infection Archives - Damron Chiropractic & Wellness

Bacteria surrounds us both inside and out. To minimize our exposure to it we know we should wash our hands, cook food properly, rinse produce, and not share a drink. Yet, despite our best efforts, bacteria does find its ways into our bodies. Helicobacter pylori, or H pylori as it is commonly called, is a bacteria that resides in our stomach. This bacteria was discovered in 1982 by Australian scientists, Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, as they conducted research on patients who suffered from gastritis and ulcers. While bacteria was known to inhabit the stomach, it was believed that it came about from contaminated food. Not so.

H pylori is found in more than half of the world’s population; however, a vast majority never experience any symptoms or complications. However, how would you know if you were suffering from this type of bacterial infection? Below are several symptoms associated with an H pylori infection:

Bloating
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Frequent burping
Abdominal pain that becomes worse when your stomach is empty
Weight loss
An ache or burning in your abdomen

To determine if you have an infection, a simple stool test can provide the answers. Unfortunately, most medical doctors will prescribe antibiotics which destroy the delicate balance of the gut. They will also be given prescription acid reducers because of the heartburn. This, too, is a problem, as it creates an environment that allows the H pylori to thrive. At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW), after conducting the stool test, a course of natural/herbal supplements is recommended to help kill the bacteria.

In addition to an infection, studies are correlating H pylori with an increased chance of developing ulcers, gastritis, and even cancer. A recent study also found a connection with the heart condition atrial fibrillation, or AF. This disorder affects over 2 million Americans and causes the chambers of the heart to flutter or quiver rather than beat. Blood then pools in the chamber, increasing the potential for clots to develop. If the clot finds itself lodged in a brain artery, a stroke can occur. In this particular study, individuals were 20 times more likely to show levels of H pylori.

The arrival of autumn brings with it the annual advertising campaign for flu shots. Walk into most pharmacies and grocery stores and the signage is everywhere. It seems incredibly easy to get the vaccine to protect yourself from the dreaded flu. With such a preponderance of ads, we believe it is a necessity in order to stay healthy during flu season. And that is the intention behind the campaign – we need it! However, the reality we find, if we dig a little, tells us that we may want to skip the flu shot.

So, what is this reality as it relates to the flu vaccine?

On average, approximately 5%-20% of the U.S. population get the flu each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Statistics on those who receive the vaccine, but do not get the flu, are only high when the “match” between the vaccine and the circulating strains is close. This means if a statistic reads “70-90% of people 65 and younger who receive the vaccination don’t get the flu” that the vaccine actually matched the particular strain of flu that year. Every year researchers make a prediction as to what strain will arrive during the flue season. Yes, that’s right, a prediction. So what happens if the researchers are wrong? That 70-90% drops substantially. In fact, last year the CDC was wrong in predicting the flu strain. It was only 23% effective, at best.

The flu vaccinations still contain mercury, a preservative used to prevent contamination, which has been linked to autism, neuro-development disorders and heart disease.

There are better ways to protect yourself against the flu that does not require a vaccination.

Our goal in life is to remain healthy, so we can fully enjoy each stage of our life. If we are healthy, then our body is able to do its job and prevent illness. Protecting ourselves from getting the flu, without a vaccination, simply means doing the things that keep our body working as it should. Things like:

Getting plenty of sleep each night.
Staying fit with regular exercise.
Ensuring our body receives the proper nutrition each day.
Managing the stress in our lives.

This healthy approach keeps our foundation strong so our body can fight infection and disease. So the next time you see a sign or advertisement for the flu shot, continue on and instead provide your body with the resources it needs to keep you well.

Health Hazards with H Pylori

Skip the Flu Shot

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