Senior Beat
by Carol Higgins Taylor
Special to The Weekly
It’s a bit late in the season to be saying this but so many people are sick. Something nasty
is going around, bringing people to their knees. Let’s face it. Getting a cold is miserable
business. And for seniors it can be particularly dangerous due to aging immune systems. An
older adult with a cold virus has fewer defenses to fight secondary infections, such as
pneumonia. Then there is the lingering cough that can be exhausting. Best scenario is to avoiding getting sick in the first place if at all possible.
There is a great resource for health information that you can trust. Boot up your computer
and gp tpo webmd.com to learn about a variety of ailments from A to Z. While this site
does not give medical advice or offer diagnosis or treatment, being well informed is worth the
time to log on.
Now we all know that the best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot but since there is
no vaccine for the common cold, prevention proves a bit trickier.
Among the tidbits webmd.com offers: “8 Natural Tips to Help Prevent a Cold.”
First up, wash your hands. A lot. As you have read everywhere, most cold and flu viruses are
spread by direct contact, meaning that someone who is sick sneezes into his or her hand then
touches anything except a bar of soap, the germs are transferred just waiting for a new human
to make miserable. Wash your hands as much as you can. And to avoid unnecessary dryness,
keep a bottle of your favorite hand lotion by the sink to use immediately after. Keeping hands
moisturized can help prevent the horrific thumb-splitting syndrome.
If you cannot get to a sink, use hand sanitizer whose active ingredient is alcohol. Don’t
just go for the “anti-bacterial” label. Remember, the cold is viral not bacterial.
Number two: Never cough or sneeze into your hands which can harbor and spread the
viruses and germs. When you feel the urge, use a tissue that can be immediately tossed in the
trash, or use the crook of your elbow.
Number three: Keep your potentially germy hands away from your face. Viruses can get
into your body through eyes, nose and mouth. It’s hard to remember this but try to stay
conscious of where your hands are at all times.
Number 4: Exercise to increase your heart rate and your breathing pace which helps
transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood. It also makes you sweat once you get the body
heated up. This all helps increase “the body’s natural virus-killing cells.”
Number 5: Eat foods containing phytochemicals which are the natural chemicals in plants
that give the vitamins in food a supercharged boost. Be sure to eat dark green, red and yellow
vegetables and fruits.
Number 6: Don’t smoke. Statistically heavy smokers get more severe and more frequent
colds. Smoking weakens the immune system and dries out nasal passages among other things.
Number 7: Reduce alcohol consumption as heavy drinkers are more prone to infections
and secondary complications. Also, alcohol will dehydrate you.
And finally number 8: Just relax. Talk to your healthcare provider about relaxation
techniques that might rev up your immune system.
According to webmd.com, “There’s evidence that when you put your relaxation skills
into action, your interleukins — leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu
viruses — increase in the bloodstream.” Spend 30 minutes daily imaging something you find
pleasant or calming.
And take heart. There are only two weeks till the official start of spring. Tick-Tock.
Carol Higgins Taylor is an advocate for seniors and owns a public relations firm in Bangor.
Email Higgins her at seniorbeat@gmail.com.