Colds and Flu

Overview

Both the common cold and the flu are among the most common health issues. Each year, around half of all Americans encounter at least one cold, and 40% will develop the flu, also called influenza. Both health conditions display the same signs and symptoms, with the main difference being that virus symptoms are often more severe, last longer, and can end up being potentially fatal.

While conventional, drug-dependent medicine places emphasis on suppressing cold and flu symptoms with prescription and over-the-counter medications, practitioners of natural medicine look to address and correct the reasons individuals become vulnerable to colds and flu, particularly focusing on revitalizing the defense mechanisms. These approaches also provide the additional advantage of being free of harmful side effects, unlike therapeutic drugs, such as many well-liked over-the-counter medications that contain the common ingredient phenylpropanolamine (PPA) which has resulted in a number of fatal cerebral vascular accidents. In addition, the widespread use of antibiotics to deal with colds as well as flu are not only worthless—since antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, and both colds and flu come from viruses—they may also cause supplementary infections and impair bowel function, causing you to be weaker and much more susceptible to various other serious illnesses.

Typically, every year at the start of flu season, flu alerts appear in the media, along with recommendations that people receive an annual virus vaccine. The value of this kind of vaccines is questionable, however, and many people who receive them come down with the flu anyway. Moreover, there is growing medical evidence which suggests that the ingredients in flu vaccines may actually be harmful, and capable of causing serious damage to the immune system. For these reasons, professionals of organic, alternative methods recommend a health program that can significantly improve your capability to resist colds and flu or, if you do develop them, quickly recover from them.

Types

There are a number of types of common colds and flu, but all of them are due to respiratory system viruses, mainly a strain of virus known as rhinoviruses. Colds fall under two main categories; head colds as well as chest common colds. Either class of cold, if left untreated, can lead to more severe respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

There are literally hundreds of different virus strains. In contrast to colds, which can strike any time of year, virus outbreaks are generally seasonal , usually happening in late autumn and during the winter. For this reason, the time in which flu epidemics occur is often referred to as “flu season.” The flu may also result in bronchitis or even pneumonia, along with other serious diseases, such as croup, encephalitis (irritation of the mind), myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), and Reye’s syndrome, an illness that primarily strikes kids and which affects the brain and liver.

Symptoms of Common Colds and Flu

The difference between cold and flu symptoms is one of level. As a general rule, virus symptoms tend to be more severe and last longer, when compared with colds. The most common symptoms of each condition are body aches, cough, fatigue, headache, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, in addition to dry, sore, and/or rigid sinuses that may make inhaling and exhaling difficult.

A fever is another common symptom, and is more likely in cases of the virus. Diarrhea and vomiting also occur.

Ironically, although conventional medicine looks to control coughing, runny nose, and sneezing, these reactions are actually healthy and a part of your body’s attempts to cleanse itself from the infectious viruses and toxins that cause colds and virus to develop. Fever is another efficient immune response, and should be allowed to run its course naturally, except in cases of a fever that surpass 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Mucous buildup can also be part of the defense response as the body attempts to prevent multiplication of the invading virus. As the virus becomes engulfed in mucus, it is then expelled by the body in the form of phlegm. In general, this kind of immune responses are completely ignored or misunderstood by conventional physicians. As a result, the traditional medications they prescribe hinder this process as well as further deteriorate the defense mechanisms, causing colds and flu to last longer than they might otherwise.

Causes of Colds and Virus

Both common colds and flu are mainly caused by infections. However, being exposed to such viruses does not mean that you will develop a cold or virus. In addition, the seriousness of the signs and symptoms a person develops if he or she does contract a cold or virus can vary dramatically. For example, 3 people subjected to the same virus to the same degree might have 3 completely different reactions towards the virus. One person may not develop any symptoms, the second person might have a mild cold that only lasts for a couple of days, yet the third person might wind up bed-ridden with the virus and go on to develop pneumonia. It is the health of your defense mechanisms, not the viruses on their own that decide if you will develop a cold or flu as well as, if so, exactly how mild or even severe your symptoms are going to be. This is a theory that is understood by practitioners of alternative medicine, however mostly ignored by conventional doctors. Therefore, relying on conventional medical methods to treat and stop colds as well as flu may most often result in failure. As the late Emanuel Cheraskin, Maryland, DMD, the pioneering integrative physician, declared, “It is time to put to rest the idea that germs jump in to people as well as cause diseases.” Exactly what matters isn’t the virus, however, but the internal health of your body.

