NATURAL remedy for ASTHMA relief

The immune system protects the body from foreign microbes, pathogens and abnormal cells and eliminate them. The abnormal reaction that gives a ‘false alarm’ is called allergy. Allergies unheard of in the 60s, is affecting one in three Singaporeans now and half the population in 10 years’ time.

Foods and substances like peanuts, shellfish, prawn, egg, fragrance, dust, pollen appear harmless to most people but may cause irritants to some allergic sufferers. They may trigger a series of responsive reaction such as running nose, sneezing, itchiness, rashes, swelling or asthma.

Eczema and Asthma

Asthma is often associated with house mite whilst eczema can be skin allergy causing itchiness or rashes on the skin and food allergy causing bloating or stomach discomfort.

Recent studies showed about half of children with eczema ends up with asthma eventually. The more severe the eczema, the higher the risk. Statistics further showed that those with severe eczema and allergies have a 70-80% chance of developing asthma compared with 20-30% for mild eczema.

What is asthma?

For majority of us, it is easy to take breathing for granted, but if you have asthma, breathing does not always come easy.

Asthma is the most common allergy reaction affecting the respiratory system. It is a chronic illness whereby the bronchial tubes are being filled with mucus secretion and become inflamed. This constriction of the airways impedes the transport of oxygen to the lungs and the removal of carbon dioxide. It manifests in typical symptoms of an attack like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. The duration can last for a few minutes to a few hours.

Causes

An attack can be triggered when the individual is exposed to an allergen or irritant, from within (eg. adrenal disorders, fear, laughing, low blood sugar, stress) or external sources (eg. temperature changes, humidity, chemicals, vigorous exercise, drugs, dust mites, tobacco smoke). Other reasons:

+ Some scientific studies point towards low plasma concentrations of specific antioxidants, eg. Vitamin C associated with more severe asthma condition. They are also found to have lower than normal levels of gastric hydrochloric acid, which is needed for proper digestion.

+ More people consuming junk foods that are highly processed and contain harmful chemical additives. The dietary changes have favored a hyper-acidic internal environment promoting inflammation and hypersensitivity of bronchial tissue.

+ The use of antibiotics damage the natural flora populations which protect bronchial and gut tissue allows further immune system degradation. It has been found that children whose mothers took antibiotics while they were pregnant were 17% more likely to be hospitalised for asthma subsequently. This can be due to a diminishing number of beneficial bacteria wiped off by the antibiotics. Upon transmission to the newborn baby, such unbalanced bacterial mix impacts on the immune maturation.

Treatment

+ Allergic allergens and irritants can be removed to avoid asthmatic attack. Non-allergic elements are harder to control, namely adrenal disorders, anxiety, anger, temperature changes, exercise, extremes of dryness or humidity, fear, laughing, low blood sugar and stress.

+ Asthma can be difficult to diagnose conclusively as its symptoms are quite similar to other respiratory diseases. In chronic cases, it is often treated with medications that are inhaled directly so the medicine reaches the air sacs in the lungs to aid breathing. However, long term dependency offers their share of side effects.

+ If you are currently using medication to control your asthma, supplements may help you gradually to reduce the dosage. Giving these supplements a try may restore healthy breathing in a safe and natural way, but inform your doctor know before taking supplements for asthma.

Supplements

+ Ginkgo

For more than a millennium, people in Asia have looked to the ginkgo tree as a source of healing. In recent years, scientists have discovered how ginkgo can make breathing more comfortable for people with asthma. The same substance that causes your blood to clot when you get a cut can trigger an asthma attack. It is called PAF or platelet activating factor that can cause allergic responses. This sudden narrowing of the main air passages from the windpipe to the lungs may feel like a tightening or squeezing in your chest, and breathing becomes difficult. Ginkgo can prevent this by blocking PAF.

Ginkgo biloba extract is sold as an herbal supplement in health food stores. It comes in liquid form, tablet or capsule. The extract should contain 24% flavoglycosides, 10% quercetin and 6% terpenoids. Also look for ”tannin-free” and “50:1 concentrate. Take 40 milligrams (mg) thrice a day over 4-6 weeks to see some noticeable effect.

