Boosting Immunity: Preventing Colds and Flu

Colds and flu are the basic reaction of the body’s immune system when it is threatened. The misconception that taking antibiotics can help relieve the common cold is wrong. Colds and flu occur because of a viral infection, and killing the bacterial flora in the gut is not only advisable but could also pose a risk for additional immune system damage.

Understand that the common cold and flu is the body’s natural reaction when fighting off a viral infection, and is critical in properly treating the sickness. Employing the best cold and flu medicine for the sickness’ relief should not be the immediate action. The significance of a proper nutrition, sound sleep and rest, and the proper antioxidants intake when having colds and flu should be instilled by parents to their children in the early days of their childhood.

When fighting off colds and flu, a few pointers should be considered. Allowing the body to take time to prepare for the war will only make the immune system stronger, and when it is stronger the chances of getting the same disease again is unlikely.

Take the time out.

Keeping in mind that the body needs quite a time to fight off and recover the attack on the immune system is a critical factor to look at. Taking medications over-the-counter not only hampers the body’s natural way to healing, but it further encourages the immune system not to be proactive about the sickness.

Increase the intake of powerful antioxidants.

The intake of powerful antioxidants during a cold and flu episode will help strengthen the immune system. Since the appetite is lost when suffering from the disease, taking herbs for flu such as Amazon C-F Cold and Flu capsules is recommendable. Increase the dosage to a double when feeling really weak and nauseous.

Make sure that the antioxidant you take can be readily assimilated fast in the body.

Drink lots of water.

While the inner body is fighting off the virus that causes colds and flu, the person feel weakness as its outer effect. This is why we are kept on our beds when we have flu. Drinking a lot of water will provide the body with the hydration that it needs on the time it is warding off those viruses. Drink at least twice as much as the everyday intake. But be very careful in drinking; drinking too much water all at once will dilute the blood.

Herbal Connections to Lung Diseases: Understanding Tuberculosis and Its Symptoms

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of tuberculosis or TB usually involves a series of tests.  An X-ray of your lungs is a simple way to determine whether the disease is active. Whether or not your TB is active, you should be regularly monitored by your doctor. Treatment for TB will depend on whether it is active or latent.

If you have an active onset of tuberculosis, you may usually have these symptoms:

• Overall feeling of unwellness
• Productive cough, possibly with bloody sputum
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Low-grade fever
• Sweating at night
• Chest and back pains

Latent TB

If your blood test shows you're infected with TB but don't yet present such symptoms above, you probably have a latent TB infection. Your doctor will go over your risk factors for developing an active stage of TB, including treatment options. Isoniazid (INH) is often prescribed, which you will take daily or twice a week. This is to help prevent the dormant infection from becoming active.

However, certain risks have to be considered as the side effects of taking INH increase with age. Your doctor may recommend vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) to prevent such complications.

Active TB

 If you have active TB disease, your doctor may recommend a combination of antibiotics that may include INH, rifampin, pyrazinamide, or ethambutol, which you will take for 6 to 12 months. Because active TB disease can be fatal if untreated, regular monitoring and treatment by a doctor are crucial.

Multidrug-Resistant TB

Multidrug-resistant TB is caused by strains of mutated TB bacteria that have developed the ability to resist two or more antibiotic drugs. Half a million people around the world develop this form of TB annually with about 150,000 deaths reported.

Most cases of TB are still highly treatable if the patient follows the full course of antibiotic treatment.

Chanca Piedra and Tuberculosis

Chanca Piedra or Phyllanthus niruri (scientific name) is still widely used in herbal medicine in South America, as the most popular remedy for gallstones and kidney stones throughout the continent. In Peruvian herbal medicine, it is also used for hepatitis, urinary infections, and as a diuretic.

Perhaps you may also want to include alternative supplementations with your antibiotic drug medications for this type of disease to help boost your immune system.