Other professionals of natural medicine point out that colds and virus may end up being one of the methods of detoxification the body uses to free itself of poisons in order to bring itself back to a state associated with health and stability. Based on these two perspectives, it is easy to see that attention needs to be placed on the various elements that can cause you to have a weak immune system and therefore be more likely to develop a cold or flu. The primary factors that weaken immunity and increase inclination towards colds as well as flu tend to be allergies, poor diet, tension, and the use of certain pharmaceutical drugs.

Allergic reactions: The primary allergic reactions associated with a heightened likelihood of developing a cold or flu is food allergic reactions that increase your body’s production of mucus. The most typical offenders are whole milk, wheat, and by products containing these. Such foods have a high mucus content and bring about allergic responses that further increase mucous production, while simultaneously deteriorating your immune system and increasing the risk of respiratory system infections.

Pharmaceutical Drugs: Based on the Physicians’ Table Reference the following drugs may all improve your risk of developing a cold or flu: Actimmune, AeroBid Inhaler Program, Aerobid-M Inhaler System, Alferon N Injection, Asacol Postponed-Release Tablets, CHEMET (succimer) Capsules, Intron A, Lopressor HCT Tablets, Nipent Injection, Permax Tablets, ProSom Pills, Rowasa Anal Suppositories and Rectal Headgear Enema, Videx Tablets, Powder for Dental Solution, as well as Pediatric Natural Dental Solution.

Tension: Stress is estimated to be a primary factor in more than 95% of all disease conditions, and is particularly responsible for increased susceptibility to the most popular colds and flu. When you’re experiencing stress, your body releases hormones that cause your thymus gland to shrink. Because the thymus gland helps to maintain a strong immune system, as it reduces, your immunity is lessened, thus increasing your risk of cold, flu and viral infection. Among the most common causes of tension are frustration, anxiety, depression, divorce, the death of a loved one, fear, job loss or a new job, moving to a new location, and nervousness. Lack of or sleep is also a major source of stress. Whenever you fail to get enough healthy rest, your body’s natural killer (NK) cells, an important part of your immune system, can be impaired, making it easy for invading viruses and other pathogens to enter the body.

Natural Remedies

The key to treating common colds and virus is to increase your body’s defense activity. The following organic therapies will help you accomplish this goal safely and effectively.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture helps to restore your system’s supply of ATP (adenosine triphosphate, which is produced in all cells and responsible for energy) as well as cortisol, a hormone essential for properly adapting to stress. Both of these results help to improve immune function. TCM can also help to balance and improve digestion, endocrine gland function, and also the health of the lungs and other organs, all of which also help the body fight off and resist cold and flu infections. In addition, acupuncture treatments can help prevent colds and flu.

Aromatherapy: Add any of the following essential oils to a pot of hot water: Camphor, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, pepper mint, pine, rosemary oil, or tea tree essential oil. Cover your head with a towel and bend over the pot, inhaling deeply.

Ayurveda: Professionals of Ayurveda medicine deal with colds as well as flu by helping your body to eliminate indigestible toxins, which attract viruses and impair immune performance. The herbs used to achieve this include ginger, cayenne pepper, black spice, long spice, and basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), all of which stimulate digestion. Patients are also advised to drink lots of warm water throughout the day, as well as ginger tea, in order to break up mucus and phlegm. Ginger tea can easily be prepared by adding several slices of fresh, raw ginger extract to boiling water, and letting the mixture steep for 20- 30 minutes before drinking. In cases of colds or flu with a dry cough, adding bits of licorice extract to the blend is advised.

Chiropractic Care: Many cases of colds and virus occur due to dysfunction in the nervous system because of spinal misalignments, which can considerably decrease immune function. Chiropractic care adjustments help to correct this issue. It can also be useful for people who tend to be susceptible to regular congestion as well as ear infections due to misalignments of the backbone along the neck and near the cranium. Additionally, chiropractic adjustments help to increase the overall working of the endocrine system, including the thymus gland, which can become impaired because of misalignments between your shoulder blades.

Diet: To improve your ability to resist colds and virus, emphasize fresh, organic veggies, such as celery, leafy greens, onions, and orange squash, which are consumed raw or even lightly steamed. You can also make fresh vegetable juices as well as soups, which will help the body remain in a rather alkaline state, free of acid. Also make sure to drink lots of water throughout the day, and avoid mucus-developing foods such as milk and dairy products, whole wheat, and most whole grains (millet as well as brown grain are suitable exceptions). Additionally eliminate all processed meals, selecting organic whole foods and free range chicken, poultry, and meat.

