With the colder months already here, colds and flu are becoming prevalent. While cold and flu are common ailments and affect people of all ages, they can severely affect those with weak immunity.
Who Is At High Risk of Catching a Cold and Flu?
People at higher risk of catching a cold and flu include children, pregnant women and elderly. Among them, the symptoms of cold and flu, i.e., fatigue, fever, body aches, watery eyes, runny nose, headaches, cough, sneezing, and sore throat, can be more severe and last longer. But even healthy people can suffer from severe cold and flu symptoms. Common ailments can also lead to serious infections like asthma, wheezing, sinusitis, bronchitis, ear infection, and pneumonia. Elderly are statistically at the most risk for pneumonia and severe complications.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 20% of the US population suffers from the flu yearly. Cold and flu also result in over 31 million doctor visits and several million hospitalizations.
Hence, it is essential to take measures against cold and flu as soon as one experiences the early signs.
How to Treat Cold and Flu Early?
Despite the potential severity of cold and flu, doctors only advise resting, hydrating and over the counter drugs for symptom relief. Symptomatic relief is great, but if your immune system is compromised or you are unable to rest this generally only extends the life of the cold or flu. It also prevents the body’s natural immune system from fighting against the viruses, further weakening it. A better way to treat colds and flu onset is to strengthen immunity through natural and traditional medicines, like Chinese medicine and acupuncture. By using herbal remedies and supplements that boost immunity and simultaneously relieve symptoms your system has a good chance of a full and speedy recovery.
Chinese Medicine for Cold and Flu
Chinese medicine for cold and flu is the most effective early on, as soon as symptoms are present. It is based on the basic principle of life-giving energy, i.e., Chi or Qi. This energy represents strong immunity and is strengthened through sleeping well, managing stress, exercising, and eating well.
Specific herbal recommendations will be made according to your specific set of symptoms and based on your history of illness and recovery. TCM also encourages consuming warm cooked foods, broths, stocks and specific fruits and vegetables to aid in your recovery.
Acupuncture for Cold and Flu
Acupuncture is another traditional medical treatment that helps the body fight various illnesses. During a treatment with acupuncture for cold and flu, any blockages in the body are opened to enhance the blood flow, energy flow and strengthen QI to help fight off the virus or flu. . Points to help with sleep and stress reduction are also used.
Acupuncture for colds and flu and herbal medicine for colds and flu assist the body’s natural defense system in fighting against foreign bodies. Both methods allow the body to overcome the early symptoms and develop improved immunity to avoid any occurrence of a new cold or flu in the future.
To benefit from Chinese medicine for colds and flu in the East Bay Area or Oakland, contact Jenny Crissman MS, L. Ac. She will provide acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine formulas to help fight and prevent colds and flu. A full intake and assessment of individuals overall health and medical history will be taken to allow for enhanced effectiveness. These treatments are also designed with a patients’ allergies and current medications in mind.