' Tis the Season
The
season has changed and autumn is upon us. This of course means change in
temperature to cooler and more windy, damp weather. It also means it is time to
think about protecting ourselves from the seasonal pathogen of influenza.
Western medicine and Naturopathic/Chinese Medicine
acknowledge influenza as a seasonal illness but address it in very different
ways.
Western Medicine
According to the Center for Disease Control, flu season
lasts from October to May with every flu season being a bit different and
affecting people in a variety of ways. We know in both Western and Naturpathic/Chinese
Medicine that those who are more vulnerable must take extra precaution to
prevent illness so not to have serious outcomes from the influenza virus.
Western Medicine recommends the flu vaccine as one of the
priority measures of prevention. Take a look at the CDC website for
recommendations about who should receive the vaccine, how the vaccine works and
when it is recommended to get a vaccine.
Chinese Medicine and
Naturopathic Medicine
Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Naturopathic Medicine focus on understanding the
patient's underlying constitution and the type of influenza virus and pattern of
symptoms. For example a common pattern in TCM manifests as a serious wind-heat
or wind-cold pattern, mixed with dampness or food stagnation while the less
severe type manifests as a milder wind-heat or wind-cold pattern, and the viral
pneumonia type exhibits as heat obstruction of the Lung.
For
further explanation of Chinese Medicine patterns and diagnosis, see:
The holistic
medicine practitioner must consider the lifestyle and constitution of the
patient such as stressful lifestyle, poor dietary habits, inadequate sleep, low
immunity or chronic illness that may not allow the person to protect themselves
from these climactic factors and seasonal pathogens. Naturopathic Medicine
places great importance on supporting the body’s vitality by supporting optimal
health with the previous mentioned factors.
Here
are some recommendations to prevent acquiring the seasonal flu:
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Wash hands often
- Stay home when sick
- Clean surfaces and objects in your environment
- Consider taking supportive supplements/herbs for your immune system and at first onset of symptoms. Ask your naturopath or Chinese medicine practitioner for recommendations.
- Acupuncture
- Hydrotherapy
- Lifestyle Modifications: adequate sleep/rest, whole foods diet, stress reduction, regular exercise.
Image
courtesy of: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=100111172.
Sick Woman Covered With Blanket At Home" by marin.
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