Flu

West Nile Virus – What You Need to Know

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Mosquito Sucking BloodUnfortunately, West Nile Virus is a concern in Ontario, and, as such, you should be aware of what you are up against.

Background Information

West Nile Virus is transmitted by Mosquitos. Not all mosquitos carry West Nile Virus, but they are the vector by which this condition is transmitted to humans. As a result, the Public Health Agency keeps weekly reports on how many cases of human disease exist for the week during the current summer. As of July 11, 2015, there have been no reported diseases in humans in Ontario for the summer. I would hope that this information would bring some relief to most.

Signs and Symptoms

Majority of people infected by West Nile Virus, 80%, do not develop any symptoms. The problem arises in the other 20% of people who do have some symptoms. These symptoms tend to be quite mild and mimic that of influenza. The symptoms include headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. However, the individual normally recovers completely, but may experience fatigue and weakness for weeks or months after. Unfortunately, some individuals, under 1%, are not so fortunate and may develop more serious symptoms, which include inflammation of the brain. This inflammation in the brain (also known as meningitis or encephalitis) can cause tremors, seizures, paralysis, and disorientation. Most of the individuals who are impacted by the more serious complications will recover within weeks to months. However, 10% of those impacted with serious symptoms (the under 1% who contract West Nile Virus), may die from the complications. Individuals who are more susceptible to these more serious consequences include those over 60 years old; and persons with cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and organ transplants. Many of these conditions are conditions where one’s immune system are compromised.

What can you do to minimize risk?

In order to minimize risk, it is important to first diminish risk. In order to decrease the risk of being bit by a mosquito carrying West Nile Virus, one should use mosquito repellent (whatever form that may take) and keep covered in light coloured clothing. In addition, in order to diminish risk, it is important to improve the immune system health and maintain good health overall. In addition, if there are any stagnant pools of water on your property, it would be beneficial to empty them. For more information on how to boost your immune system to prevent illness, please consult your Naturopathic Doctor for more information.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Elisha Cook via the contact portion of this website.

Source: CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Public Health Ontario

Fighting the Cold

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Flu Fever. Sick Girl Sneezing In Tissue. HealthIt’s that time of year again. Time for increased Kleenex use, coughs, and colds. Though the common cold is minor in the grand scheme of conditions one can be affected by, it can be uncomfortable and frankly unwelcome. Here are some ideas on how you can arm your body to effectively fight the cold:

Wet Socks

“Wet socks” sound strange, but are a great way to help the body fight off the cold and to alleviate some of the symptoms of the cold. “Wet Socks” involve putting on a pair of socks that are run under cold water (and rung out), followed by putting on a pair of wool socks over top. It causes one’s circulation and lymphatics to get shocked into action, thus causing good nutrients to flow to the organs that need it, and eventually causing toxins to be released and disposed of. By morning, your socks will be dry, hence why some like to call “wet socks”, “magic socks” (which is a great way to convince children to try it). For instructions and rationale behind “wet socks” refer to my handouts page.

Castor Oil Rubs

Castor oil rubs are a great way to bring comfort to someone experiencing a cold, and bring down any inflammation. Castor oil can be applied to the chest, neck, and face, and heat can be applied by a hot water bottle to the chest over top to help bring some comfort during the cold.

Honey

Honey is a great addition to those warm teas that we tend to gravitate towards during colds. Honey has many properties in it that help fight infections and relieve coughing. You might be saying to yourself, I thought I was supposed to stay away from sugar during a cold? This is true, but honey’s cold fighting properties outweigh the negative impact that sugar tends to have on a cold. One concern that should be noted for parents is that honey should not be used in children under the age of 1.

Steam inhalation

Steam inhalations are a great way to relieve congestion, and can be a way to get beneficial nutrients and substances into the body in order to help with fighting off the cold. Steam inhalation can be as simple as having a warm shower. The heat from either a steam inhalation or a warm shower causes an opening of the airways, allowing ease in breathing. In addition, bacteria fighting herbs can be added to steam inhalations for added infection fighting capabilities! For instructions, rationale, and cautions on steam inhalation refer to my handouts page of my website.

Eat More Warming Foods and Spices

Not only do warming foods like soups and broths act as comfort food during a cold, but they are also helpful. Warming foods and spices can have the effect of keeping us comfortable, opening airways, and heating our bodies up so we can fight the cold.

Rest     

Rest is one of the most important things we can do for our body. In order to heal, our bodies need rest, so energy can be focus its efforts on fighting off the cold. Some might even go on to argue that we have gotten sick because our body is telling us that we need rest and is thus forcing us to do so.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC today and let me help you achieve your health goals.