Dr. Sharon Orrange
Primary Care Physician
Dr Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California San Diego and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…
More About Me >>
FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Santa Monica, CA, USA
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
AFFILIATIONS:
  • Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of Geriatric, Hospital and General Internal Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
YEARS IN PRACTICE: 11
WEBSITES:
More About Me >>
Natural Ways to Treat and Prevent Respiratory Infections
31
Posted in Alzheimer's Dis... by Dr. Sharon Orrange on Dec 06, 2008

We are entering the season of viral upper respiratory infections when I am asked by patients and friends how to prevent and treat these annoying illnesses.  Antibiotics are of no use for the majority of these respiratory illnesses as most are caused by viruses, rhinovirus and coronavirus being the most common. A recent meeting of experts of integrative holistic medicine discussed treatment options that make sense for all of us. Addressing your environment, immune system and emotional health may help treat the 3-4 upper respiratory illnesses most of us get in a year. Here are your goals:


Heal the mucous membranes by reducing and eliminating inflammation:


 1)    Dry air is the worst offender for cracks in our mucous membranes which are our first line of defense. Striving for optimal air quality is key,  and what does that mean for us? Air that has a humidity level of 35% to 55%, a temperature of 65° to 85° F.  Home-based methods for achieving optimal air quality exist and I've seen them at Bed Bath and Beyond, for example. While I'm not advocating everyone go out to buy these, if you are a frequent sufferer of respiratory illnesses it is worth a try. Options include negative-ion generators that do not emit ozone, an electrostatic or pleated furnace filter, and keeping the furnace, air ducts, and carpets clean, without the use of harsh chemical-based cleaning agents.


2)   At a recent conference sponsored by the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine many experts recommended the use of warm-mist room humidifiers in bedrooms and offices, especially during the winter months. If you want to go green with this certain plants can also assist in cleaning the air, including those that remove formaldehyde (Boston fern, chrysanthemums, striped Dracaena, and the dwarf date palm), and carbon monoxide (spider plant).


3)   As I have mentioned in previous blogs, other strategies for healing mucous membranes include staying hydrated, so how much water should you be drinking during the winter months? It is recommended we drink 0.5 oz of water per lb of body weight a day.  It also helps to use a saline nasal spray with aloe vera or other anti-inflammatory herbs every 2-3 hours and some even recommend inhaling medicinal eucalyptus oil, and swabbing peppermint oil outside of both nostrils following use of the saline nose spray.


4)    A new favorite remedy used by my patients is nasal irrigation which has been found to alleviate sinus and nasal symptoms. I don't feel strongly about one over the other but options include the SinuPulse, a pulsatile irrigation device that removes biofilm covering the mucous membrane, a neti pot or SinuCleanse, or squeeze bottle sinus rinses.


Strengthening or restoring your immune system


1)   Exercise.  I'm a broken record on this but let me say it again: 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least three times a week, in addition to stretching and strengthening exercises will help strengthen your immune system.


2)   Inflammation increases free radicals, so fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fiber, and protein will help you out.


3)   Get enough sleep! At least 7 hours of sleep (see my previous blog on sleep) is the most overlooked key to overall well-being and a strong immune system. A lack of sleep will result in more colds and sinus infections. Period.


4)    I read something interesting from an expert in the field of Integrative Medicine, Dr. Ivker, who recommends "emotional exercises" that strengthen immune function. These include practicing "safe" anger release techniques such as pounding one's fists on a pillow or punching bag, screaming, laughing, crying, and writing in a journal. A 1999 JAMA study on asthma patients found that writing about stressful experiences had a favorable impact on symptom reduction (JAMA 1999;281:1304-9).


Is fungus or Yeast (Candida) Playing a Role?


1)    We don't have a consistently reliable test for fungal sinusitis and though this is not the issue for most of us, with challenging and recurrent cases of sinusitis we should think about this. Patients with suspected fungal sinusitis or Candida/yeast overgrowth (those who don't respond to standard treatments and have recurrent episodes) should for the short term at least, avoid sugar, milk, and dairy products; fruits; vinegar; mushrooms; alcohol, bread and other foods that contain yeast or wheat.


2)    I know, what are you supposed to eat? After 3 weeks, you can start to introduce non-gluten grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and millet, and if the elimination of the above listed foods doesn't help you at all then don't continue with it.


Look at the whole picture. Address the mental, emotional, spiritual, and social causes.


1)    Members of Dailystrength know this to be true: social connections play a role in good respiratory health. A study that is often quoted to support this idea was a 1984 study of medical students who were tested at final exam time, those who scored high on the Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale and the UCLA Loneliness Scale had significantly lower levels of natural killer cell activity, 90% lower interferon gamma levels, and lower T-cell responsiveness, compared with those with low-scale scores (Psychosom. Med. 1984;46:7-14).


2)    Findings from another study demonstrated that among caregivers of dementia patients, social connectedness correlated directly with immune function. Caregivers reporting the fewest social connections had more upper respiratory infections and decreased immune responsiveness, compared with those who had the greatest number of social connections (Psychosom. Med. 1991;53:345-62).


