Flu Season: Health Promotion is Disease Prevention

By Dr. Christine Zorad

Christine Zorad is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Certified Pediatric Chiropractor in private practice in Omaha, Nebraska. Visit www.icpa4kids.org

There is more fear being disseminated each year, along with more people being recommended to receive flu vaccines. When the “experts” are quoted in the news, why question? Healthy skepticism is beneficial for both Western medicine and alternatives.

What is fear except: false evidence appearing real. Dr. Marc Siegel, author of False Alarm: The Truth About the Epidemic of Fear says “We have set up a situation where fear is created, and then we try to create the treatment for this fear. The public gets the idea that the flu is going to kill them and the vaccine will save them. Neither is true,” he said.

Belief systems have a powerful influence on the ability to achieve a state of optimum health. I prefer to believe that the body is self-healing, is designed to adapt to the environment and can resist infection. If the body does succumb to a virus, not only can it find a way to recover, these successful challenges strengthen the immune system to make the body less likely to have chronic diseases later.

Health Promotion:

Making healthy habits part of a lifestyle continually promotes good health from the inside. A field of science called Psychoneuroimmunology has proven that in addition to physical stress, imbalances in a person’s spirituality, emotions and nervous system makes them more vulnerable to getting sick.

Eight lifestyle steps for balance, health and happiness:

1. Visit with a health practitioner who works to naturally boost the immune system. Chiropractors evaluate and correct nervous system imbalances (known as subluxations), acupuncturists help unblock the flow if chi energy, massage therapy stimulates circulation and release of toxins, meditation creates a sense of well-being and boosts the immune system as well. Every day we are exposed to physical, chemical and emotional stress that can cause imbalances so take care of yourself and the family!

2. Good hand washing techniques will eliminate most germs. It is suggested that using regular soap with warm water is sufficient and avoid anti-bacterial soaps unless someone close has immune deficiency issues. Teach children to cover their sneezes, coughs and wash their hands! Anti-bacterial hand gels containing alcohol also work.

3. Avoid sugar as much as possible. Americans consume 2-3 pounds of sugar each week. Sugar will greatly slow the immune system and can bring it to a halt. It is no coincidence in my opinion that the flu season starts around Halloween, carries through the Holidays and into the spring when diets tend to be the worst.

4. Get enough rest and sleep! Statistics show that Americans are getting less sleep as time goes by. Sleep deprivation makes the body unable to function at high levels, and more susceptible to illness. How much sleep a person needs depends on their age and what kind of stress they are experiencing.

5. Exercise to move toxins out of the body and reduce the effects of stress. Moderate exercise improves circulation and move the lymph system which does not have it’s own pump action. Movement is life so get moving! Athletes who over-train however become more susceptible to infections. Talk to your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

6. Take good organic vitamins and supplements. I recommend multivitamins, flax seed oil, fish oils, pro-biotics and antioxidants. It can be fun and easy to give children daily vitamins and minerals by making a smoothie using liquid versions of the supplements with yogurt, whey protein, and fruits. About 60% of our immune tissue is in and around the colon. Colon health is another defense to foreign invaders. Chinese medicine suggests cleansing the colon in the spring and the fall.

7. Breastfeed those babies! The innate immunity is what we are born with, and acquired (adaptive) immunity teaches and strengthens itself over time. Whatever the mom is immune to, will be transferred to the baby and offer passive natural immunity. Babies are recommenced for flu shots. Go to 909shot.com or icpa4kids.org to do some research on the vaccine controversy. If you decide to use the flu vaccine for preventive purposes it is a good idea to ask for thimerosal (mercury) free version.

8. Nurture your spiritual and emotional self. Harmful and traumatic experiences if not dealt with properly through support, therapy, guidance, prayer, or meditation can become “stuck” in our bodies. When a person works to release the core issues, they are so much healthier and freer to experience life on levels they never dreamt possible!

What to do if someone gets the flu:

Get rest and have plenty of fluids. If there is significant decrease in urine output, rapid heartbeat, unresponsiveness or listlessness seek medial attention right away. Pedialite is a good idea, or make ice pops out of sport waters. Some sport drinks have too much sugar to prevent dehydration.

Some studies show a cold or flu lasting on average 3.5 days longer when fever reducers are used. Sustained fever of 101 in an infant under 2 months old, 106 in a child or 104 in an adult can be dangerous and would require fever reduction and medical evaluation. Alternate ways to reduce fever are sponge baths, uncovering, homeopathy, acupuncture and chiropractic. The body under most circumstances, will self regulate a fever, and will not get into the dangerous range. Some exceptions to this are meningitis or vaccine reactions.

A remedy using a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in each ear may significantly reduce the symptoms and duration of colds or flu. Go to mercola.com to find the rationale and protocol.

The bottom line:

There are many ways to build the immune system, balance the nervous system and promote health. What is done to promote health will naturally prevent diseases. Trust in the body gives the confidence needed to relax and live life with out fear.

Dr. Christine Zorad

Dr. Christine Zorad D.C. offers Chiropractic services with
focus on individual as well as family health and well-being. She shares information that informs and inspires others about the process of optimum health and the process necessary to achieve that state.
Her perception regarding her responsibility as a Doctor of Chiropractic is refreshing and unique because she makes the process of healing understandable. To quote Dr. Zorad, “Life will put us into inappropriate patterns that are expressed on physical, mental and emotional levels. My passion in Chiropractic is to help change old patterns that prevent expression of life to it’s full potential.” Dr. Z is dedicated to children and specializes in pediatric care, as well as caring for the expectant mom.

“It’s easier to direct health and growth from birth, than it is to change an unhealthy pattern after becoming an adult.”

Dr. Christine Zorad, an Omaha native, moved back to the Heartland 8 years ago. She now practices out of Whole Body Health Chiropractic, 2430 S. 73rd St. #202, Omaha, NE 68114.

Dr. Zorad is a 1986 Summa Cume Laude Graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City. She and her 2 sons, James Skyler 15 and Christian 13 are active with Boy Scouts as well music, movies, exercise and enjoy outdoor activities.

Dr. Zorad is available for speaking engagements
on various health topics for those interested.

For more information call:

402-393-0280 kikichiro@hotmail.com