don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

It's that season again, and we all ask ourselves the "to be or not to be" inoculated question. I realize the subject of the dreaded flu is a topic not normally associated with wellness. But, anything can be tied to wellness, with a little imagination, and not much of the latter is needed in this case. The flu, it is feared, will arrive early and stay late this year, and could be even more of a "scourge" than normal.

What is a wellness-oriented person to do? Well, four things come to my mind, besides being reminded to maintain normal skepticism about the utility of wonder drugs that will be introduced to combat this year's strain.

The first thing is become familiar with the symptoms of the flu in general and this one, in particular. Most already are acquainted with these symptoms, if not from personal experience, then from reading about the flu or seeing others suffer from it. It's hard to exercise and think about emotional intelligence, self-responsibility, relationship skills and other wellness dimensions when you have a fever, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, chills, weakness, runny nose, you're coughing and sneezing and, more likely than not, feeling mighty sorry for yourself and wondering why God did something like this to you after all you've done for him, her or it.

After symptom awareness, a second likely thing to do, if you are interested in wellness, is to inquire as to ways to prevent it in the future! While it is too late to get a flu shot when in the throes of flu misery, there is always next year to think about, and ways to protect others in your family/workplace and friendship circle who have not been laid low as yet. This is where all those precautions about washing hands frequently, being cautious about sharing air space, travel arrangements and so forth with just anybody and similar attentions come into play.

Everyone says, "Keep fingers out of mucous membranes like noses, eyes and mouths unless well washed." I just don't get that: It seems to me a good idea to keep your fingers out of mucous membranes anyway, especially the eyes, even if those fingers have been scrubbed to the bone!

A third thing is to learn which drugs to take, if any, if you get the flu or, if you are a parent and have to make that kind of decision for others. How can you improve the chances that the drugs you take or advise, such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or some of the others heavily advertised, are actually appropriate in your case or your child's, and how much to take, how often and so on -- for what anticipated benefits? As in other medical matters, independent research, second and third opinions and a host of medical self-care skills need to be brought into play.

Finally, it seems safe to assume that a wellness-oriented person will want to ensure that his/her immunity is as strong as possible prior to flu season by virtue of living a healthy lifestyle, thus strengthening that system to the extent possible against vulnerability to invasion by alien predatory viruses. All that said, let me mention a few specific strategies to protect against hostile pathogens that invade your cells. If life were fair, I suppose wellness mindsets, perspectives, attitudes or behaviors would do that but, alas, it is not. Thus, let's ponder what a wellness oriented person can do to prevent or minimize chances of falling prey to these evil agents of worseness.

For starters, it helps a lot not to be elderly, immune suppressed, or to work with those who are or who look after them! This advice is jejune, of course, as we all become elderly if we last long enough. Furthermore, it would be heartless (if taken seriously), so please don't take it seriously.

There are several compassionate strategies you can adopt for prevention purposes. You can, after determining that this year's bug is for real, get a flu shot, for example, though even if taken on time will only save you about a day's misery. You can take your vacation just before flu season arrives -- and go someplace where the incidence is rare -- like the moon. Few locations on Earth seem safe! You can drink lots of water -- who knows? Maybe there are occasions when you can flush those little buggers. And you can practice the usual good general hygiene that you should follow all the time, anyway, such as frequent (but non-compulsive!) hand washing. And don't forget that business about keeping your fingers out of your nose and mouth and other mucous membranes! And be careful about sharing articles like drinking containers, utensils, tooth brushes and other incredibly personal items, like body parts, unless you know who the other person is and where he/she has been -- and with whom!

If you do live a wellness lifestyle, practice all these prevention basics and STILL get the flu (or if you get it without having lived a wellness lifestyle and having practiced preventive techniques!), don't rely on New Age, quack remedies or drug-bearing doctors who have not taken the time to understand your unique situation. Also, don't try to get rid of it solely with homeopathic remedies or other alternative medicine modalities, chants, rain dances, supplements, voodoo rituals, witch doctors or prayers! See a doctor or qualified medical specialist who is willing to learn enough about you to make a wise recommendation. Then, if it will make you feel better, try adding whatever combination of homeopathic, alternative medicine modalities, chants, rain dances, supplements, voodoo rituals, witch doctors or prayers that appeal to you! Placebos are good medicine and the flu is nothing to sneeze at.

That's the end of my rant for today. If you know of other wellness strategies, let me know and I'll pass them along -- if I agree with them! Take care and stay well and always look on the bright side of life. Even if you get the flu.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the PHYSICAL DOMAIN under the skill area of adaptations and challenges. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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