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Upper Respiratory Infections

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Below are a few important facts on lung diseases overall taken directly from the American Lung Association as of 2008:

• Every year, almost 400,000 Americans die from lung disease.
• Lung disease is the number three killer (behind heart disease and cancer) in the United States, responsible for one in six deaths.
• The lung disease death rate has been continuously increasing, while death rates due to other leading causes of death, such as heart disease, cancer and stroke, have been declining.

• Overall, various forms of lung disease and breathing problems constitute one of the leading causes of death in babies under the age of 1, accounting for 20.2 percent of infant deaths in 2004.
• More than 35 million Americans have chronic lung diseases.
• An estimated 438,000 Americans die each year from diseases directly related to cigarette smoking, including heart and lung diseases.
• Millions of children and adults with lung disease in this country are exposed to levels of ozone and particle air pollution that could potentially make them sick.
• Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema and chronic bronchitis), the most common obstructive lung diseases, are associated with substantial health impairment and work disability.
• Lung disease costs the U.S. economy $95 billion in direct health care expenditures every year, plus indirect costs of $59 billion — a total of $154 billion.

In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) states that the pneumonia vaccine does not reduce the incidence of clinical pneumonia, (Madhi et al). It makes sense that it wouldn’t, as evidenced by the fact that many organisms contribute to pneumonia other than pneumococci, like other bacteria, viruses and sometimes parasites.

Most of our immune protection parallels our digestive tract and our lungs (the two organs that interact with the outside world) in addition to the skin (which is why it is so important to use skin care products that contain the least amount of toxins; visit www.skindeep.com).

Since our immune system was designed to protect us from outside influences, the greatest antibody load would naturally parallel these organ systems. Anything that weakens our immune system will predispose us to infections of any kind. Environmental pollution specifically puts our immune system on alert, increases inflammation and decreases air exchange ability. Inflammation blocks but doesn’t heal. As we live in a valley, our air inversion traps pollutants even more than non-valley areas.

There are two contaminants that we can minimize, one being radon and the other mold. You can purchase kits to test the levels within your home at a hardware store for under $15 each. To test radon, you’ll have to send the kit out with an additional fee that is well worth it, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that one in 15 homes have excessive radon levels. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. If your tests come back positive, find someone in your area to come in to assist with fixing the problem. You can find qualified environmental contractors at http://www.inspectorseek.com.

I also suggest supporting your internal health by focusing on whole foods, assuring optimal bowel elimination (one to three times daily), stay hydrated, rest and sleep well and get moderate, regular exercise.

If you desire a naturopathic approach to enhancing your immune system, consider an immune boosting injection consisting of B12, Vitamin C and glutathione. Together, these nutrients boost your productions of white blood cells that is your armor when it comes to exposures to organisms that cause colds, flus, pneumonias and bronchitis.

At home, take advantage of nurturing yourself with immune globulins (Immune Boosting Capsules or Powder), Immunoplus (a blend of herbs that tonify your adrenals, liver and immune system), along with acidophillus.

If you’d like an individualized plan to enhance your immune system, feel free to contact our office for a half-hour visit. Be sure to mention that your visit is specifically for an immune boosting evaluation to get the special price of $150 for the half hour. You will receive a Bioimpedence Analysis, which details the current health of your cells. In addition, you will receive an intake, brief physical exam and detailed instructions to boost your immunity for cold and flu season!

Recipe for the at-home cough syrup:

Cut one whole onion into eigths.
Separate the pieces and place in a glass bowl.
Cover liberally in raw, organic honey, harvested locally.
Let sit for at least 24 hours at room temperature, stirring one to two times daily.
The honey will become very liquidy.
Once done, take out all onion pieces and discard.
Mix in the juice of one lemon.
Store in glass container (mason jar) in your refrigerator.
Take one tsp daily for prevention, or up to six times daily for upper respiratory infections.

Link to blog: http://www.drramsey.com/articles/upper-respiratory-infections/

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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