TerrapinChiro
Influenza
Influenza
What Is Influenza?
Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection. There are many types of influenza viruses. Common symptoms may include fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Some forms of the flu virus infect the gastro-intestinal tract causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A flu infection may worsen any chronic illness such as emphysema, asthma, or bronchitis. It has also been known to cause complications in people with coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure. Those who smoke are at an increased risk of mortality from influenza.
Who Does Influenza Affect?
Influenza primarily affects humans; however, certain types of the flu virus can affect animals (most commonly birds and pigs).
What Causes Influenza Infection?
Anyone with a weakened immune system is more susceptible to an influenza infection. Coming into contact with the flu virus, increases your risk of developing the flu. Contact includes saliva, nasal secretions, feces and blood. Most commonly influenza is spread through coughing and sneezing.
Examination Procedures for the Diagnosis of Influenza
Although there are specific laboratory test for diagnosing influenza, diagnosis is usually based on symptoms.
Common Chiropractic & Other Conservative Treatments
Treatment for influenza is usually geared towards prevention. By keeping the immune system strong and healthy you can prevent yourself from getting the flu in the first place
Conservative Chiropractic treatment can consist of:
· Posture rehabilitation: Due to the stresses of poor posture having an overall ”ill” effect on health, maintaining good posture is key to maintaining good health.
· Joint Manipulations: Studies show that chiropractic manipulations boost the immune system
· Vitamins and Supplements: certain vitamins and supplements, such as Vitamin D, C, and E, are known to boost the immune system and may help prevent the flu. You should always check with your chiropractor before taking any vitamin, supplement, or herbal formula.
· Chinese Medicine: Chinese medicine can help with prevention and also help with symptoms, naturally. You should always check with your chiropractor before taking any vitamin, supplement, or herbal formula.
· Recommendations of: adequate rest, reduced stress levels, and increased fluid intake are all essential to maintain a healthy immune system.
Medical Interventions: Studies Fail to Demonstrate Safety or Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine in Children and Adults
Because the flu is a virus, there is no medication to cure the flu. Rest and fluids are most often prescribed by medical practioners. There are several over the counter medications that can lessen the symptoms of the flu, but because these medication have their own inherent risks, caution is advised.
The flu vaccine is used to try to prevent one from catching the flu, but because the flu virus is continually mutating and changing, doctors are guessing as to what strain is going to be present. Therefore; the flu vaccination is a “shot in the dark” with no guarantees of prevention or immunity. Due to the inherent risks of vaccinations, caution is advised with any vaccination.
In fact, recently, in an independent analysis of the available flu vaccine studies, the Cochrane Collaboration1, concluded that there is little scientific proof that the influenza vaccine is safe and/or effective for children and adults. Additionally, the National Vaccine Information Center is asking the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to stop recommending annual flu shots for all infants and children until methodologically sound studies are conducted.
The risks of the flu vaccine may in fact outweigh any possible benefits. Dozens of convulsions and other adverse events, including brain injury experienced by children after receiving the flu vaccination, have been reported. Additionally some subjects exposed to the flu vaccine developed Guillain Barre Syndrome.1-5
Even in the Elderly (the most at risk group of people), the benefits of the flu shot is “greatly exaggerated”; according to a 2007 study in the premier medical journal The Lancet.4 The researchers stated that the public policy for the elderly getting flu shots is based on flimsy, even nonexistent, evidence.
A Potentially Bigger Problem: if the above information was not enough, it has been identified that the majority of influenza vaccines distributed in the United States contain Thimerosal and that while highly controversial, this methyl mercury based preservative has been claimed to be linked to autism, Alzheimer’s, and ADD.
