Chest infection

If it helps, in this thread:

... only starting in post #23 I realised I had a chest infection, and there's advice from various people after that.

All the best,

V

Thanks for your reply. It is interesting to know that vitamin D3 may help.

I would say it's not so much that vitamin D may help, it's more that a deficiency plays havoc with the immune system. And deficient you are, if you live in Britain and aren't taking active steps to do something about it.

Dear Michael

Another approach is to help strengthen your lungs. I have had a number of chest problems over the years, and I know how debilitating they are.

First of all, get plenty of fresh air - go for short walks in the middle of the day when there is proper daylight. This helps boost immunity in general as well as helping improve lung capacity. Your body can only 'manufacture' vitamin D if you get sufficient daylight, and in our climate this is difficult in the winter months. Make a real effort to get out whenever you can, and when you feel well enough, walk briskly and try climbing a hill or two. Let your fitness and your lung capacity build up again gradually.

Secondly, try some 'yogic' techniques to help improve your intake of pure air. Lie down in a relaxed position and breathe slowly into the diaphragm. Take the air right down, hold for a second, then breathe out slowly. Imagine a white light coming into your respiratory system as you breathe in, beaming down into the lungs, strengthening and healing them. As you breathe out, visualise the toxins and stale aire leaving the lungs, cleansing the whole body. Thank your lungs, your bronchi, your whole respiratory system for working to their optimum capacity. When you do this, make sure you won't be disturbed - and open a window!

I always find essential oils helpful for any condition. Try putting a couple of drops of lavender oil in your bath, or pop some eucalyptus oil in a diffuser or burner.

Remember to keep a good balance in your diet - sometimes supplementing one 'lacking' vitamin or mineral can create an imbalance elsewhere. Focus on eating plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. And get some sunshine - when you can.

Thank you for your information, it is difficult this time of year to get out when the weather is so bad. I am sorry to say that after my second lot of antibiotics I notice my mucas is still green. So it would seem that I still have infection. I dont know if to go back and see my GP, I am embarresed to go back, I have been so many times{ sorry about spelling}. I am still looking for some alternative therapy that may cure the infection. The other night I had been coughing during the night , and had been very wheezy. When I got up I noticed the sheets of the bed had marks of black on it. I dont know if this may have been blood.

Hi Michael

I'd go back to the GP now - take with you a sample of your sputum (a clean jam jar or similar will do, or even a tissue) and show him. It can be tested for blood there and then, or sent off to the lab. You've obviously had a type of antibiotic that is ineffective. Ask him for something different. A list of your symptoms on paper to hand to him wouldn't go amiss - it's so easy to forget them when you are being seen.

You will need the support of a good probiotic - 20-80 billion bacteria - from the chiller cabinet of a healthfood shop. You will need at least a couple of months of those to repopulate your gut. These bacteria support your immune system, as well as many other jobs, including crowding out pathogens, helping digest food better (so you can absorb it better), and producing some vitamins. They are vital to health and get knocked out by antibiotics.

You will also need a quality multivitamin/multimineral product, again from the healthfood shop - not cheapos from the chemist or supermarket. It should contain at least 50mg each of the B vitamins (mcg of B12) which are depleted rapidly when infection is present.

I would take 1000mg vitamin C with zinc three times a day to help support immune function. I'd also get some vitamin D3 drops and take 5000 iu daily.

Unless you are eating at least 3 portions of oily fish per week then fish or krill oil, 2-3 capsules to help reduce inflammation and support immune function.

And, I'd be taking Cat's Claw (an Amazonian herb) which is immune-boosting.

As far as food is concerned - a wholefood diet - no premade, processed foods. Lots of fruit and veg, lean meat (not too much) and oily fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon, herring), and not too much complex carbohydrates (ie no white flour, bread, pasta or rice - wholemeal only). Some of the fruit and veg should be raw - eg made into smoothies or juice, or salad. Nuts and seeds are helpful especially sprouted seeds and legumes - the sprouting process releases nutrients and enzymes - eat raw. Fresh garlic daily is good too - eat parsley if smell is a problem - capsules may be ineffective. Remember to drink plenty of water - 8 glasses a day sipped between meals to help flush out toxins and support metabolic processes in the body. Can be taken as teas - like ginger tea, lemon, spice, Rooibos, herb teas, etc.

Eucalyptus or olbas oil in a diffuser would help with breathing - or put into a bowl of boiling water and breathed as steam under a towel can be very helpful in releasing chesty contents. Old fashioned way I know!

Hope you start to feel better soon.

Thank you Caroline. I am taking 1000mg of vitamin c per day. At one stage 4grams per day. I am also taking a probiotic 1 billion active cultures, with bifidus digestive care. [/IAlso Omega 3 fish oil 2x 1000mg and 2x 1000mg of garlic oil. However I will try to take what you have advised. Thanks once again for your advice.