Statistics show that the cold and flu season arrives in the United States around October and stays until May, with its peak between December and February. Some years are worse than other years, regarding people affected and the intensity of the illness. Read further to help understand how our Snellville Chiropractors can help with these cold or flu symptoms!
The Differences between Cold and Flu
The common cold and the flu often share many symptoms, so it can be tricky to tell them apart from each other. The flu is more severe than the common cold; however, those suffering from the flu will most commonly have symptoms such as fever, body aches, fatigue, and dry cough. Signs of the cold are runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. Both conditions are common, contagious, short-term, and usually self-treatable.
Patients at High Risk
Infants, elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic disease or a weakened immune system are considered high-risk for influenza.
Viral in Comparison to Bacterial Infections
Bacteria are often harmless and at times even helpful, in comparison to most viruses which cause disease. Viruses take over your normal cells and use them to multiply to become more dominant. Some of the most common illnesses are cold and flu so they can’t be treated with antibiotics.
Some of the most popular bacterial infections are strep throat and urinary tract infections. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, however using antibiotics has become so common that many strains of bacteria are now antibiotic-resistant. Due to this fact, antibiotics use should be controlled. There are many infections that can be bacterial or viral, such as pneumonia, ear infections, and sinusitis.
Treating a Patient with Cold and Flu Symptoms
Lots of people turn to over-the-counter drugs to alleviate the symptoms of the cold and flu, but these come along with side effects.
The Lymphatic and Central Nervous Systems
One of the important systems of the body is the lymphatic system, defined as an interconnected system of organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and lymph vessels that move clear fluid with white blood cells and chyle from tissues out into the bloodstream. This is one of the most vital components of the immune system. The essential part of the lymph nodes of the body makes immune cells to help fight infection.
Lymph is distributed throughout the body by the musculoskeletal system. In a study published in Nature magazine in June of 2015, it stated that the central nervous system is connected to the lymphatic system.
These connections between the musculoskeletal system, central nervous system, and lymphatic system educate us on how a chiropractic adjustment can drastically improve the functionality of the immune system. A chiropractic adjustment eliminates subluxations in the spine, which happens when a vert</brebrae move out of alignment and can prevent efficient communication within the central nervous system. Subluxations can also limit a person’s movement in the musculoskeletal system.
Contact AICA Snellville To Stay Healthy This Cold and Flu Season
Call our Snellville Chiropractors at (404) 889-8826 to make an appointment to talk to one of our staff members regarding your cold or flu-like symptoms!