Chiropractic Care May Have a Positive Influence on Influenza
Historically, Chiropractic treatment for flu patients has shown clinical benefits dating back to the flu pandemic in the early 19th century. There is limited data from that era regarding publications but severely ill patients with flu symptoms would line up to receive their daily Chiropractic adjustments. In fact, many Chiropractors set up treatment areas in Churches and Orphanages to adjust the ill. Reports from that era suggest that patients receiving Chiropractic care fared better than those whom did not and than those receiving standard medical care of the times.6
By today’s standards, the above reports don’t equate to legitimate data; however, there is emerging evidence that Chiropractic type adjustments can enhance the immune system of a patient and speed recovery of the ill. For example, in Geriatric Patients with pneumonia receiving both conventional medicine and ‘osteopathic manipulation’, it was found that the spinal manipulation group had reduced antibiotic use and decreased length of hospital stay!7,8
If nothing else, take the advice of the National Vaccine Information Center:9
1. If you have the flu, stay home until you are well
2. If you know a person sick with the flu, avoid contact until they are well
3. Wash your hands frequently
4. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
5. Get adequate rest
6. Eat a wholesome diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially foods containing vitamin D (such as cod liver oil)
7. Spend a few minutes a day in sunlight to help your body make and store vitamin D.
8. Consider chiropractic adjustments, homeopathic remedies and other natural options for healing and maintaining health.
9. Exercise regularly when you are well.
10. Lower stress through meditation and other healthy lifestyle changes
References
British Medical Journal 2006; Oct. 28.
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 2006; Oct. 25.
The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) (www.nvic.org ).
Simonsen L, Taylor R, Viboud C, Miller M, Jackson L. Mortality benefits of influenza vaccination in elderly people: an ongoing controversy. Lancet Infect Dis 2007; 7:658–66 Sept 24, www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/Simonsen_etal_210415_7.pdf
Geier M, Geier D, Zahalsky A. Influenza vaccination and Guillain Barre syndrome. Clinical Immunology 107 (2003) 116–121.
Rhodes, Walter R. The official history of chiropractic in Texas. 1978;:1-4.
Noll DR. J Am Osteo Assoc 1999:99(3):143-146.
Noll DR. J Am Osteo Assoc 1998;98(7):389
Influenza
Influenza
What Is Influenza?
Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection. There are many types of influenza viruses. Common symptoms may include fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Some forms of the flu virus infect the gastro-intestinal tract causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A flu infection may worsen any chronic illness such as emphysema, asthma, or bronchitis. It has also been known to cause complications in people with coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure. Those who smoke are at an increased risk of mortality from influenza.
Who Does Influenza Affect?
Influenza primarily affects humans; however, certain types of the flu virus can affect animals (most commonly birds and pigs).
What Causes Influenza Infection?
Anyone with a weakened immune system is more susceptible to an influenza infection. Coming into contact with the flu virus, increases your risk of developing the flu. Contact includes saliva, nasal secretions, feces and blood. Most commonly influenza is spread through coughing and sneezing.
Examination Procedures for the Diagnosis of Influenza
Although there are specific laboratory test for diagnosing influenza, diagnosis is usually based on symptoms.
Common Chiropractic & Other Conservative Treatments
Treatment for influenza is usually geared towards prevention. By keeping the immune system strong and healthy you can prevent yourself from getting the flu in the first place
Conservative Chiropractic treatment can consist of:
· Posture rehabilitation: Due to the stresses of poor posture having an overall ”ill” effect on health, maintaining good posture is key to maintaining good health.
· Joint Manipulations: Studies show that chiropractic manipulations boost the immune system
· Vitamins and Supplements: certain vitamins and supplements, such as Vitamin D, C, and E, are known to boost the immune system and may help prevent the flu. You should always check with your chiropractor before taking any vitamin, supplement, or herbal formula.
· Chinese Medicine: Chinese medicine can help with prevention and also help with symptoms, naturally. You should always check with your chiropractor before taking any vitamin, supplement, or herbal formula.
· Recommendations of: adequate rest, reduced stress levels, and increased fluid intake are all essential to maintain a healthy immune system.