+ Turmeric

 

The pigment in turmeric called curcumin gives curry its yellow color. According to researchers from the Nihon University School of Medicine in Tokyo, this pigment can help to prevent asthma attacks by curbing the release of substances resulting in wheezing and chest-tightening. It can inhibit platelet aggregation, aid circulation and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Available in capsule or liquid form, the usual dose of turmeric for other conditions is 1.5 to 3 grams daily. There are no known side effects from turmeric except occasional stomach upsets after prolonged use. Do not take if you have gallstones or a blockage of the bile duct.

+ Magnesium

Quite a bit of research has linked magnesium with the improvement of asthma symptoms. One study at City Hospital in Nottingham, England found that making an effort to take more magnesium can have a positive effect on asthma in a very short time. In a study involving 17 people who took either 400 milligrams of magnesium or a look-alike supplement without magnesium (a placebo) for several three-week periods, symptoms were significantly fewer when people in the study were getting the supplemental magnesium.

Avocado, sunflower seeds, nuts, legumes, dairy products, seafood and dark green vegetables are good source of magnesium, which have an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscle of the upper respiratory tract. In fact, asthma patients usually have low magnesium level and doctors may prescribe magnesium sulfate to improve the condition. Since it is easily lost during washing, peeling and processing, choose fresh or minimally processed foods.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for magnesium is 320 mg for women over 30 and 420 mg for men over 30. For an asthma attack, recommended dosage is 600 milligrams of magnesium along with any medications that have been prescribed by your doctor. If you get relief, continue with a daily supplement of 600 milligrams, but do not take this much if you have any kidney problems or low blood pressure. Even under normal circumstance, do not over-consume as it can make you very sick, causing nausea, vomiting, or even paralysis or death. This is especially so for some over-the-counter medication, including laxatives and antacids where magnesium is the key ingredient.

A safe combination is calcium, magnesium, zinc and Vitamin D. The effective calcium/magnesium ratio is 2:1. Correct usage may stop the acute asthmatic episode by increasing the capacity of the lungs, tissue repair and has the dilating effect on the bronchial muscles.

+ Vitamin C

Medical studies have showed vitamin C’s ability to squelch certain inflammatory substances that are produced by over-reactive lung cells. There is a correlation between the low blood levels of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and the frequency and severity of asthmatic attacks. Hence, high dosage administered can help to reduce asthmatics by lowering histamine levels.

+ Omega 3

In an emergency situation, certain drugs called leukotriene inhibitors are probably the quickest route to relief to counteract bronchial constriction and other allergic reactions, but supplements of omega-3 fatty acids work by a similar anti-inflammatory mechanism and are also effective for long-term asthma control.

Our bodies do not produce Omega-3 fatty acids and have to derive from food sources especially in the oils of cold-water fish such as tuna, mackerel and salmon. Over time, supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids can dramatically reduce asthmatic wheezing. Some doctors recommend a daily dose of 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams of fish-oil concentrate or two teaspoons of cod-liver oil.

+ Bioflavonoids

Colourful fruits and vegetables contain bioflavonoids as can be seen by the bright pigments. Bioflavonoids are growth regulators in plants and have potent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Available in supplemental form include quercetin, pycnogenol, grapeseed extract and ginkgo extract.

+ Coenzyme 10 - has the ability to counter histamine and promote detoxification of dangerous substances from the immune system by enhancing oxygen utilisation by our cells.

+ Vitamin A and E – needed for lung tissue repair and keep down infection. Also increase air flow and fight inflammation.

Dos and Don'ts

Do -

+ Eat a diet comprising mainly fresh fruits and vegetables. As a guide, diet should be high in protein, low in carbohydrates and sugarless.
+  Most asthmatic patients have weakened immune system due to poor flora population. Thus, prebiotic supplementation plays an important role to rebuild immunity.
+ Use lemon juice to cleanse the body of toxins and mucus for 3 days.
+ Eat lightly as a big portion meal can cause shortness of breath by putting too much pressure on the stomach. Also, asthmatic patients tend to have lower levels of gastric hydrochloric acids.
+ Garlic is a natural antibiotic that helps to prevent lung infection.
+ Coffee and other caffeine-containing drinks seemed to help in reducing asthmatic outbreak as caffeine has a dilating effect on the bronchial airways.
+ Bee propolis can be used to soothe the mucous membranes.

