Flu disorders

DISORDERS

(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,

causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)

Disorder: FLU (INFLUENZA)

Description: Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.

Symptoms: Symptoms of influenza begin much like those of the common cold – headache, dry throat, cough, fatigue, and body aches. In many cases, a fever develops. Nausea and vomiting may also occur.

Incidence: In any given year, approximately 40% of the U.S. population will develop the flu. Among people sixty-five or older, serious respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza are the fifth leading cause of death, so the flu is clearly a serious infection for older people.

Causes: There are over 200 viruses that can cause the colds and flu.

Treatments: Maintaining a healthy immune system is generally considered to be the key to avoiding the flu and colds. When your immune system weakens from factors such as stress and/or a poor diet, you can become more susceptible to flu viruses. Early treatment including proper diet and nutritional supplements, extra rest, plus drinking large amounts of herbal teas, vegetables juices, soups and broths are recommended treatments.

Nutrients:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Echinacea and goldenseal		See under Herbs below.
Vitamin A plus Natural beta-carotene	15,000 IU daily. If you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily. 15,000 IU daily.	Helps heal inflamed mucous membranes and strengthens the immune system.
Vitamin C	5,000-20,000 mg. daily, in divided doses.	Fights cold viruses.
Zinc lozenges	One 15 mg. lozenge every 3 waking hours for 3 days, then 1 lozenge every 4 hours for 1 week. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg. daily from all supplements.	Boosts the immune system. Keep these on hand and use them at the first sign of a cold.
Garlic	2 capsules 3 times daily.	A natural antibiotic and immune system enhancer.
L-Lysine	500 mg. daily, on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice.	Aids in destroying viruses and preventing cold sores in and around the mouth.
Multivitamin and mineral complex	As directed on label.	All vitamins are needed for healing.

Herbs:

	At the first sign of the flu, use an alcohol-free echinacea and goldenseal combination extract to boost your immune system and keep the virus from multiplying. For adults, place a dropperful in the mouth every three hours for three days. Hold the drops in your mouth for five minutes before swallowing. For children, place 8 to 10 drops in the mouth every two hours for three days. Then take 8 to 10 drops in liquid daily until symptoms are gone. Caution: Do not take goldenseal on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, and do not use it during pregnancy. If you have a history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or glaucoma, use it only under a doctor’s supervision.
	Make an herbal tea by pouring a cup of hot water onto a few tablespoons of fresh, shredded ginger. Ginger helps reduce pain and fever, suppresses cough, has antiviral compounds, and a mild sedative effect that encourages rest.
	Eucalyptus oil is helpful for relieving congestion. Put 5 drops in a hot bath, or put 6 drops in a cup of boiling water and inhale the steam.
	Cayenne (capsicum) helps to keep mucus flowing, aiding in preventing congestion. Add a bit of cayenne powder to soups and other foods.
	For cough and sore throat, mix 1 tablespoon of slippery elm bark powder with a cup of boiling water and l/2 cup of honey.

Recommendations:

	Consume plenty of fluids, especially fresh juices, herbal teas, soups, broth and quality water. Grandmother’s chicken or turkey soup is still a good remedy. Add a bit of cayenne pepper to help break up congestion.
	Sleep and rest as much as possible.
	Avoid alcohol and sugar.
	Do not give aspirin to a child who has the flu. The combination of aspirin and a viral illness has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a potentially dangerous complication.
	Try not to spread the flu to your family and others. Refrain from all close contact. Even shaking hands can spread the virus. Wash your hands frequently, and flush tissues after using them.
	If you consume alcoholic beverages or if you have liver or kidney disease, be cautious about using the painkiller acetaminophen (Tylenol). The combination of alcohol and acetaminophen has been associated with serious liver problems.
	Influenza can cause serious complications for people over sixty-five. See your health care provider.

Considerations:

	Researchers have linked vulnerability to colds and flu to psychological stress.
	Penicillin and most other antibiotics work only against bacterial infections such as strep throat. They are ineffective for treating the flu or colds. Viruses and bacteria may produce similar symptoms, but they are very different kinds of microbes and do not respond to the same treatment.
	Side effects of flu shots may be worse than the flu would be. Enhancement of immune function is preferable and safer than flu shots.
	Children who have the flu frequently should be checked for thyroid malfunctions.
	Consult your physician if congestion develops in your chest, if you have a fever that lasts for more than three days, if the lymph nodes under the jaw and in the neck become enlarged, and/or if chills and shortness of breath occur.

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Product No	Description	Comments	Cost
996-15	Echinacea root/goldenseal root	As directed on label.	$9.95/60
925-15	Beta Carotene 25,000 IU softgels	As directed on label.	$5.95/100
970-12	Vitamin C 1000 mg. with rose hips tablets	1 tablet 3 times daily	$5.75/60
978-15	Garlic 400 mg. odor free tablets	2 tablets 3 times daily	$5.50/100
912-15	L-lysine HCl 500 mg. tabs.	1 tablet daily	$3.95/100
982-15	One a Day Maximum Tabs.	As directed on label.	$6.95/100

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition

By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of

Prevention Magazine Health Books

Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide

Compiled by The Burton Goldberg Group