What is immune system being pushed to the limit as discussed by Dallas Health expert Tim Wallace.

What is immune system being pushed to the limit as discussed by Dallas Health expert Tim Wallace.

It is winter, 2013 and the influenza virus has hit with a vengeance.  People are reporting severe symptoms that last for up to two weeks.  Many I have talked with have had their symptoms degenerate into bronchitis.

So what is it that has some people get sick with the flu and others skate right through the season without a single symptom?  Why to some people get over the flu or colds very quickly and others suffer quite a long time?

the influenza virus, flu, Pathogens

I am feeling that it is the immune system that determines an individual’s resistance level to these pathogens.   Doing whatever we can to strengthen and support our body’s natural resistance mechanisms is key to maintaining a healthy life.  There are choices we make in life and lifestyle that help to dictate whether or not we get the flu.

Here are some examples:

  • Working late repetitively can cause your body’s energy and nutritional resources to be channeled away from internal activities that keep your immune system up and running, ready to fight off germs.
  • Sleeping fewer than your normal actually needed hours.  During sleep the body repairs itself in many ways.  One of those “rebooting” activities during sleep is your immune system.
  • Drinking excessive alcoholic beverages.  Some of the things that alcohol does is dehydrate the body, slow the body functions down and consume many of the nutrients needed to maintain good health.
  • Forgetting or neglecting to drink enough water.  Water is a natural detoxification agent.  When there is not enough water in the system, toxins build up, move around and begin to effect normal processes.  This causes an unnecessary alert to the immune system, drawing its resources away from fighting unavoidable pathogens.   Water also helps to keep functions working properly, even in non-flu seasons.
  •  Eating a poor diet, rich in simple carbohydrates causes a shortage of the nutrients to build immune system cells.  Breads, sweets, white rice and regular pasta are examples of simple carbohydrates.  Better choices are whole fruits and vegetables.  Eat a variety of them and eat the skins if possible.

These are a few of the bad habits that negatively impact the immune system and can determine if you are able to go to work everyday this winter or if you are going to using all that sick leave and some of your vacation.

Be well. Perform well. Stay well.    Dallas Health Helpers  Tim Wallace

Dallas Alternative Nutritional Supplement Source Tim Wallace of Dallas Health Helpers discusses colds and the flu

Dallas Alternative Nutritional Supplement Source Tim Wallace of Dallas Health Helpers discusses the difference between a cold and the flu.

A flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.These viruses can cause anything from mild to severe illnesses and can even lead to death.Between 5 and 20 percent of the people living in the United States will get the flu in any year. Generally the flu is not serious enough for hospitalization, but because of this and the possibility of death, the flu is not something to take lightly.Some areas of the population are at greater risk than others of getting the flu.The most common symptoms are fever and chills, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat and muscle aches.Nausea vomiting and diarrhea can also occur, but are most likely in children than adults. The ordinary flu can lead to complications, including bacterial pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of current medical conditions like congestive heart problems, asthma and diabetes.

Flu viruses are thought to be spread person to person through air droplets from coughing or sneezing and also from touching something infected and then touching your hand to your eyes, nose or mouth.Adults can spread the condition about one day before they experience symptoms and are infectious up to 7 days after becoming sick.Symptoms may not arise until between one and four days after you have been infected, so the possibility is there that you will infect others before you are even aware that you are sick.The Centers for Disease Control recommends that you stay home at least one full day after your fever is gone. Children may pass on the virus for longer than 7 days.

There are at least 200 different viruses that cause symptoms that are associated with the common cold.They are known as rhinoviruses.These are most active in the early fall, springand summer months.Corona viruses also bring on the common cold and they are more active in the winter and early spring.There are about 1 billion colds in the U.S. each year.Adults experience on average 2 to 4 colds each year, whereas children are effected 6 to 10 times each year.Nearly 22 million school days are missed because of the common cold.

With all these incidences of colds and flu going around, one must take every precaution available to avoid getting a flu or cold. In a subsequent post, I will discuss preventative measures.One thing is to boost your diet with immune-supportive supplements.

Dallas Alternative Nutritional Supplement Source is about being healthy without drugs or synthetics.Call 214.871.9596 or email us to learn more about vitality and health.