Ringing in the New Year with a Flu Outbreak
According to the New York Daily News, this year’s flu outbreak is one of the worst in 10 years; CNN is reporting our flu epidemic is still on the uptick. With three more months to go, the season “is stacking up to be moderate to severe,” said Tom Skinner of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “In the past 10 years we have seen just two or three like it.”
The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu advisory report, which covers the week of December 23 to 29, suggests that 41 states have widespread influenza activity, which was an increase of 31 states from the previous week. There have so far been 2,257 hospitalizations associated with laboratory-confirmed flu virus, the CDC report said. Among children, there have been 18 deaths reported during this season. Various state agencies also are compiling statistics on flu-related deaths.
Do You Have to Rely on Drugs Alone?
With all this grim reporting on the latest flu outbreak as we embark on a new year, we should stop to think what all our options really are, and how can we have a proactive approach, instead of a reactive one.
What are some effective proactive strategies that can help keep you from being another flu statistic? At Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic (Augusta, GA) we correct vertebral subluxations to enhance the immune system. The spine is the infrastructure for every nerve in the body. Preliminary studies show that areas that are misaligned create roadblocks and impair the transmission of nerve signals to and from the brain. Because the nervous system controls all functions of the body–including the immune system–researches believe that chiropractic care can have a positive impact on immune function.
What are some other proactive strategies? Research has shown that the old wives’ tale around chicken soup is true–chicken soup is a natural antibiotic and antiviral agent. And sprinkling some cayenne pepper on that soup? That may go a long way, since the potent spice is a natural antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agent. It’s also a powerful decongestant and antioxidant.
Effects of the Flu Outbreak
Just yesterday CBS News reported the national flu epidemic getting worse by the day: On Wednesday, Boston — with a population of at least 600,000 — declared a public health emergency after the virus killed more than a dozen people. “In the last two weeks alone we’ve doubled our number,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “So, if we continue at this rate to see new cases, we’ll have an explosion of flu in the city of Boston. We really need to get ahead of it at this point in time.”
As the adage goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Call Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic today for an appointment and reap the benefits of healthy living that only preventative care can bring.
Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic is conveniently located off Furys Ferry Rd in Martinez, Georgia and provides quality chiropractic care to the Augusta, Martinez, and Evans communities. Visit our main website at www.georgia-clinic.com. To schedule an appointment, call (706) 814-5053 or use our online form to schedule online.
The Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic Blog is written by Dr. Mark Huntsman.
