Cold and Flu Prevention

It's getting colder!!

Each fall as the weather changes people come into the clinic more often with colds or sinus infections or even the flu.

NOW is the time to think about PREVENTION, which is very possible for all these ailments.

Of course, washing your hands, staying away from others when you are coughing or sneezing and getting plenty of rest are essential. But there is more you can do, and it's easy, inexpensive and safe. For approximately 900 years, people all over Asia have known and used medicines that both prevent and treat these illnesses, and in Asia they are considered "household remedies"; something every mom and grandma has in the cupboard and knows how to use. Today we have standardized, quality controlled products using these time tested medicinals that can be very specifically prescribed for your symptoms. Do you have more chills, or more fever? Are you thirsty or not? Differences such as these mean different medicine for optimal effectiveness. Using carefully chosen medicine, at the earliest stage of catching one of these 'bugs' can prevent days of misery, missed work and also reduce your chance of passing the illness on to others, since you are sick far less.

Each year patients who have used Oriental Medicine and acupuncture to maintain their health stock up for the winter with the Chinese Herbal Medicine prescriptions that fit their personal health needs. They also come in for 'tune-ups' once a month, so that they do not let small health concerns go unattended for long. These periodic, supportive treatments help keep stress symptoms minimal, energy maximized and encourages the body metabolism to return to normal, easily and quickly. That makes it easier to fight off infectious diseases!

Another important and often overlooked way to stay well is to....have fun! Yes, being happy, having fun, laughing and being creative has an effect on our immune systems. We all know how good it feels to be happy or do something we really enjoy; but we don't notice how it also affects our chemistry, immune system and brain function. Since fun is free, it should be one of the first things you do to stay healthy!

We are so fortunate to live here; there is a great variety of opportunities to have fun; many types of music events, a good library and two great bookstores, all sorts of outdoor activities (don't forget the exceptional Kickapoo Valley Reserve!), classes, good restaurants, and many other ways to have fun and share it with your neighbors and friends. See you out there!

"The test of a first-rate mind is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in the mind at the same time and to retain the ability to function."

-F. Scott Fitzgerald

Be Well, Be Happy, Be Safe, Have Fun

Susan

posted by: Susan Cushing