Well, there sure are a lot of changes these days. The very real worldwide threat to our health and livelihoods by this coronavirus has mobilized people and businesses to take extra, and often extreme, precautions to slow and hopefully prevent its' spread.
Helpful, up-to-date information on Coronavirus-19 along with excellent guidelines on how to stay healthy and prevent the spread of this virus can easily be found on www.cdc.gov website.
How do we see this virus from an East-Asian Medicine standpoint? Pretty similar to Allopathic/Western medicine but with a few interesting theories that may help to see why certain preventative or treatment measures help.
Viruses are external pathogens. They typically enter the body via the respiratory or GI/gastro-intestinal passages:
the nose & mouth.
A strong, healthy immune system combats viruses at this entry level to prevent penetration deeper into the Lungs (and Stomach). The LUNGS are the big issue with this virus:
Covid-19 virus loves the lungs!
Covid-19 spreads via contact with Droplets (produced from coughs, sneezes, saliva), so simply talking close to another can transfer droplets. Touching one's face and mouth and then a doorknob, an elevator button, or produce in a grocery store can spread the virus.
On average humans touch their faces and mouths an average of 16-20 times per hour!
How convenient for the Covid-19 virus!
WIND and COLD are also external pathogens that can rapidly enter the body via the skin, respiratory and GI tracts. In excess WIND and COLD can overpower and weaken the immune system of a person. They are also said to piggyback other pathogens (such as the COVID-19 virus) in with them. Spring is the time of year when WIND is predominant and there may still be quite a chill in the air.
In the Lungs the virus produces a lot of sticky PHLEGM and mucous. PHLEGM can be very difficult for some people to cough out and clear in order to restore easy breathing. This is an immune system skill that most of us take for granted.
A person is more likely to succumb to this virus if their immune system is already weakened or immature.
This group may include:
infants
elderly
persons with Diabetes and/or Heart Disease
persons who are immobile/bedridden or with significant muscle weakness.
possibly persons taking immune-suppressing medications for conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, HIV,
Organ Transplant Recipients
persons with Lung conditions: Asthma, COPD, Emphysema, Cystic Fibrosis...to name only a few.
Why is this virus so scary?
>It appears to be brand new to humans, so we don't have antibodies to fight against it. There is no herd immunity.
>There are no vaccinations against it.
>It's a virus, antibiotics don't fight it (but can help the bacterial infections that often result from it, such as pneumonia).
>People who have no idea they are infected AND contagious (because they feel pretty healthy) are unknowingly spreading the virus to other people and eventually to people who may be extremely vulnerable to becoming ill by it.
>The incubation period of a virus is the time in which an infected person has no symptoms but may still be infectious to others.
So what to do?
In addition to the CDC Guidelines:
THE BASICS
1. Protect against COLD and WIND: cover up, stay warm, avoid getting chilled--especially the back, head and neck areas.
Cinnamon, Ginger, Cardamom, Cloves, Fennel are all nice internally-warming spices, great in teas or porridge!
2. Don't touch your face! (when you are out and about)
Wear a mask to help you remember.
3. Cover your coughs and sneezes effectively--all of them!
(But not with your hands! ---Use a tissue, bandana or handkerchief, then DISCARD THE TISSUE appropriately followed by washing your hands for 20-seconds using warm, soapy water.
In fact, WASH YOUR HANDS with soapy water for 10-seconds OFTEN! Carry Hand Sanitizer with you for easy use when out in public.
4. Prioritize a GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.
This is vital for an healthy immune system:
7-9 hours per night.
For many, exposure to Blue Light from Smartphone, TV and computer screens messes up our sleep cycle by preventing Melatonin secretion at bedtime. Avoid screen use for at least 2 hours before bedtime, sometimes longer.
5. Avoid foods that promote PHLEGM and mucous: Dairy, alcohol, sugar/sweets.
6. Avoid foods that weaken the immune system: alcohol, sugar, excessive carbohydrates.
7. Stay well-HYDRATED
Hydration is vital to thin and liquefy PHLEGM/mucous making it easier to expectorate (cough and clear) it.
Keep a stock of fresh Lemon and Ginger for making warm teas, also Hibiscus, Pomegranate, Blueberries and other high anti-oxidant foods.
The last three are just as critical.
8. Prevent FEAR-BASED hysteria and paranoia: stay informed by legitimate, reputable sources.
9. CHECK-IN regularly with loved ones and neighbors
via phones, Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp, whatever!
Make sure everyone---- and their beloved pets! have the basic essentials needed to carry on daily living.
This fear, paranoia, and Social Distancing trend can have disastrous effects on some who are already isolated.
