Unbelievably crazy times we are living in. This pandemic has turned everybody’s lives upside down. Grocery stores look like its been invaded by mask wearing zombies. Even worse, nobody really knows what’s going on. Nobody really understands the disease completely . Just when we think we understand COVID-19, it throws us a curveball.We are literally drowning in all the “expert “ opinions. Who are the real experts?Hopes of effective treatments gets us excited one moment, just to disappoint the next.
There are certain things that we do know about this novel strain of corona virus that can help us take adequate precautions.
Transmission
The most common way of transmission is via droplets if an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks. It can also be transmitted if you touch a surface that has the virus on it, then touch your nose, mouth or eyes.
This the reason for social distancing, wearing of a mask, regularly sanitizing your hands and not touching your face.
Effect on our body
The virus causes flu symptoms.
It elicits an immune response , the body’s way to try and get rid of the virus.
It’s not the virus itself that makes some people severely ill, its their own immune system that fires out of sync.
This causes severe inflammation, which lead to all the corresponding problems, most commonly : breathing, heart and blood clotting problems. The experts call this a “cytokines storm”.
Excessive inflammation in our body, is root of all evil, responsible for many common chronic illnesses.
It therefore makes sense that people with depressed or dysfunctional immunity ,are at increased risks of severe disease.
Common causes of depressed/dysfunctional immunity
– Chronic illness eg. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
– People with existing lung problems like eg. Asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)
– Obesity
– Certain chronic medications like steroids
– HIV and TB (especially those not on adequate treatment)
– Autoimmune disease and associated treatment
– Chronic stress
It makes sense that if we do what we can to optimize our immune system and reduce inflammation, we should be able to fight the infection in a more coordinated way, if we do happen to catch it.
High risk individuals with above conditions, should take extra precautions. Discuss this with your GP or Specialist.
For the rest of us, this is the time to start taking better care of ourselves.
Not just to combat the virus, but to improve our over all long term health
Ways to help our immune system along
Do:
– Get adequate sleep.
– Exercise, but don’t over do it
– Fast intermittently (10-16 hrs max)
– Pay attention to what your eat.
– Avoid/limit inflammation causing food eg . Refined carbs and sugars
– Optimize your gut health
– Find better ways to manage stress
– Meditate
– Use supplements eg Vit C, D, A, B12, Zinc, Magnesium
Don’t :
Smoke…the reasons are health related
Panick….This too shall pass
Keep safe
Dr A Douglas
