Is Your Immune System?
Part 1
February 2013
Hello Everybody Dr. Norris Here.
You may have heard about the drug resistant bacteria which is invading America. There are some bacteria which cannot be treated. They can cause severe symptoms and sometimes death. Physicians are also reluctant to treat some viral infections because they are usually resistant to medications. This seems like science fiction, but it is real! So what can we do? Well that brings me to the question in the title of this newsletter. Your immune system is the first and only defense against these pathogens. With that said the answer to the above question is... VERY IMPORTANT.
Over the next two months this newsletter will address the factors which decrease immunity and those factors which enhance it. Because of the amount if information I need to give you, I will send this newsletter every two weeks instead of monthly.
Taber's Medical Dictionary defines immunity as:
The state of being protected from acquiring a disease. The response of the body in resisting pathogens.
To put is simply have you ever wondered why some people get the flu and others don't? Even when an entire family is exposed to it, some will get sick and others won't. Our ability to fight off the flu virus is dependent on our immune system. Some factors are out of our control. The very young and the very old have less immunity. Those of us who are already sick will have a suppressed immune system.
But for everyone else there are factors we control which can boost our protection.
These factors fall into four categories:
- External Factors- Environment and our response to it,
- Input- What we ingest.
- Output- The activities we do.
- System Function- Your body’s functional capacity.
My intention is not to scare everyone into thinking that monsters are coming to get us. Hopefully you can be proactive and keep your family healthy.
For the time being here are some facts to remember. Pathogens include; bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. We "catch" these bugs from exposure with people and environment. The black plague was spread by rats that had fleas which were biting humans. People who lived where there were no fleas, seldom got sick. The most common place people are exposed to the drug resistant bacteria is at hospitals and medical clinics. So if you if you have to go there refrain from touching anything or anyone.
Use antibacterial soap and sanitizers. Avoid touching your face and especially your eyes. Those areas provide direct access into your body. After you leave wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water.
In two weeks, more on your immune system.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris
Health Update:
Recent research shows that people who started exercise by age 40 were
healthier into old age than people who never started exercising.Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris
Health Update:
-Cooper Institute, Dallas, 2012.
Quote Of The Month:
“The best kind of feedback you can offer is positive.”
~ John Demartini
