It’s natural to get worried about our health and safety during raining as it goes hand in hand with host of epidemics like malaria, dengue fever and other food borne diseases. Poor immunity makes each one of us most vulnerable to virus and bacteria attack during rainy season making us sick and keeping us away from enjoying the rains. Well, the good news is that the key to safeguard our health this season is to strengthen our body’s ability to fight against infections (immunity) naturally.
During this season, the most common diseases and infections include common cough and cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, various upper respiratory tract and lower respiratory tract infections, diarrhea or dysentery, chiefly caused by viruses. Since majority of these disorders are caused by viruses, antibiotics are not advisable as they are not effective in viral disorders and their misuse leads to antibiotic resistance. The logical and scientific approach in such cases is to strengthen the immunity so that the body fights off viral infections on its own.
According to a report of Yale University scientists posted online December 29th, 2016 by John Sichel, the research found that lower temperatures weaken the nose’s first line of immune defences. The researchers discovered that cooler temperatures result in a “sluggish immune response” and leave people more susceptible to infection. The immune cells’ response was weaker under cold conditions, which enabled the rhinovirus to invade and multiply.
What is immune system?
Immune system is the body’s primary defense mechanism made up of several tissues and cells that protect the body against toxins and unwanted invaders that can result in an infection or illness. However, a poor diet, frequent illnesses and a host of other factors can impact a healthy immune system over time and weaken it.
Frequent allergies, cold, flu, and even skin conditions can often be a result of a weakened immune system, especially during a cold weather. From times immemorial, parents knew the importance of preventing their children from playing in the rain in order not to catch a cold or fall sick.
TIPS TO PREVENT INFECTIONS THIS COLD SEASON
DRINK CLEAN & SAFE WATER: The chances of water contamination are very high during a cold weather. The overflowing gutter and other extra polluted water may flow in to the water reservoirs. It is always safe to drink purified water by boiling or filtering to prevent water borne diseases. Don’t rely on the tap water or the packaged water from the stall but always carry water bottle while travelling.
AVOID EATING OUT: Contaminated food is another important cause of diarrhea, dysentery and liver disorders (jaundice) during a cold or rainy season. Avoid street foods and cold refrigerated foods to prevent infection. Be cautious while eating uncooked foods and salads. Consume freshly made warm home-cooked food. Always cover your food and prevent it from getting exposed to flies etc. Wash fruits and vegetables properly before cooking.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM RAIN: We all are thrilled to get soaked in the rain. But constantly getting wet may make us sick. The rain carries dust particles, germs from the air which may gain an entry in our body through wound, broken skin, eyes, nose and mouth causing infections. Getting wet and wearing wet clothes for long lowers the body temperature increasing the chances of bacteria and viruses attack in those with poor immunity. Avoid getting drenched in the first rain, which carries dust particles and harmful pollutants from the air causing skin allergies, irritation and infection. Grab an umbrella, raincoat or run for cover to prevent getting wet in the rain.
CARE FOR YOUR FEET: Our feet are the most impacted during a cold season. Walking through the filthy waterlogged pavements, puddles, exposes them to fungal and bacterial infections like ringworm, itching, soreness and smelly feet. Prevent fungal infection by keeping your feet dry and dirt free. Avoid wearing wet shoes and socks for long. Ensure proper washing of feet using soap and wipe them dry. Take extra care if you have cracks and abrasions on the feet. Avoid walking barefoot during rainy season, you may catch leptospirosis. Choose open strapped waterproof footwear and wash them clean after every use.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MOSQUITOES: Rain water provides breeding ground for the mosquitoes causing increase in malaria, dengue epidemic. Protect from mosquito-borne diseases by taking necessary precautions like not allowing the water to stagnate. Use mosquito repellents, nets and wear fully covered clothing to protect against mosquito bites.
STAY HYGIENIC: Practicing good hygienic practices helps prevent cold weather infections. Take a hot water bath after getting soaked in the rain. Wash your hands and feet thoroughly after coming from outside. Use separate towels, hand towels and wash them every day. Use sanitizer when away from home. Wear clean dry clothes to prevent skin infections. Use disinfectant wipes to clean your mobile phones.
MAINTAIN A ROUTINE: An irregular routine with erratic meal times can have a massive impact on the immune system. Try to regularize your daily routine for better health.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP: Lack of sleep can severely impact the immune system and overall health. It is important to get at least 7 hours sleep daily for a healthy system.
USE EXTRAMMUNE: Extrammune is a rational herbal immunity enhancer. It enhances the defense mechanism, thereby increasing the ability of the body to fight against infections—both viral and bacterial. It has been formulated with selected plant ingredients against the current epidemiological backdrop wherein many factors are now converging to weaken the immunity, rendering conventional antimicrobials inadequate or ineffective.
Herbs like Curcuma longa, Tinospora cordifolia, Ocimum sanctum and Glycyrrhiza glabra in Extrammune improve our ability to resist infection by supporting functions of immune system. Cyperus rotundus has anti-inflammatory property. Piper longum enhances host resistance, is a bioavailability enhancer and respiratory tonic; it helps in recovery from intestinal infections too. Thus, the time tested herbs in Extrammune synergistically help to stimulate the production and activity of infection-fighting cells, thereby improving host resistance and helping in faster recovery.
Extrammune prevents and treats various disorders by improving body’s defense system to protect against the seasonal outbreaks of infectious disorders. Another advantage of Extrammune in treating infectious diseases is that it can be combined with antibiotics in case bacterial infections occur. Extrammune improves the antibiotic action without the risk of adverse events that would occur with higher doses of powerful antibiotics.
Most of the modern medication and antibiotic therapies target only the pathogenic microorganism in the management of infectious disorders. The wiser approach is to make the host strong making microbes less virulent. Extrammune does overcome infectious disorders by increasing defense system and by reducing the virulence of disease-causing microbes. Additionally, Extrammune repairs the damage caused by infections quickly.
So this rainy season let us be proactive and boost immune system with Extrammune – The Herbal Immunity Enhancer.
