Winter time humidity is a big issue. As the weather turns colder and the heaters start working 24/7 then the indoor air will start drying out.
Studies have shown that dry air has four main effects on the human body:
As your body fights the dry air you start to use up your vitamin A stores. This enhances the dry skin and sinus problems as well as weakens your immune system. It is important that you have a humidity gauge in each bedroom and a cool mist humidifier to combat the dry air. I recommend the ultrasonic humidifiers as they put the most water in the air.
Dry skin, Chapped lips, Clogged sinuses, Itchy skin, Dry throat coughs, Cracked nasal membranes, Increased risk of bacteria infection, Aggravated asthma & allergy symptoms
You may also notice these changes around your home:
Drier air causes sinuses to dry and crack, making people more susceptible to winter colds and flu viruses. In fact, this change from higher outside relative humidity to lower indoor relative humidity in the winter is a significant contributing factor in the spread of colds and flus. By maintaining the proper level of humidity indoors, you reduce illness in the winter. Studies have shown that the body's immune system will function better when the relative humidity in a home is between 45%-65%.
Pneumococcus, staphylococcus, and streptococcus bacteria die up to 20 times faster at a relative humidity between 45% and 55%, than above 70% or below 20%. Dehydration can also cause negative health effects. Symptoms of dehydration include dry skin, chronic joint and muscle pain, raspy throat, sinus and nasal pain, sore eyes, a lack of mental concentration, and a decrease in the body's immune system.
The most comfortable relative humidity for the human body | 45-65%RH |
Ideal relative humidity for prophylactic and curative purposes | 40-50%RH |
Computer and telecom apparatuses | 45-65%RH |
Furniture and musical instruments | 40-60%RH |
Libraries (books), art galleries and museums | 40-60%RH |
Dry air can cause or irritate sinus problems, but inhaling moisture can help. Simply breathing the steam from a hot shower will ease congestion.
You can also enhance the steam you breathe with sinus-clearing essential oils. Once or twice a day, add five drops of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), or sandalwood (Santalum album) essential oils (or a combination) to a large bowl of steaming-hot water, suggests Sylvia Goldfarb, Ph.D., of Wyncote, Pa., author of Allergy Relief (Avery Penguin Putnam, 2000). Drape a towel over your head and the bowl, and breathe deeply for 10 minutes. You'll feel relief within that time.
To treat acute sinusitis, substitute tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and repeat the sinus steam three to four times daily. Tea tree oil's powerful antibacterial properties fight the bacteria that cause many infections," says Karen Barnes, N.D., a naturopath in Burlington, Ontario, and author of Naturopathic First Aid (Quarry Press, 2001). Your symptoms should clear up within a few days.
Rinsing your sinuses with saltwater helps them drain mucus. Studies show that this significantly reduced symptoms like pain and inflammation in more than 2/3 of sinusitis sufferers. Heatley says recommending nasal irrigation to her patients cut the number of sinus surgeries she performed in half.
To rinse your sinuses, use a neti pot, a small teapot-like device sold at most natural food stores. Combine three parts non-iodized salt and one part baking soda, and add 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture to 1/2 cup of warm water in the pot. This solution matches your body's salinity, and baking soda makes it less irritating to your sinuses.
Lean over a sink and insert the spout of the pot into your left nostril. Tilt your head and the pot to the right and let the solution flow out your right nostril. Exhale forcefully through both nostrils and repeat on the other side. Repeat as needed.
The zing of certain spices opens clogged sinuses and promotes drainage. As condiments, use hot salsas or chutneys that contain chiles, or sprinkle cayenne pepper on your food, recommends Goldfarb or use wasabi.
Courtesy of:
John H. Keefe III, D.C.
(918) 663-1111
IN THE NEWS: WHEN IS A HEALTH FOOD NOT A HEALTH FOOD Most commercial yogurts are chock-full of sugar, processed fructose (high fructose corn syrup), and/or artificial sweeteners and flavors, which nourish disease causing microbes in your gut. Healthy microbes are not only important for optimal digestion of food and absorption of nutrients, these bacteria also help your body produce vitamins, absorb minerals, and even aid in the elimination of toxins. Recent research suggests yogurt containing Lactobacillus rhamenosus can help protect children and pregnant women against heavy metal poisoning. Your absolute best bet, when it comes to yogurt, is to make your own using a starter culture and raw, organic grass fed milk. However, there are high-quality USDA 100% organic yogurts on the market. READ LABELS!