10. USE COMMON SENSE!!! None of us are invincible.
We are in this together.
Protect EACH OTHER, not just yourself.
Helpful, up-to-date information on Coronavirus-19 along with excellent guidelines on how to stay healthy and prevent the spread of this virus can easily be found on www.cdc.gov website.
How do we see this virus from an East-Asian Medicine standpoint? Pretty similar to Allopathic/Western medicine but with a few interesting theories that may help to see why certain preventative or treatment measures help.
Viruses are external pathogens. They typically enter the body via the respiratory or GI/gastro-intestinal passages:
the nose & mouth.
A strong, healthy immune system combats viruses at this entry level to prevent penetration deeper into the Lungs (and Stomach). The LUNGS are the big issue with this virus:
Covid-19 virus loves the lungs!
Covid-19 spreads via contact with Droplets (produced from coughs, sneezes, saliva), so simply talking close to another can transfer droplets. Touching one's face and mouth and then a doorknob, an elevator button, or produce in a grocery store can spread the virus.
On average humans touch their faces and mouths an average of 16-20 times per hour!
How convenient for the Covid-19 virus!
WIND and COLD are also external pathogens that can rapidly enter the body via the skin, respiratory and GI tracts. In excess WIND and COLD can overpower and weaken the immune system of a person. They are also said to piggyback other pathogens (such as the COVID-19 virus) in with them. Spring is the time of year when WIND is predominant and there may still be quite a chill in the air.
In the Lungs the virus produces a lot of sticky PHLEGM and mucous. PHLEGM can be very difficult for some people to cough out and clear in order to restore easy breathing. This is an immune system skill that most of us take for granted.
A person is more likely to succumb to this virus if their immune system is already weakened or immature.
This group may include:
infants
elderly
persons with Diabetes and/or Heart Disease
persons who are immobile/bedridden or with significant muscle weakness.
possibly persons taking immune-suppressing medications for conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, HIV,
Organ Transplant Recipients
persons with Lung conditions: Asthma, COPD, Emphysema, Cystic Fibrosis...to name only a few.
Why is this virus so scary?
>It appears to be brand new to humans, so we don't have antibodies to fight against it. There is no herd immunity.
>There are no vaccinations against it.
>It's a virus, antibiotics don't fight it (but can help the bacterial infections that often result from it, such as pneumonia).
>People who have no idea they are infected AND contagious (because they feel pretty healthy) are unknowingly spreading the virus to other people and eventually to people who may be extremely vulnerable to becoming ill by it.
>The incubation period of a virus is the time in which an infected person has no symptoms but may still be infectious to others.
So what to do?
In addition to the CDC Guidelines:
THE BASICS
1. Protect against COLD and WIND: cover up, stay warm, avoid getting chilled--especially the back, head and neck areas.
Cinnamon, Ginger, Cardamom, Cloves, Fennel are all nice internally-warming spices, great in teas or porridge!
2. Don't touch your face! (when you are out and about)
Wear a mask to help you remember.
3. Cover your coughs and sneezes effectively--all of them!
(But not with your hands! ---Use a tissue, bandana or handkerchief, then DISCARD THE TISSUE appropriately followed by washing your hands for 20-seconds using warm, soapy water.
In fact, WASH YOUR HANDS with soapy water for 10-seconds OFTEN! Carry Hand Sanitizer with you for easy use when out in public.
4. Prioritize a GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.
This is vital for an healthy immune system:
7-9 hours per night.
For many, exposure to Blue Light from Smartphone, TV and computer screens messes up our sleep cycle by preventing Melatonin secretion at bedtime. Avoid screen use for at least 2 hours before bedtime, sometimes longer.
5. Avoid foods that promote PHLEGM and mucous: Dairy, alcohol, sugar/sweets.
6. Avoid foods that weaken the immune system: alcohol, sugar, excessive carbohydrates.
7. Stay well-HYDRATED
Hydration is vital to thin and liquefy PHLEGM/mucous making it easier to expectorate (cough and clear) it.
Keep a stock of fresh Lemon and Ginger for making warm teas, also Hibiscus, Pomegranate, Blueberries and other high anti-oxidant foods.
The last three are just as critical.
8. Prevent FEAR-BASED hysteria and paranoia: stay informed by legitimate, reputable sources.
9. CHECK-IN regularly with loved ones and neighbors
via phones, Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp, whatever!
Make sure everyone---- and their beloved pets! have the basic essentials needed to carry on daily living.
This fear, paranoia, and Social Distancing trend can have disastrous effects on some who are already isolated.
10. USE COMMON SENSE!!! None of us are invincible.
We are in this together.
Protect EACH OTHER, not just yourself.
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