Some tips from Michelle LaCroix, Faribault Acupuncurist and Registered Nurse

WASH, CONTAIN, HEAL!

I get asked a lot, both as a nurse and an acupuncturist, about what to do for the ‘flu. My first response has been and remains this: WASH Hands ALWAYS! The virus is spread by contact to the mouth and nose. So if someone sneezes or coughs then touches something, all you have to do is touch that, then eat or touch your nose or mouth. Also, if you are around that sneeze or cough, you can just breathe it in. That is why covering your own coughs and sneezes is important.

The second recommendation isolation. If you do not need to go to a crowded situation during this time, don’t. Taking your baby to WalMart is not a good idea right now. With the pharmacies in many areas that have shopping options, sick people mingle with healthy folks. The best thing the big stores did was to use sanitizing wipes for the cart handles, but that does not stop the spray from a sneeze. If you could see just how far and wide a sneeze goes, you would be shocked. I’ve seen spray 3 feet out and 2 feet wide from a sneeze in a sun ray.

Another thought for isolation is do not go visit if you are not feeling well. Many times in the hospital sick people come to visit healthy moms and babies. That is very irresponsible and selfish. Also, no one that is caring wants to cause someone else to get sick. If you have symptoms that include fever, sneezing, coughing or just not feeling well, stay home and care for yourself.

The last recommendation, keep yourself healthy. Eat healthy balanced foods. Soda pop is not, sorry to say, a real food. It is meant as a treat, not a staple. It contributes greatly to supporting an acid environment in your body that in turns supports bacteria, yeast and viruses. Excess sugar is also an acidic agent. Vegetables in general are alkaline in nature which supports heath, and also help by supplying vitamins and minerals. Artificial vitamins are convenient, but it is the natural stuff in the vegetables that make their vitamins absorb better and faster. Meat is a necessary source of protein, which in turn helps to make and support your cells and tissues. Fish oil is very good to help your immune system also.

I generally recommend a whole foods diet. If you can recognize the source of the food, eat it.   Chicken Nuggets, for example, is what I call Mystery Meat. I really cannot tell what the meat is, let alone what the source is for the coating. It is very heavily processed so that the nutrients are most likely long gone. Yuk!

I am also asked about vaccinations for the ‘flu. In November a new vaccine for H1N1 should be available. The Official Public Health Stance is to be vaccinated. I, however, choose to not do so. As a hospital nurse and an Acupuncturist, I am exposed a lot to many germs. The practice of hand washing and personal protection is something I believe strongly. Also the above recommendations. I am not convinced about the safety of the vaccinations, in light of the controversies that abound. My thought is that there needs to be more serious, non-biased research and investigations. The deaths reported, to my understanding, involve people who have already had serious underlying health problems. So, should those folks have the shot?  In my opinion, that is between the patient and their doctor. I encourage people to get educated, not from “scare literature” offered by both sides of the controversy, but from logical, medical and scientific sources.

As far as treatments, generally Tylenol and Motrin help with the symptoms. Do be careful with cold medicines that contain Acetametaphine, which is Tylenol. Taking  remedies as well as Tylenol is harmful to liver and kidneys. If you  would  prefer to use alternative remedies, consult a competent homeopathist or acupuncturist. Practitioners that are licensed are safer than your friend of a friend who had good luck with some mail order remedy.

When in doubt, call your doctor or practitioner. There is never such a thing as a dumb question. Please be prepared to wear a mask if you go to the doctor, as that is to protect other patients there.

Stay healthy during this cold and ‘flu season, and if you do get sick, remember: WASH, CONTAIN, HEAL!