When people get a cold, an upper respiratory tract infection, they take much too long to recover. It should take only a day or two. Most people do all the wrong things, and omit the very things that help healing.

In PART I we discussed a few mistakes, such as taking antibiotics (a cold is a virus and antibiotics are for bacterial infections), eating sugar (which suppresses immune function), eating too much food (redirecting the body's energy away from healing) and good old fashioned chicken soup!

The other mistake people make when ill is to continue going about their usual day. If you take the time off to heal, you heal much quicker. Rest during the day, and get extra sleep during the night.

Exercise is important when sick, yet it uses up extra energy. The secret is in the balance. Movement is an important component in preventing an upper respiratory infection from going deeper into the lungs. But too much exhausts. Jumping on a mini-trampoline, taking a 15-20 minute walk, or running in place keeps the lymphatic system moving the waste (which includes dead viruses) along, and keeps the mucus in the respiratory system moving. Be careful not to exhaust yourself, because we want enough energy left for healing!

Baths can be helpful. Not only are they relaxing, but you can stimulate diaphoresis (sweating), which can speed recovery. Take a nice hot bath for 20-30 minutes (be cautious if very ill that it's not too hot, or you could faint). Then jump under extra blankets on your bed and sleep. Sweat it out!

Taking calcium can be helpful. There are different theories why we have a fever with an infection. The most popular is that it burns off the bacteria or virus. A less common explanation is that fevers liberate calcium from the bones for use in immune response. It makes sense then why our bones get so achy when we have a fever. Calcium creates a kind of "gateway" to allow the immune factors to attack the pathogen. Taking a bunch of calcium lactate frequently stops the fever, without the need for drugs.

Few people realize that Chinese Medicine (acupuncture and herbal medicine) can be highly effective in treating respiratory tract infections. Acupuncturists and other alternative health practitioners frequently question "why?" "Why is it that when a group of people are all exposed to the same virus, only 1 or 2 of them get sick?" The answer lies in the condition of the immune system to start with. The stronger the immune system, the less likely they will get sick.

How do we strengthen the immune system to prevent future illnesses? Eat good, nourishing foods including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fresh proteins, and fresh dairy products. Avoid fried, processed, junk foods, and fast foods. Make sugar the rare treat instead of a regular habit. Exercise, relax and de-stress.

Take the time to be well or you will take the time to be sick.

Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 32 years of experience. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health-care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit Carling's website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.