectious diseases. In fact, current research indicates that 80% off all diseases are somehow related to stress.
In a study conducted to look at the relationship between stress and the immune
system, it was found that 50% of the stressed volunteers caught colds, compared
to only 27% of those with less stress in their lives.
Stress comes in many forms: physical stress, resulting from
car accidents, birth trauma, repeated lifting or improper seating posture; chemical stress from cigarettes, poor nutrition and prescription
drugs; and emotional stress due to a job, finances and relationships.
All three types of stress take their toll on your body causing interference
to your nervous system.
Certain changes in lifestyle can improve your ability to deal effectively
with stress and can increase your resistance to infectious diseases. These
changes include developing a positive mental outlook, maintaining
a healthy diet, regular exercise, getting enough sleep and maintaining a healthy
spine and nervous system.
The nervous system is the master control of all systems, organs, tissues and
cells. Interference with the nervous system (called subluxations) results
in compromised nerve flow and function, which in turn leads to a lowering
of the body’s natural healing ability. Chiropractors work on the spine to
find areas where there is disturbed nerve flow (subluxations). By releasing
the interference and allowing the nervous system to function properly, we
move towards greater wellness. Chiropractic care is the natural choice
for optimizing you body’s ability to deal with stress and fight infections.