WELLNESS: BLACK SALVE AND BREAST CANCER The use of black salve is sometimes referred to as botanical surgery because of this extraordinary ability to purge solid tumors and skin cancers from the body. Black salve is a thick paste which is made from various Native American herbs, with the main herbal component being bloodroot. The salve is used by applying a small amount over the area of diagnosed or suspected malignancy, which then triggers an immune system response to the neoplastic (cancerous) tissue as the cancer finally is recognized by the immune system. Although it is possible that healthy tissue may also become reddened and irritated when the black salve is applied, it is only cancerous tissue that will form an eschar (piece of dead tissue that is cast off from the surface of the skin). Once recognized, the immune system forces the body to expel the tumor by bringing it to the surface until this completely emerges and detaches itself from the skin (this is the eschar). For more information and videos Google black salve. http://youtu.be/_GOoB-C6EPE
CONDITION OF THE WEEK: COLDS AND FLUES since research studies have shown the flu shot to be mostly ineffective and dangerous what is one to do to prevent colds and flues? Regular chiropractic adjustments increase a person’s immunity by 200% so that should be step one. When the heaters come on in the wintertime and the air dries out so does your mucous membranes in your sinuses and lungs. Keeping the humidity above 40% step two. Nutrients like A&D and vitamin C will improve immunity. Exercise, sleep and detoxification rounds out the perfect defense against colds and flues. As Smokey the Bear has said: only you can prevent colds and flues, take care of yourself this winter.
FUNNY BONE:Q: What do you get if you cross a leopard with a watchdog? A: A terrified postman! Q: Post Office just recalled their newest stamps: A: They had pictures of IRS agents on them, and people couldn't figure out which side to spit on. Q: What do you call 25 skydiving I.R.S. agents? A: Skeet.
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How Snore Guard® Works
Snore Guard® is a small intra-oral (in the mouth) device used only during sleep. It helps prevent the jaw and tongue from dropping back into the throat and restricting the air passage. Keeping the air-way open greatly reduces snoring.
It has a unique inner lining that is softened by heat during the fitting process (similar to custom athletic mouth guards). It fits snugly over your top teeth while you sleep and is designed to keep your lower jaw in a comfortable forward position. This keeps your airway open, helping to eliminate snoring.
Snoring: It's a Problem Worth Solving!
"Snoring has been identified as a risk indicator of and possible risk factor for hypertension, heart disease and stroke." B.C. Walter and R.S. Bhopal, "Is snoring a Cause of Vascular Disease? An Epidemiological Review," Lancet, \bl. 1, 1989, pp 143-146.
If you snore, you are not getting the rest you should from your sleep. You may also be at risk for sleep apnea and other serious health disorders.
Fortunately, your doctor can now treat your snoring with Snore Guard ®. This safe, fast treatment is effective the first night you use it.
Many a vacation trip was marred by my snoring and my wife putting her foot in my back."
"I want to thank you for showing me the Snore Guard . . . The results have been wonderful!" - Robert M. W., DDS
Snore Guard after fitting.
"Snore Guard is an effective treatment in patients with snoring and mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea and is associated with fewer side effects and greater satisfaction than alternative methods." K.A. Furgeson, T. Ono,A.A. Lowe, S.P. Keenan, and J.A. Fleetham, "A Randomized Cross-Over Study of an Oral Appliance versus Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in the Treatment of Mild-Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea," Chest Vol. 109, 1996, pp. 1269-1275
Some CPAP users have found: Snore Guard® convenient for weekend get-aways or vacation use!o Comfortable ONE-PIECE design. No multiple pieces, screws, wires or elastic bands.
Though my wife complained of snoring, especially when I returned from a Sydney or Hong Kong flight, I realized I had a problem (and set out to correct it) when my snoring woke my daughter up, through two closed doors.
With no changes in my lifestyle, using the Snore Guard I now wake up (after 7 hours of sleep) at 6-7a.m. well rested." - Lew M., Airline Pilot
Dr. Keefe can tell you more about Snore Guard and how it works to stop snoring.