Don'ts -

+ Avoid gas-producing foods, such as beans, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage and take a good enzyme complex. Gas can irritate an asthmatic condition by putting pressure on the diaphragm.
+ Stop cold drinks or ice cream as cold can shock the bronchial tubes into spasms.
+ Strong emotions and stress can trigger an asthma attack.
+ Avoid sensitive and additive foods.
+ Avoid using the aircondition and switch to fan instead. This is because when sensitive airway reacts to a trigger factor like cold and dry air, it tightens and becomes inflamed, causing coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Recommendation

Since there is no cure in asthma, minimise any effect by controlling the symptoms through:

-  reducing inflammation in the airways and excessive mucus production;
-  reducing sensitivity of allergens.

Remember, a compromised immune system is unable to handle asthma triggering assaults.

Source: http://www.medical-explorer.com/asthma.php?011; Prescription to Natural Healing

VIVA corner

VIVA products recommended to rev up immunity and prevent allergy and asthma:

VIVA Basic Essential Pack comprising Green Barley, Dailyguard, Vivashield, Floraguard to cleanse, balance, nourish and protect to create a solid foundation for a stronger and healthier immune system. VIVA Floraguard contains strong prebiotics and probiotics to support a healthy digestive system and strengthens the immune system. VIVASHIELD with potent antioxidants Vitamin A, C, E and Selenium combined.  A correlation has been established between the low blood levels of antioxidants and the frequency of asthmatic attacks.

2. VIVA Gingko Biloba helps to dilate the bronchiole to improve air flow to the lungs, thus relieve and prevent asthma attack.

3. VIVA C-Complex helps to improve allergy and asthmatic conditions by minimising the harmful effect of allergens.

4. VIVA Oxypower contains CoQ10 and antioxidant A,C,E to enable better cell oxygen utilisation.

5.  VIVA Omega3 reduces inflammation, swelling and pain.

Pneumonia can be FATAL

          

In Singapore, pneumonia is a leading cause of death and hospitalization of which the severity cannot be underestimated with most admittances made direct to the Intensive Card Unit.  Elderly patients can die from this disease due to overwhelming infection and multi-organ failure.

Do not confuse it with bronchitis, which is an inflammation of the breathing tube, resulting from infectious or non-infectious causes. However left unattended, it can develop into pneumonia.

Pneumonia is a more serious condition as it interferes with the normal exchange of gases within the lung, leading to low blood oxygen levels and impaired carbon dioxide removal from the body. Filled with stagnant fluids and pathogens, the air sacs in the lungs become inflamed.

 

Cause

 

The bacteria involved known as streptoccoccus pneumonia bacteria is present in the nose and throat without posing a threat.  However in an unhealthy individual, bacteria can be picked up through air droplets such as from cough, sneeze or through close contact with an infected person.

Other infectious agents like virus, fungus and mycoplasma can also cause pneumonia but not as dangerous as the bacterial pneumonia. Some examples are H1N1 virus, SAR virus, AIDS virus, tuberculosis bacteria and candida fungi that attack those with a weakened immune system.

Signs & symptoms

Once infected, the bacteria multiply quickly and infiltrate the air sacs in the lungs (either one or two lobes) causing inflammation. Filling with pus and mucus, oxygen is prevented from reaching the blood. Early symptoms include fever, persistent coughs, chest pains and breathlessness.

The patient’s condition can worsen dramatically in a couple of days. In critical cases, it can lead to death or severe disabilities such as brain damage and paralysis. On prolonged treatment, it can cause varying degrees of irreversible scarring and damage to the lungs.

