Wednesday, October 18, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
17
Pushing back against cold and flu season
is interrupting sleep, a sim-
ple remedy is a spoonful of
honey, which coats and
soothes the throat. Eat
lightly, avoiding dairy
and citrus which can
cause more mucus.
Hydration is important as
it loosens the secretions in
the nose, throat and lungs.
Teas are a good way to take in
immune stimulating herbs like
echinacea or herbs to soothe a
sore throat like licorice. In our
dry climate, using a humidi-
fier in the bedroom may cut
down on nighttime bouts of
coughing. Steam inhalations
can be used to loosen a cough
or to open sinuses. Get a pot
of water steaming, pull it off
the burner, drape a towel over
one’s head and inhale. Don’t
get too close! A few drops of
essential oil like eucalyptus or
peppermint may be added to
the water to assist in opening
breathing passages.
Hydration and steam inha-
lation are two of the positive
benefits of chicken soup, a
comforting and traditional
remedy. Some researchers
have found that the broth does
influence the immune system
in ways that may be beneficial
during a cold.
Vitamin D and probiotics may help you stay well
during cold and flu season.
Many of us have our
favorite remedies which we
swear shorten our colds or
flu. Unfortunately, few of
these hold up for a major-
ity of people under research.
Zinc is the nutrient with the
strongest research supporting
its use during a cold, in some
studies shortening the length
of a cold by a day. Zinc loz-
enges are recommended as
they keep the zinc in contact
with infected tissues longer.
Not everyone likes the taste
of these. Zinc nasal sprays
are not recommended as they
have caused several people to
lose their sense of smell, some
permanently.
Though echinacea is the
herb that gets the most press
for supporting the immune
system, elder has better evi-
dence supporting its use dur-
ing a cold or flu. It is immune
enhancing and induces
sweating, helping to
modulate a fever. Both berries
and flowers are used as medi-
cine. The berries are often
offered in syrup form, mak-
ing this herb more palatable
to children than many herbal
remedies.
Have a few things in the
home to be readily avail-
able when viruses do invade.
Stocking throat-soothing
herbal blends of teas, loz-
enges and elderberry syrup
in the cupboard and some
chicken broth in the freezer
make it easier to care for one-
self and family when illness
strikes and the last thing you
want to do is leave the house.
The rituals we use to care
for ourselves and our family
are comforting in ways that
cannot always be measured
in studies and will be remem-
bered long after the winter
season.
The Center
The Center’s diverse team of doctors provides
Central Oregonians with expert care and treatment
options designed to get you back to what you love
doing. Since 2012, Dr. Timothy Bollom has been
seeing patients in Sisters at St. Charles Family Care.
He treats patients of all ages and backgrounds, with
a focus on comprehensive care of knee and shoulder
injuries and conditions. From conservative measures to
sophisticated, minimally invasive surgical techniques,
he utilizes a sports medicine philosophy of returning
patients to normal activity as quickly as possible.
The Center is home to some of the region’s most
highly skilled physicians with specialized training in
orthopedics, neurosurgery, physical medicine and
rehabilitation, sports medicine, and occupational med-
icine. Our dedicated doctors and staff work together
to offer the care you need for the best possible out-
come. To learn more or make an appointment, go to
www.thecenteroregon.com.
LOW-COST DOG & CAT
Vaccination &
Microchip Clinic
Saturday, October 21
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Questions?
Call 541-699-9149
Hosted by Sisters Feed
& Supply and Sunshine
Vet Services
Se v ces
es
Th e path to better health
starts with a single step —
call today
for a complimentary
two-week trial.
541-549-6878
102 E.
E Main
M i Ave.
A
| 541-549-4151
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/AIDART
does not leave you feeling
well-rested.
Correspondent
Frequent and thorough
Most of us want to keep handwashing is still the best
the number of days we are way of preventing the spread
dealing with a cold or the flu of colds and flu. Regular soap
to a minimum. There are ways and water is as effective as
to support the immune system antibacterial washes, which
naturally to prepare for the can contribute to antibacterial
upcoming winter months and resistance.
Some nutrients are best
to care for ourselves if we
used preventatively. A defi-
should fall ill.
The simple foundations of ciency of Vitamin D is asso-
health cannot be ignored when ciated with a greater risk of
trying to stay healthy through catching colds or flu. It is
the winter. Diet and sleep are worth it to get your serum
two vital influences on the levels of Vitamin D checked
immune system. You can’t for many health reasons, and
supplement your way out of a this adds to the motivation.
poor diet. Incorporating foods Supplementing with probiot-
with lots of color in one’s ics has been shown in some
everyday diet ensures that the studies to be associated with
immune system gets regular a decreased risk of coming
influxes of supportive vita- down with a cold or gastroin-
mins like A and C. Sugar and testinal infection.
If you are exposed to many
alcohol have a negative influ-
ence on the immune system, viruses or get sick often, con-
so limit their consumption for sider an herb like astragalus
which can be taken through
optimal immune health.
Even short-term sleep the season to support the
deprivation can leave us immune system. It is mild in
more susceptible to getting taste and the dried herb can
ill. Immune functions most be added to winter soups for
affected by lack of sleep immune enhancing effects.
Once you get sick the best
include those that fight viral
infections. Aim for at least way to care for yourself is to
seven hours; more if that get enough rest. If a cough
By Dr. Kim Hapke
www.sistersathleticclub.com