3)    I saw just yesterday in the Los Angeles Times a study about social connections and happiness that showed while a sibling less than 2 miles away who was happy was more likely to make you happy a NEIGHBOR who is happy makes you 36% more likely to be happy. Love thy neighbor.


Let's see if you can get this right, during the viral upper respiratory illness season, stay hydrated, eat right, get some sleep, and stay connected but please please wash your hands.


Dr O.  


 


CATEGORIES: News
CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES: Alzheimer's Disease  •  Anxiety  •  Arthritis  •  Asthma  •  Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)  •  Back Pain  •  Bone Cancer  •  Bone Marrow Transplant  •  Breast Cancer  •  Caregivers  •  Celiac Disease  •  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome  •  Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)  •  Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)  •  Chronic Pain  •  Cocaine Addiction & Recovery  •  Colds & Flu  •  College Stress  •  Congenital Heart Disease  •  COPD & Emphysema  •  Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis  •  Cystic Fibrosis  •  Degenerative Disc Disease  •  Degenerative Joint Disease  •  Depression Supporters  •  Diabetes Type 2  •  Environmental Allergies  •  Epilepsy & Seizures  •  Family & Friends of Cancer Patients  •  Fibromyalgia  •  Fitness Goals  •  Food Allergies  •  Gastric Bypass Surgery  •  Gout  •  Graves' Disease  •  Head and Neck cancers  •  Healthy Sex  •  Heart Attack  •  Heart Failure  •  Hepatitis B  •  Hepatitis C  •  Heroin Addiction & Recovery  •  High Blood Pressure  •  High Cholesterol  •  High School Stress  •  HIV  •  Hyperthyroidism  •  Hypothyroidism  •  Hysterectomy  •  Interstitial Cystitis (IC)  •  Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)  •  Lung Cancer  •  Lupus  •  Lyme Disease  •  Marijuana Addiction & Recovery  •  MCTD  •  Meth Addiction & Recovery  •  Migraine Headaches  •  MRSA  •  Multiple Sclerosis (MS)  •  Myasthenia Gravis  •  Myofascial Pain Syndrome  •  Non-hodgkin's Lymphoma  •  Obesity  •  Pneumonia  •  Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)  •  Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)  •  Polycythemia  •  Post Partum Depression  •  Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS)  •  Pregnancy  •  Pulmonary Fibrosis  •  Rheumatoid Arthritis  •  Sarcoidosis  •  Schizophrenia  •  Seasonal Affective Disorder  •  Self-Injury  •  Shingles  •  Sleep Apnea  •  Smoking Addiction & Recovery  •  Stress Management  •  Stroke  •  Tinnitus  •  Vegetarians & Vegans  •  Veterans
TAGS:

Displaying comments 31-12 of 31
31
Do you have any recommendations or guidelines for COPD and Emphysema re temperatures outside - when it is safer to stay at home. Next 5-7 days it is unlikely temperatures will rise above 3 degrees celcius. Thank you.
club penguin cheats
By hankjmatt  Oct 26, 2009
30
At me the houses cost(stand) such очистетели of air. I am very pleased with them, of a dust became smaller.
_____________________
outdoor fireplace and grill
| free business cards | business cards design
By AlexaSM  Sep 20, 2009
29
I'm glad to have visited your blog and good to know you! I find it interesting and informative....
Designer Store
By designerstudiostore  Aug 21, 2009
28
Are air purifiers much use in helping with respiratory problems? I'm considering purchasing one which is pretty cheap, but wondered whether to get a better one if it helps prevent infections.