+  Elderly people are more vulnerable to getting pneumonia because of the weakening of the body’s protective mechanism.  Coughing helps to expel germs from the lung but this response gets weaker with age. As a result, fluids or secretions trapped in their lungs cannot be easily expelled from the body. This is made worst for elderly patients who are bedridden. Lying flat limits the expansion of the chest wall and allows the lungs to collect more fluids and bacterial secretions.

+  As signs are not carefully observed and thus overlooked, early detection may not be possible.  Initial signs to look out for are confusion, lost of appetite, muscle aches, feeling lethargic or having urination problems.  Delayed action can cause lung inflammation and spell danger. If the lung tissue is destroyed, it is unable to absorb any oxygen and may need ventilator support aid to deliver high oxygen content to the stiffened lungs.  At this stage, the patient may complain of shortness of breath, chest pain and bad coughing.

+  The chance of survival from pneumonia resulting from respiratory failure or complications to other organs is only half. When the body is battling an infection, other organs may also suffer stress, due to blood poisoning or septic shock that can lead to multi-organ failure. There are instances of kidney disease and inflammation of the heart muscle may develop.

+  Risk of pneumonia rises for those with a weakened immune system, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV infection, seizure or stroke, kidney failure or allergies. Kids are not spared for that matter.

Precaution/treatment

+  Other than seeking help early, one can also prevent chest infections by having complete rest but stay active. Have plenty of fluids. Avoid processed foods and eat only fruits and vegetables eg. ginger, honey, garlic, figs, onion (exclude gas-producing vegs like broccoli and cauliflower). Also eat properly to avoid food lodged in lungs.

+  Once recognised symptoms are detected that do not go away after 48 hours, patients should undergo a chest  X-ray examination to determine if infected by the deadly bacteria. However, note that extensive testing can only reveal its cause in about 60% of all cases examined.

+  A vaccine is available against influenza as it may develop into pneumonia especially for those 65 years old and above.  As for treatment with antibiotics against the streptoccoccus pneumonia bacteria, the recent findings observed an increase in antibiotic resistance.  Not sure why Asia is reported to show the highest level of antibiotic resistance in the world?  You can only suspect that those friendly bacteria protecting your health is diminishing at an accelerated pace and is time to top up!

Recommendation

Under such tough condition:

-  the innate immune response is evaded;
-  interferon production is disturbed

recovery is far from easy. Arresting the failing condition is critical.

Source: Extract from The Straits Times, Mind Your Body, pg 12 (28^th Oct 2010)  & Prescription to Natural Healing

VIVA Corner

VIVA Biogarlic contains an important ingredient Allicin that is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and shows a great efficacy against respiratory infections by strengthening the T-cell and Macrophage, thus enhancing the bioactivity of natural killer cells.

VIVA Liquick Gingko helps to increase oxygen intake and eliminate toxins.

VIVAshield, a powerful 4 in 1 antioxidants enhances immunity and promotes repair of lung tissues.

VIVA Oxypower enhances cellular oxygen utilisation and supports the immune system’s detoxification of dangerous substances.

VIVA Germanium is a fast booster for the immunity, enhances the oxygen intake to the cells in the lungs and relieves pain for advanced sufferers.

VIVA Floraguard with its 5 strains of potent bacteria establishes a protective layer against pathogenic infection to prevent further outbreak. It also promotes healthy growth of natural killer cells.

VIVA Dailyguard is a powerful multi-vitamins to meet nutritional deficiency.

My nose is dripping again!

A study conducted by a pharmaceutical company showed about 1 out of 10 persons in Singapore suffering from sinusitis, an inflammation of the nasal sinuses. It is a frustrating experience for 20% of them seeking medication weekly.

An acute sinusitis is frequently caused by bacterial and viral infection eg. a common cold that lasts for a month but is not life-threatening. Kids are vulnerable to such attacks given their weak immunity. It can develop in them as a result of chronic infection of the adenoids and tonsils. In some cases, a dental infection that spreads from the tooth root to the maxillary sinus, inside the cheeks is also possible.

