My general health article for this month discusses the issue of noscomial or hospital-acquired infections, which are those illnesses that are easily spread from one person to another by a hospital worker or even a visitor.

The hospital is supposed to be a place where sick people can go to get better. Ironically, though, it is the worst place to go, when you are sick because the body may already be in a weakened state, and thus susceptible to infection.

As a naturopath, I believe that gentle exposure to illness is an excellent way to help increase the healing power of the body’s immune system. Exposure to germs triggers the body to produce specialized white blood cells that are designed to do one thing: find and destroy the invader. However, when the body is bombarded the immune system can become compromised and unable to fight.

For example, college students are highly susceptible to illness because of compromised immune systems that have become that way due to:

• Lack of sleep

• Poor nutrition

• Physical stress

• Emotional stress

The common cold can easily evolve into a secondary infection such as acute bronchitis or sinusitis for example. The close proximity of multiple-students sharing dormitories and bathrooms makes it easy for the germs to spread from one person to many.

We can all do our part to help reduce the spread of illness by practicing good hygiene, especially proper hand washing techniques.

For more information on reducing the spread of illness, please visit: Centers for Disease Control

To read this month's article on Reducing Hospital Inquired Infections, click here.

Dr. Mundorff is the author of several books, Memories of My Sister: Dealing With Sudden Death, Medical Terminology: A Student Workbook, and her latest, Take Control: A Guide to Holistic Living, is an innovative health guide, which helps the reader learn how to regain control of their health by discovering the practical effectiveness of combining alternative and modern medicine. You can reach her at bridges2hlth@aol.com or visit her official blog. 

Disclaimer: Dr. Mundorff is a Registered Nurse and Board Certified Naturopath, and not a medical doctor. The information in this column is for educational purposes only and should not be used to self-diagnose and treat diseases. Naturopathy is a complementary practice and should be used in conjunction with a competent physician. Many herbal and homeopathic remedies can actually be contraindicated in many health conditions, with certain prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications. Please consult your physician before starting any alternative modalities.

 

Dr. Linda Mundorff