Any suggestions on ways to boost one's immune system? It's only March 2, and already I am dealing with my third cold of 2015. I am also currently treating an infection in my right eye of "idiopathic origin" (fancy way of saying the eye doctor has no idea why my eye got infected; I haven't even worn contact lenses in over a month because I ran out of them).
I have had at least 8 or 9 viral infections (I've lost count) in the 7+ months since the boys started day care in late July, and I'm sick of it (no pun intended). I simply don't have time for being sick this often! I have difficulty enough keeping up with my daily life when I'm well.
I already do the obvious disinfecting, handwashing, etc., stuff--I was a nurse for seven years, after all, I do know basic infection control--so I figure that if I am getting sick so much more often, the problem must lie within me and not within my environment.
The Harvard Medical School website suggests regular exercise and eating more fruits and vegetables as two things I should do to boost my immunity, but let's be realistic: if I had time and energy to integrate those things into my life, I would be doing them already for other reasons, and I'd also be a lot thinner than I am. :-)
I have been in the same boat. Have you ever gotten well, or is it the same illness coming back over and over again?
ReplyDeleteWhat helped me were:
1) Finding the right doctor. I had chronic sinus infections, and I finally found the one who prescribed the right medication (I mix my own nasal rinses with saline, antibiotic, steroid, and anti fungal)
2) Eating at least a pound of vegetables day (raw & cooked)
3) Exercising at least 15 minutes a day
4) Wearing earplugs when I sleep (and getting 7 hours/night)
5) I just started drinking raw, green vegetable juice & kombucha & taking a multivitamin. I don't know if that will make a difference or not.
6) Cutting way down on animal/fish protein (maybe 1 serving per day)
7) Eliminating dairy from my diet
8) Taking vitamin D (or going outside for 15 minutes a day)
I did #2-8 with better results, but #1 took me to the next level.
I hope you feel better soon.
Thanks for the tips! I don't go to the doctor for any of these illnesses, since there is nothing they can do for viruses. Apart from the eye infection, I don't think a single illness I've had would have required a doctor's visit or prescription to treat.
DeleteSome of these things I already do, and others probably wouldn't work for me. For instance, I love cheese, so #7 is probably out for me, and I think kombucha is disgusting, LOL. I already sleep 8 hours a night and take 5,000 IU of vitamin D a day after being diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency a couple of years ago.
I can't see myself eating a pound of vegetables a day. (I mean, if I haven't managed it for other health reasons, I can't see that I'll be able to do it for this.) I did just start last week taking probiotics and drinking a "green drink" that says "each serving surpasses the raw food nutrition of more than 10+ servings of organic fruits and vegetables," so we'll see if those make a difference.
Even 15 minutes of a day of exercise is hard for me, too. . . especially when I am constantly sick and exhausted.
Honestly, I don't use sanitizer and all. I'm with the eat dirt cause it makes me stronger group. I wash hands with regular soap. I seem to catch whatever gross thing the boys get (and me too with the weird eye infection! So bizarre). But I am just hoping it all builds up my immune system for when I'm an old lady! :). P.s. Following the advice my 94 year old grandma gave to me.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed a HUGE difference by taking a zinc supplement every day.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big believer in a good multi-strain probiotic.
ReplyDeleteOther than that - you're doing all you can.
1) Wear a face mask. 2) Wear a t-shirt that says you have a contagious disease. 3) If anyone ask what is wrong with you tell them you are allergic to human kind...all of them make you sick. If that fails...well then your sense of humor has died.
ReplyDeleteBut in all honesty I take zinc, extra vitamin C, use hand sanitizer, get my flu shot and I do wear a face mask when there are out breaks in my area even if it does look goofy (hey it does work and I don't get sick).
Sorry to read that you're continually sick at the moment. I think for some people the first year their kid(s) is in daycare can be the toughest. There are so many new bugs and viruses to come into contact with and not all bodies can handle it. I know some families who kid (and sometimes parents) were sick every other week the first year and others who didn't catch a thing.
ReplyDeleteHoping you get better soon!
I would make sure that you are taking a good multi-vitamin. How are your vitamin B and D levels?
ReplyDeleteOr go with Rebecca's suggestions ;)
Ha -- I wish I knew. That was me last year -- I was sick all the time. I couldn't catch a break. So no good advice, but commiseration.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I think the only answer is not to have 2 year olds. This year my younger turned 3 and I'm sick less. Coincidence? I'm also doing the exercise, LOTS of hydration, plenty of veggies, handwashing (and constantly harping on kids to handwash), vitamin D, sleep (when possible), therapy to reduce stress.
ReplyDeleteHmm. Well, my sons turned 3 in January, so that hasn't been the solution for me. ;-)
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