How To Protect Yourself From Swine Flu
We spoke to Dr. Stuart Fischer, M.D. Who refers to himself as a Wellness Expert. He has had decades of experience in internal medicine at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y.. He was an attending physician in the emergency room at Cabrini Medical Center in Manhattan and he also is an expert in obesity.
Dr. Fischer's tips on getting your family healthy now by focusing on a positive, proactive lifestyle could be a key to avoiding Swine Flu, and the flu in the near future. Here are Dr. Fischer's top tips:
LOSE THE EXTRA POUNDS:
People who are overweight or obese (2/3 of the population) have other illnesses that compromise their immunity and lung function. Obesity has been linked to everything from asthma, sleep apnea, certain types of cancer and diabetes. For example, with sleep apnea you trap bacteria and viruses inside your lungs, further increasing the risk of infection.
CARDIOVASCULAR EXERCISE:
When you do cardiovascular exercise such as running, swimming, bicycling or fast walking you're cleaning out your lungs and removing bacteria. Right now there is swine flu on your skin and in your lungs not doing anything. You get sick when there is a lot of it or if it gets trapped. So take a jog and get rid of it!
STEAM ROOMS:
Steam rooms also assist in cleaning out your lungs. The moist air from the steam can scoop out stagnant secretions from the air shafts, secretions that may have swine flu present in them. In addition to the mist, it's the heat in the steam room that helps to liquefy them so they can come out of your lungs. Many gyms have steam rooms, so take advantage of them.
EAT WELL:
Remember to incorporate foods with rich nutritional content like fresh fish, vegetables, and grains into help keep your immune system strong and fight off infections. Get your kids involved so their eating well on their own and at school. Go shopping and explain what foods are good and what are bad.
SLEEP:
Getting an appropriate amount of sleep can help to keep you healthy and happy. Currently, the American Medical Association recommends 8 hours of sleep a night. However, only a small portion of the population sleeps that much. Figuring out how to get those extra hours will not only help you deal with stress, it can also keep you healthy.
BIOGRAPHY
Stuart Fischer, M.D. has decades of experience in internal medicine, emergency medicine and nutrition. He is also author of the acclaimed book The Park Avenue Diet. Currently he is focusing on combating the obesity epidemic, which he considers the greatest threat to the health and happiness of the upcoming generation, through his work at The Park Avenue Diet Center in New York City.
. He also worked with the late Dr. Robert Atkins as the associate medical director of The Atkins Center. Dr. Fischer's expertise in alternative medicine, nutrition and weight loss is complemented by his strong, traditional hospital-based education. For more information on Dr. Fischer and the celebrity consultants, please go to: www.parkavenuediet.com.
