H1N1 ….Swine Flu

OK … News Flash…there is the press, panic and promotion of the Flu Vaccine issues.

It would seem if Armageddon is upon us with the various spins that are circulating in the media. So here is my take on the issues and I must underscore that these are my opinions and not necessarily the position of the CCO or chiropractic associations.

The first thing you need to do is calm down, take a step back and breathe. This is currently not a pandemic of biblical proportions.

According to the CDC:

WORLD UPDATE

WHO – 6 July 2009 — Cumulative Total number of confirmed cases of Novel H1N1 World Wide: 94,512 confirmed cases and 429 deaths.

Each year there are global deaths with the flu, not unlike global deaths with pneumonia, the common cold etc. The Center for Disease Control -CDC reports According to a CDC press briefing on 5/4/09:

“With seasonal flu, we see in the United States over 30 million cases. We see 200,000 hospitalizations and, on average, 36,000 deaths.”

This is a mortality rate of 0.12%
So you see when you compare the mortality rate with other seasonal flu’s the Swine Flu is not as freaky as one would have you believe.

OK …so what can you do to prepare yourself for the flu and its ill effects?

The first thing that comes to my mind is the undisputed fact that regardless of the vaccine people get the flu. I believe when your immune system is compromised or distressed you succumb to a state of dis-ease in your body.

Therefore aside from the obvious things like washing your hands and avoiding situations where you are exposed to flu carriers I suggest the following strategies to prepare you and your family.

You need to keep your immune system at the top of its game and I think those strategies must include what I refer to as the Five Pillars of Health and Wellness. The First Pillar is Proper Nutrition. This includes increasing your antioxidants like Vitamin C as well as feeding your engine (body) appropriately. As much as I hate to say you need to decrease your sugar intake as well. We cover these aspects in more detail in our Flu Workshop.

The Second Pillar is Proper Exercise. This will address not only cardiovascular but joint and muscle activity. When your body has proper mobility it functions at a higher level.

The Third Pillar is Proper Rest. Your body rejuvenates itself during your rest phase. You can only burn the candle at both ends for so long until there is an overload and typically your immune system is compromised.

The Fourth Pillar is a Positive Mental Attitude. If you become obsessed with being sick guess what usually happens. You get sick. It is like the chronic hypochondriac. On his tombstone he had inscribed “l told you I was sick.” Search for positives everyday. When the weather is miserable and rainy just look at like the sky is giving us free water. Find the silver lining and it will pay dividends.

The Fifth and I think the most critical Pillar is a Properly Functioning Nervous System. This is where Chiropractic comes in. When you spine and nervous system is functioning at its peak potential your body is operating at its highest level. Your nervous system controls your immune system as well as all other body functions.

During the Great Flu epidemic chiropractic care was very successful is helping those with the flu. You can google that story and perhaps it’s just me because I am a chiropractor but I think you will find it empowering and informative.

OK…so here is the deal. We will be hosting an in-depth workshop on flu prepared and readiness so email me at info@alliancehealthcare.ca if you are interested in attending.

If you would like to learn more information please follow us to our homepage at Oakville-Chiropractic where can leave your name and some details under the request more info heading so we can communicate more timely information regarding H1N1.

Thanks,

Doc