There are severe cases where the spread to the brain causes serious infection and abscess, leading to partial blindness. Sinus surgery has to be performed to drain the sinuses and pus from the affected area. The good news are – nasal sinus allergies tend to get better with age and is treatable.

Chronic sinusitis stretches beyond 2 months when it breaks out due to irritants like air pollution, emotional stress, smoking, and exposure to allergic substances. More severe chronic cases can adversely affect one’s quality of life, especially for those with a greater inborn allergic tendency with allergic rhinitis, nasal allergy, asthma and skin eczema co-exist in the same patient.

Structure/Causes

The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull (behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes) that are lined with mucus membranes to trap foreign particles. Another function of the sinuses is to regulate temperature and humidity of the air that we breathe in. Along the lining is hair-like fibres that clear mucus together with unwanted particles.

Healthy sinuses contain no bacteria or other germs as the mucus is able to drain out and air is able to circulate freely. They are the first line of defence in protecting the lungs against infection.

However, when the sinus openings become blocked or too much mucus builds up, bacteria and other germs can grow more easily. Sinusitis can occur from one of these conditions:

• The hair-like fibres do not work properly due to some medical conditions.
• Colds and allergies may cause too much mucus to be made or block the opening of the sinuses.
• A deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spur or nasal polyps may block the opening of the sinuses.

Our nasal and sinus passages are very narrow and excess mucus collected in the sinuses during a cold or allergy attack can lead to inflammation, blocking the proper drainage paths which most likely cause the flow direct to the throat or nostrils. This situation is aggravated for patients who are allergy-prone with swollen nasal turbinates. Pressure in the sinuses can increase and inflict pain.

Symptoms

Acute sinusitis usually follows a cold that does not improve, or one that worsens after a week of symptoms like:

+ fever
+ cough, often worst at night
+ aching on head, ears, teeth, face
+ difficulty in breathing through the nose and sore throat
+ loss of the sense of smell
+ tenderness over the forehead and cheekbones
+ bad breath

Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are the same as those of acute sinusitis, but tend to be milder and last longer than 12 weeks. For children, symptoms include:

• Cold or respiratory illness that has been improving and then begins to get worse
• High fever, along with a darkened nasal discharge, for at least 3 days
• Nasal discharge, with or without a cough, that has been present for more than 10 days and is not improving

Prevention

+ Stay healthy at all times
+ Seek medical advice if develop thick mucus, yellow-green discharge or facial pain or congestion
+ Avoid the allergens you know and control the environment to prevent such contacts
+ Do without airconditioning during your sleep if possible. If need to improve ventilation, use a fan or humidifier
+  Drink more water
+ Surgery may be recommended for those whose conditions cannot be alleviated by medication

Natural treatment

According to German researchers, horseradish naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do.

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001670/

VIVA corner

People with compromised immune systems are susceptible to sinusitis and other forms of allergies, some endangering to life. Taking good nutrients may go a long way in treating the condition.

+ VIVA Floraguard with abundant friendly bacteria is crucial for a healthy gastrointestinal tract, especially if antibiotics are applied and kill the good guys as well. It can also promote the growth of our natural killer cells to destroy pathogens.

+ VIVAshield, a combination of 4 potent antioxidants enhances the immune system, protects against cold, flu and other infections.

+ VIVA Dailyguard a strong multivitamins helps to improve overall health and assure proper nutrition.

+ VIVA Biogarlic provides check on bacterial and viral infection and acts as immune system stimulant.



Testimony

Ever since my childhood days, sinus was a problem bothering me so much.  My nose was constantly blocked and clogged badly with mucus especially in the morning causing discomfort and fatigue.   Regular visits to private specialists for special treatments was the only alternative but to no avail as only temporary relief was possible then.

In 2001 I was introduced to VIVA Life Science and decided to try out if it can be remedied. 3 products, namely Green Barley,

Lipoguard and Dailyguard were recommended to detox for better blood circulation and boost the immune system.

Miraculously they worked so well that barely 2 months my sinus was gone.  I continue to take Green Barley daily and suffer no relapse since then.  What a wonder!  No more visits to the nasal specialists and limited visits to doctors for general health problems.  As an additional benefit, my weight has remained consistent even when age catches up.  (hard to guess my age!)

