With last year’s flu season having been associated with 80,000 deaths in the United States - one of the deadliest in decades - focusing on immune health is important.
Steps before and after symptoms help recovery. Photograph(c) auremar / stock.Adobe.comThere are essentially three stages of the flu: incubation - the development of the virus within your body; infection - when most symptoms are strongest; and convalescence - as your body recuperates from the virus.
“Most people are familiar with vaccines to prevent the flu and remedies to relieve symptoms,” says physician Dr. Fred Pescatore, “There is less awareness about the recovery stage, when your body is weakened by the virus and at risk for other ailments.”
Dr. Pescatore is offering the following tips:
Increase air moisture - Adding moisture to the air can help reduce congestion and soothe the throat while recovering from the flu. Using a humidifier in dry rooms can ease symptoms.
Also, try a face steam. Begin by boiling a pot of water. Remove it from the heat and bring your face close while draping a towel over your head to breathe in the steam. Dr. Pescatore recommends drops of peppermint to open up the nasal passages even more.
Get rest - Even when symptoms ease, your body and immune system are in a weakened state. It’s tempting to jump right back into your routine, but you still need extra rest and hydration.
Drink herbal tea - Dr. Pescatore recommends licorice tea, which he said is sweet and supports immunity, which is needed at this stage of the flu.
Add a super-antioxidant - A new peer-reviewed study shows that supplementing with the natural super-antioxidant robuvit, French oak wood extract, supports flu recuperation.
“The body is under stress during a bout of flu,” says Dr. Pescatore. “Inflammation is up and oxygen levels and blood pressure can drop. Helping your body recover fully is important.”