Tim
- stone fireplace designs, laptop computers.
By Hueyloo  Jun 10, 2009
27
My grany also having asthema....... thanks for this post......... hair loss treatment products
By somnathpost  May 20, 2009
26
Actually my two friends are suffering from Asthma. So, I need your guidance to help them fight from this disease. Travel Deals
By TravelDeals  Apr 18, 2009
25
How can we get a permanent cure of Asthma ? Can it be controlled or permanently cured?
By TravelDeals  Apr 18, 2009
24
When you're in the midst of the flu, besides plenty of rest, fluids, and good nutrition, there are some additional alternative medicine approaches that some experts recommend.Thanks with
Volkswagen vans
By carsalesjobs  Apr 08, 2009
23
How to prevent upper respiratory infections ? I stayed home from work today with what feels like the beginning of an upper respiratory infection. I used to get them a lot as a child, but then for probably 20 years I almost never got them. Now in the last couple of years, I seem to get two or three every year. I know how to avoid colds....washing my hands a lot, not touching my face, get lots of vitamin C, etc. But is there a way to keep from getting these darned infections?? (By the way....any advice for helping get rid of one besides antibiotics would be great, too!) thanks by cheap van contract hire park!!!
By vancontracthire  Mar 31, 2009
22
Nice blog on health. Information available here is of great use. Is there any cure of AIDS? Hotel accommodation!
By Hotelaccommodation  Mar 26, 2009
21
Very informative blog. Good information is available here. My friend is a patient of Asthma. I would prescribe him this blog. He can get some content for himself. I hope so. Respiratory infections are common problems these days. It is better to diagnose it before getting it severe.
neckties
By neckties  Mar 23, 2009
20
Long life can be achieve if we practice a healthy lifestyle such as refraining from using of aerosol sprays perfumes which helps to restore the ozone layer, which in turn prevents us from getting respiratory related diseases. The ozone levels have been rising drastically over the last few decades, especially thanks to our use of fossil fuels. It may be in our best interest to reduce those levels, even if means getting installment loans to do it.swarovski rhinestones
By swarovskirhinestone  Mar 22, 2009
19
i saw that many people r added comments here.i think its a very valuable info whoch should be known by everyone.
wholesale apparel
By silsbn  Mar 20, 2009
18
The frequent occurrence of our respiratory illness can also be avoided if we knew how to discipline ourselves. We should protect our ozone layer because the depletion of which lead to various respiratory illness such as emphysema and other other pulmonary disorders. Our health should always be our main concern above all. Long life can be achieve if we practice a healthy lifestyle such as refraining from using of aerosol sprays perfumes which helps to restore the ozone layer, which in turn prevents us from getting respiratory related diseases. The ozone levels have been rising drastically over the last few decades, especially thanks to our use of fossil fuels. It may be in our best interest to reduce those levels, even if means getting installment loans to do it..
The cost of gas has come at too high a price. We all may pay with our lives due to ozone levels.
By NicolasL  Mar 18, 2009
17
Wow, your boss sounds like something else. The first question I would ask is who has complained and how often have complaints been officially brought to HR's attention? Make sure that all of these issues have been documented and keep records for your own legal protection. Sounds like he has many issues. I would focus on the most eggregious issues. For example, while your boss may leave 2-3 hours after the day begins, that is not as much an issue for you as how he is treating you. Second, while HR has not presented you the resolution, automotive recruitment it may not mean they are not still investigating or have not taken some action. They may also need more evidence. I would continue to provide documentation and evidence of your boss' bad behavior.Third, I would find legal help. Life is too short to have your life ruined at work. Obviously I don't know all the details of your case but if you have evidence of his actions, it sounds like you have a fairly strong legal issue.
By carsalesjobs  Mar 14, 2009
16
My employer has threatened to fire me if I don't give him a weekly report on what I do on a daily basis. He knows I am on job sites all day or in the office tending paperwork issues. He has not asked this report of anyone else but me. None of the guys have been asked for a weekly report. I am the only female other than a Field Supervisor who is on this job and she is not requested to do any progress reports. Out of 54 employees I am the only one who he has doing this. Is this a fair practice? Is he picking on me? Is this legal? Lots of questions go through my head. He does not treat the women in this office as fair as he does the men....girl..!!!
By Anuya  Mar 11, 2009
15
I have a question regarding an in-network doctor that my coworker is using. Apparently, this doctor's practice which is located in Greenwich, CT is charging a "Prescription Plan" fee. In other words you have to pay a yearly cost of $25 in order for her to write out prescriptions that you can bring in to a pharmacy to have filled out. She however gives you the option of buying your medicine from her directly. Is this a legal and fair practice..?by ..Anuya..Thanks
By Anuya  Feb 24, 2009
14
Hello again Dr Orrange - just want to ask - I have emphysema and try to go to our hospital gym twice a week. Today it is 0 degrees outside and I'm thinking although I only have to get in the car and drive the air will be very cold. Do you have any recommendations or guidelines for COPD and Emphysema re temperatures outside - when it is safer to stay at home. Next 5-7 days it is unlikely temperatures will rise above 3 degrees celcius. Thank you.
By Breathes  Dec 29, 2008
13
Hey Doc did you see the 2007 release of the UC Berkley study on supplements? Here is the citation: http://www.shaklee.net/steve/prodV...
Here is the background on the company: http://www.shaklee.net/steve/about... These two should keep you busy for a while. But the gist of the UC study is that there is a REAL and significant difference between Shaklee products and no supps and the third group 1 single daily and this was for a 20 year period of use. Not a clinical study true. But the Shaklee people were older than the other two groups. And ALL of the markers were better in the Shaklee Group than the other 2 groups.
Here is the lady in charge of this stuff-Dr. Jamie McManus, M.D., FAAFP
Shaklee Chairman of Medical Affairs, Health Sciences and Education

Link to the study- http://landmarkstudy.com/
MD resource web page-I can't get in here as it is reserved for you guys
http://physicians.shaklee.com/

Have a great read!
By folsomkid  Dec 23, 2008
12
That is an excellent post Dr Orange, thank you so much for posting.
By Breathes  Dec 19, 2008
PAGE:  < Previous  |  1  |   2  |   Next >
Got a Question?
 
 
 
 
My Fans
POPULAR POSTS