Medical Interventions: Studies Fail to Demonstrate Safety or Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine in Children and Adults
Because the flu is a virus, there is no medication to cure the flu. Rest and fluids are most often prescribed by medical practioners. There are several over the counter medications that can lessen the symptoms of the flu, but because these medication have their own inherent risks, caution is advised.
The flu vaccine is used to try to prevent one from catching the flu, but because the flu virus is continually mutating and changing, doctors are guessing as to what strain is going to be present. Therefore; the flu vaccination is a “shot in the dark” with no guarantees of prevention or immunity. Due to the inherent risks of vaccinations, caution is advised with any vaccination.
In fact, recently, in an independent analysis of the available flu vaccine studies, the Cochrane Collaboration1, concluded that there is little scientific proof that the influenza vaccine is safe and/or effective for children and adults. Additionally, the National Vaccine Information Center is asking the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to stop recommending annual flu shots for all infants and children until methodologically sound studies are conducted.
The risks of the flu vaccine may in fact outweigh any possible benefits. Dozens of convulsions and other adverse events, including brain injury experienced by children after receiving the flu vaccination, have been reported. Additionally some subjects exposed to the flu vaccine developed Guillain Barre Syndrome.1-5
Even in the Elderly (the most at risk group of people), the benefits of the flu shot is “greatly exaggerated”; according to a 2007 study in the premier medical journal The Lancet.4 The researchers stated that the public policy for the elderly getting flu shots is based on flimsy, even nonexistent, evidence.
A Potentially Bigger Problem: if the above information was not enough, it has been identified that the majority of influenza vaccines distributed in the United States contain Thimerosal and that while highly controversial, this methyl mercury based preservative has been claimed to be linked to autism, Alzheimer’s, and ADD.
Chiropractic Care May Have a Positive Influence on Influenza
Historically, Chiropractic treatment for flu patients has shown clinical benefits dating back to the flu pandemic in the early 19th century. There is limited data from that era regarding publications but severely ill patients with flu symptoms would line up to receive their daily Chiropractic adjustments. In fact, many Chiropractors set up treatment areas in Churches and Orphanages to adjust the ill. Reports from that era suggest that patients receiving Chiropractic care fared better than those whom did not and than those receiving standard medical care of the times.6
By today’s standards, the above reports don’t equate to legitimate data; however, there is emerging evidence that Chiropractic type adjustments can enhance the immune system of a patient and speed recovery of the ill. For example, in Geriatric Patients with pneumonia receiving both conventional medicine and ‘osteopathic manipulation’, it was found that the spinal manipulation group had reduced antibiotic use and decreased length of hospital stay!7,8
If nothing else, take the advice of the National Vaccine Information Center:9
1. If you have the flu, stay home until you are well
2. If you know a person sick with the flu, avoid contact until they are well
3. Wash your hands frequently
4. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
5. Get adequate rest
6. Eat a wholesome diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially foods containing vitamin D (such as cod liver oil)
7. Spend a few minutes a day in sunlight to help your body make and store vitamin D.
8. Consider chiropractic adjustments, homeopathic remedies and other natural options for healing and maintaining health.
9. Exercise regularly when you are well.
10. Lower stress through meditation and other healthy lifestyle changes
References
British Medical Journal 2006; Oct. 28.
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 2006; Oct. 25.
The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) (www.nvic.org ).
Simonsen L, Taylor R, Viboud C, Miller M, Jackson L. Mortality benefits of influenza vaccination in elderly people: an ongoing controversy. Lancet Infect Dis 2007; 7:658–66 Sept 24, www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/Simonsen_etal_210415_7.pdf
Geier M, Geier D, Zahalsky A. Influenza vaccination and Guillain Barre syndrome. Clinical Immunology 107 (2003) 116–121.
Rhodes, Walter R. The official history of chiropractic in Texas. 1978;:1-4.
Noll DR. J Am Osteo Assoc 1999:99(3):143-146.
Noll DR. J Am Osteo Assoc 1998;98(7):389