Susan Tan (ID 70000652)

Avoid the airplane COLD

It is a common complaint: Fly on a crowded plane and back home with a cold. What is going on up there?

Airline carriers are formidable carriers of the common cold. According to the Journal of Environmental Health Research, a recent study indicates colds is 100 times more likely to be transmitted on a plane than during normal daily life on the ground.

 Causes

+ The most likely culprit is the extremely low cabin humidity caused by low humidity at high elevations. The final findings revealed that aircraft that actively re-circulated air actually showed slightly lower transmission rates than those that did not. Other studies have shown that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters on most jets today can capture 99.97% of bacterial and virus-carrying particles. However, when air circulation is shut down, for instance during long waits on the ground or for short periods when passengers are boarding or exiting, infections can spread like wildfire.

One well-known study in 1979 found that when a plane sat three hours with its engines off without air circulation, 72% of the 54 people on board got sick within two days. The flu strain they had was traced to one passenger.

+ Much of the danger comes from the direct or indirect contacts via mouths, noses and hands of passengers sitting nearby. Virus-laden droplets are expelled when the cold victim sneezes, cough or speak. The droplets may travel up to 20 feet in one sneeze, remain in the air for half an hour, be stirred up in dust.

In a contained environment the hot zone for exposure is generally two seats beside, in front of and behind you. Australian researchers tracing influenza transmission on long-haul flights in 2009 with passengers infected with the H1N1 flu strain, found that 2% of them had the disease during the flight and 5% came down within a week after landing. There is a 3.6% increased risk of contracting H1N1 if a passenger sat within two rows of someone who had symptoms in-flight and for post-flight disease, doubled to 7.7% for passengers seated in a two-seat hot zone.

+ Most commercial airlines fly in an elevation range of 30,000 to 35,000 feet, where humidity typically runs at 10% or lower. At very low levels of humidity, the "natural defense system" of mucus in our noses and throats dries up and is crippled, creating a much more tolerant environment for germs to infect us.

Important tips -

1. Stay hydrated. It turns out that drinking plenty of water will not only counter the overall dehydrating effects of air travel, which can lead to headaches, stomach problems, cramps, fatigue and more, but can actually fortify your pre-emptive natural immune mechanisms to function considerably better.

Choose plain water, hot drinks or fruit juices over caffeine and alcohol consumption that can actually dehydrate you. Sipping liquids regularly throughout the flight may be more effective than drinking a lot of water at one go before or during the flight to keep your protective mucous membranes from long dry spells. Nasal mists have been found to be very effective in keeping this system working in your nose too.

2. Keep your hands clean. Your hands are the most consistent point of first contact with cold, flu and other germs. It is a direct line from armrest/ handshake/seat back to fingers to fork to mouth to full-blown fever a few days later. Scientists report that the viruses that cause colds and flu can survive for hours on your skin or on objects such as armrests, TV remote control handsets, tray tables and other similar surfaces. However, the simple act of washing your hands with hot water and soap is a formidable rampart against this transfer of harmful microorganisms. At your convenience, wash your hands before any in-flight meals, and after your flight with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

3. Take your vitamins. For prevention, start taking a standard multivitamin few days before departure to avoid unpleasant encounters. Large doses of vitamin C is known to prevent colds, or reduce the severity or duration of symptoms.

4. Wearing a face mask. Some travelers have taken to wearing masks either to prevent infection, or when they themselves are already infected.

5. Change seats if you end up near a cougher, sneezer or someone who looks feverish. This may not work out on a full flight. Note that one sneeze can produce up to 30,000 droplets that can be propelled as far as six feet away.

6. Avoid exposing infants under one year particularly need to be protected and women who are more vulnerable just before their menstrual period.

Recommendation

Remember you are 113 times to be exact more exposed to airborne disease up there than at ground level. You may catch a cold up there and take time to recover by letting it runs its course even without medication. To avoid unnecessary trouble, why not take some strong multivitamins before going onboard the plane. Count yourself not so lucky if someone in the row carries a deadly virus that can be transmitted in an enclosed environment !

