------------------------------------------------------------------------
It sure can't hurt to do these things to keep the germs away and the cost is minimal.
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach.. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water . *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption. **SEE BELOW**
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach.. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water . *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption. **SEE BELOW**
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
I have personally seen the results of taking zinc daily. We are taking it in our house to boost our immune systems and hopefully prevent catching the flu this winter. I take 30 mg at bedtime with my other vitamins. I only take it a couple times a week if I am feeling healthy because too much zinc can lower your immune system. If I feel something coming on, I will take it for a few days until the symptoms are gone and then go back to 2-3 times per week.
Here is what I found about how to take zinc.
I couldn't find any evidence to support the taking of Vitamin C with the zinc. Calcium and Vitamin C help each other with absorption and are usually found in the same supplement. Calcium interferes with the absorption of zinc. So if you take Vitamin C, Calcium and Zinc perhaps divide the Vitamin C in 1/2 and take some with the Calcium and some with the Zinc. One should be taken in the morning and one at night for optimum results. The website I found to be most helpful was http://www.ehow.com/how_3955_absorb-zinc-supplements.html.
The information below is from that site.
Here is what I found about how to take zinc.
I couldn't find any evidence to support the taking of Vitamin C with the zinc. Calcium and Vitamin C help each other with absorption and are usually found in the same supplement. Calcium interferes with the absorption of zinc. So if you take Vitamin C, Calcium and Zinc perhaps divide the Vitamin C in 1/2 and take some with the Calcium and some with the Zinc. One should be taken in the morning and one at night for optimum results. The website I found to be most helpful was http://www.ehow.com/how_3955_absorb-zinc-supplements.html.
The information below is from that site.
- Take a zinc supplement in the form of zinc picolinate - it is considered the best.
Take zinc separately from other minerals, especially iron, copper, manganese and calcium. They may interfere with zinc absorption.
- Check the quality of your tap water. Hard water can upset zinc levels.
- Assess the amount of grains and legumes that you eat. They contain a substance called phytate, which binds with zinc and prevents absorption.
- Speak with your doctor if you have kidney disease, chronic diarrhea, diabetes or liver disease. You may need additional zinc supplements.
- Assess how much fiber you consume. High fiber can cause zinc to be excreted from your body.
No comments:
Post a Comment