Herbs: Herbs have long been used by most world cultures to treat and prevent colds and flu, because of their ability to stimulate immune performance, and their antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-catarrhal properties. Herbs that can also improve immune function include astragalus, echinacea, goldenseal, licorice, as well as St.John’s Wort. Goldenseal is also excellent for helping to reverse irritation of the mucous membranes.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is another excellent herbal remedy for colds and flu. For best results, take garlic clove in higher doses. High-quality garlic capsules are more efficient in this regard than garlic cloves because they provide more concentrated doses associated with allicin, garlic’s active ingredient, which has been shown to improve immune function and to stimulate the production of flu antibodies.

According to Jonathan Wright, M.D., a holistic doctor, the following herbal combination method is also superb for both colds and flu: Cayenne pepper, Echinacea, myrrh, osha (also known as Porter’s lovage), and red-colored clover. This particular combination can be taken as a tea (3-5 cups daily) or as a tincture (30 drops of every herb, four times daily).

Homeopathy: Useful naturopathic remedies in regard to colds and flu include Aconitum napellus, Allium cepa, Belladonna, Baptisia, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Natrum muriaticum, Nux vomica, and Viscum album (mistletoe), an homeopathic remedy that can be used both orally or by injection.

Another popular homeopathic fix for colds as well as flu is Oscillococcinum, which is widely used within Europe. For best results, at the onset of your symptoms, take six pellets dissolved underneath the tongue, every six hours. As with other naturopathic remedies , avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes before and after.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of using water, ice, steam as well as alternating between hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments consist of full entire body immersion, steam baths, bathhouses, sitz bathing, colonic irrigation and the use of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for dealing with a wide range of conditions and can easily be used in your home as part of a self-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and day spas make use of Hydrotherapy in their treatment. We suggest several at-home hydrotherapy treatments. Make sure you seek the recommendation of your alternative health care practitioner before undergoing these methods to ensure they are appropriate for you.

Hyperthermia: Hyperthermia involves artificially creating fever in the body for the purpose of boosting defense function. Hyperthermia can be an impressive method of eliminating toxins and heavy metals, in addition to infectious viruses and bacteria that cannot survive in raised body temps. We recommend several at-home hyperthermia remedies. Please seek the advice of your alternative health care practitioner prior to undergoing these sweat-inducing procedures to ensure they are appropriate for you.

*Pure water is essential for any hydrotherapy and hyperthermia treatment. Remedies involving purified water offer clear instructions.

Juice Therapy: The following liquid combinations is a good idea: carrot, beet, and cucumber; carrot, beet, tomato, green pepper, as well as watercress; carrot and celery; carrot as well as spinach; as well as lemon, lemon, pineapple, dark currant, elderberry juice. With regard to added advantage, you can include garlic, ginger, and/or onion in any of the above juice combos.

Nutritional Supplements: The following nutrients can be extremely helpful for dealing with common colds and flu: Vitamin A (avoid using if pregnant), ascorbic acid, zinc (30-50 mg, daily), selenium (200-800 mcg, once per day), and D-Acetyl-Cysteine, or NAC (600 mg, twice per day). Other useful nutrients include colloidal silver, colostrum, thymus extract, and beta-1,3-glucan.

The late Robert Atkins, Maryland, founder of the Atkins Diet and an acclaimed alternative physician, suggested the following nutritional formula, which he recommended taking every hour for approximately ten dosages during the first day of cold or virus symptoms:

Beta carotene: 5,000 IU

Vitamin A: 300 IU

Quercetin: 80 mg

Zinc oxide: 25 mg

Vitamin C: 500 mg

Calcium supplement pantothenate: 80 mg

Citrus fruit bioflavonoids: 80 mg

Selenium: 30 mcg

Magnesium: 15mg

Garlic clove capsules with allicin: 160 mg

Folic acid: 400 mcg

Dimethylglycine HCL: 20 mg

Pyridoxine HCL: 4 mg

Riboflavin: 2 mg

Copper mineral (chelate): 1 mg

Niacinamide: 15 mg

As a common preventive measure, Dr. Atkins suggests supplementing with this particular formula daily and up to 3 times per day for people who were really susceptible to common colds and flu.

Topical Treatment: To treat head colds, spray your throat and nasal passages with witch hazel.

Optional Professional Treatment

The following treatments can also be helpful for treating and preventing colds and virus: Alphabiotics, Applied Kinesiology, Biofeedback Training and Neurotherapy, Detoxing Therapy, Environment Medicine, Energy Medicine (Gentle Beam Electrical generator), Fasting, Flower Treatments, Guided Imagery, Magnetic Field Therapy, Orthomolecular Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, as well as Oxygen Therapies (hydrogen peroxide, ozone). See Resources for additional information regarding these and other optional therapies.