Source: http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/air-travel/avoiding-the-airplane-cold; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204058404577108420985863872.html

VIVA corner

Vivashield contains powerful antioxidants Vitamin A, C, E and selenium that protect the cells from oxidative damage and invasion by micro-organisms in the thin air up there. Basically, they scavenge harmful particles, thus inhibiting or slowing down their attack on cells.

On one instance, a friend told me ten of them went onboard a budget airline for a 3.5 hours flight. The air circulation was not good in the plane and someone must have passed the flu bug to all of them, except her who took vivashield before departure.

Stay Healthy WITHOUT Airconditioning

  

How many of us can do without airconditioning?  Not possible in a dry and humid climate like Singapore.  It is no longer a luxury but a necessity in our daily life whether in our working place or home.  In fact, majority of us know that airconditioning is bad for the health, and contributes to medical problems like cough, cold, asthma, sinus, dry skin and eyes but simply cannot live without it.

(1)  Respiratory infections

When exposed suddenly to cold and dry air, the lining of the nose becomes irritated and inflamed, and starts to produce mucus.  This nasal congestion problem can extend with mucus dripping into the throat and induce a cough to expel it.  However, if the irritant is not removed, bacteria moves in to thrive on the stagnant fluid.  Excessive amount can cause an infection. People with sensitive nose or nasal allergies are prone to this problem.

Asthma patients also experience attack in such an environment.  This happens when sensitive airways react to a trigger factor like cold and dry air by tightening and becoming inflamed, causing coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulties. Those sufferers should take their medications regularly to minimise the risk of irritation and symptoms.

Not forgetting that aircondition unit itself is a fertile ground for breeding mold and bacteria, such as legionella, responsible for fatal pneumonia.  Just by inhaling the mist of water vapour emitting from the aircon is good enough to introduce harmful bacteria into the body.  This is how the ‘sick building syndrome’ comes about when harmful bacteria get trapped into an aircon unit and travel far and wide in a building sharing a common aircon system spreading its contagious effect.

Advice is to service the airconditioning unit every 3 months, and apply a chemical wash or disinfect yearly.

(2)  Skin woes

Reduced humidity in an aircon space promotes drier skin as the dry air blowing out absorbs moisture from the skin.  The external irritants worsen certain skin conditions like dry skin, eczema and ichthyosis (dry and scaly).  Hence, prolonged exposure to dry air can result in faster degeneration of body cells, causing wrinkle formation and premature aging.  Oil secreted by the sebaceous glands that lubricates the surface of the skin and protects the moisture in the cells is ‘scraped off’ exposing them to the thin air resulting in evaporation.  This results in sagging cells losing the elasticity, radiance and plump-up features.

Advice is to apply moisturiser on the skin 2-3 times a day.

(3)  Dry eyes

Constant exposure to airconditioning leads to faster evaporation of tears, resulting in eye discomfort and fatigue, and blurring of vision.

Use artificial tear eye drops if your eyes are feeling dry.

(4)  Cost savings

Huge savings if you turned off the airconditioning.  Switching to an electric fan can save as much as 90% of the utility bill.  On extremely hot weather, you can turn on the aircon but use an air humidifier to make the air less dry.

Conclusion

For the betterment of our planet, conservation of energy is a prerogative for everyone.  We should help to reduce the amount of fossil fuels burnt to produce energy and the volume of greenhouses gases generated, including carbon dioxide, which are released during the burning process.

Source:  ST Mind your Body, Mar 31, 2011

VIVA corner

Taking VIVAShield helps to strengthen and protect the skin tissue as it contains potent antioxidants that neutralises free radicals.

VIVA Omega 3 helps to replace the oil on the skin lost from the damage caused by long exposure to dry air.

VIVA Refresh detoxifying toner and Rejuvenate Mask can help to restore the healthy tone to the damaged skin by adding moisture, coenzyme 10 and collagen to the hungry and thirsty cells.