Why Are So Many People Sick?

 

The Monday after the Thanksgiving Holiday -- as I was looking at my half empty schedule for the clinic patients who had cancelled due to colds and flu, I asked the question, "Why are so many people sick right now?  They were fine 2 weeks ago--what has changed??" And then, that "thought bubble" above my head replied, "Think of this..."  And, these are the thoughts that proceeded to be downloaded in rapid succession into my words.

"How much have our food choices, habits and locales changed in the last 10 days?" (Thanksgiving Holiday) special and favorite foods, yummy "sweet treats", time with family and friends--often traveling, sharing close quarters with lots of hugs and kisses, strange beds, convenience store bathrooms when on the road, lack of rest--and throw in some extreme weather changes and Voila'--a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and viruses!!!  At exactly the time when we should be ramping up our immune systems with EXTRA Tender Loving Care--we have abandoned those efforts in favor of our immediate gratification society of pleasure and comfort and self-medicating with food and drink and fun. Sugar and all of the sweetness that we believe it brings to our lives--those "comfort" foods we share with family and loved ones are leading us down the path to illness and dis-ease.  And don't forget that fact, that with the colder weather, many of us have forgotten to drink an adequate amount of water; i.e. a quart for every 50 pounds of body weight.  Much easier in the Summer--something we have to "plan" in the Winter months.

We will, in the next few days, be looking at some of the things that can be done to help your immune system shift into "high gear" for the remainder of the Winter and the proverbial "cold and flu" season. Come and visit us again and...go get a glass of water and "pass" on those servings of candy, pie, or cookies!  Your immune system will thank you!!!!!