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Avoid the “flu” this season, with a nose warmer
You want to ensure the hairs in your nares, are fox trotting……………..so when a virus particle attempts a landing, it is quickly swept up and out of your lung.
So what makes flu seasonal ?
There are lots of theories, all of which have merit……
The vitamin D is missing theory
The one thing that characterizes winter, is less sun. It may still shine brightly everyday, but it has no real power to warm things up. Since we depend on the sun’s power, to turn the cholesterol in our skin, into vitamin D – this leaves us with impaired vitamin D production.
No vitamin D production, leads to vitamin D supply problems.
Specifically in the lungs.
In the lungs, vitamin D helps us to produce “antibiotics”, that snuff out unwanted respiratory tract visitors. Low vitamin D leaves our defences down – a situation respiratory pathogens readily exploit.
Aaaaa choo !
It’s other people’s fault
Colder weather sends up indoors.
Let’s be honest, it’s absolutely no fun to have a picnic lunch, when an ice cold wind is nipping at your fingers, nose and other exposed bits.
Unfortunately, when you move indoors to escape the cold, so does everyone else.
So, we suddenly find ourselves sharing our air, with lots of others.
Now, it does have a plus side, the more people breathing the same air, the warmer it gets. The catch, if one of the people breathing the air is also shedding virus……………our lungs are toast.
Aaaaa choo !
The real reason
It’s physics.
A research group from Emory University have demonstrated, the number one reason, you’re catching colds in winter…….. is the environmental conditions. Specifically, in winter time two environmental conditions happen simultaneously – temperatures are cooler and the air is dryer.
This combination makes for virus “heaven”.
Wet air and wet blankets
In order to move from one “victim” to the next – virus particles need to get and stay air borne.
When air is drier, it is a lot easier, to get a lift off.
Think about it…..
A cough or splutter, is by it’s very nature a rather wet experience. If you’re a virus particle trapped in a ball of spit, this is great, you’re protected from drying out.
But there is a catch, you’re a DEAD WEIGHT.
Your trajectory is ……DOWN, which leaves you, hob knobbing with the shoes and stones on the ground. Since there are no soft warm human cells to move into, you’re a gonna !
Ouch !
Dry air allows for drifting
If on the other hand, you’re expelled into dry air, your future is a lot brighter.
The dry air, will facilitate a little evaporation………
Now instead of being a huge lump of a particle, weighing in at more than 20 um in diameter, you’re a light weight particle, less than 5 um. You can flit about, ride the currents, until you meet a warm pair of lungs.
And then, you invite yourself round for dinner……..
Since when the weather is cold, people are more social, your visit is far more likely to be a welcoming experience.
Sticking around for dinner
The cells lining the respiratory tract are always hopping and a bopping to the beat. Each cell comes equipped with a multitude of tiny little hairs, cilia, which waft up and down.
The beat is set by the temperature.
When it’s hot, the cilia like to do the fox trot, move rather quickly. When it’s cold, the movement is more like a slow waltz. The tempo impacts viral visitors….
When cilia are fox trotting, a virus particle landing is quickly swept up and out of the lung. Oops…. no dinner ! But, in colder weather, the slow pace, allows the virus to settle down inside one of the cells.
Dinner time.
Aaaaa choo !
Stop the invasions
So to avoid “getting the flu” this winter season, you need to concentrate on “controlling” your environment.
Step 1
You want to ensure the hairs in your nares, are fox trotting……………..by making the air WARMER.
But, you must ensure the warmer air, is not dryer air !
Heaters are able to warm the air, but they also dry the air out. Oops.
Step 2
If you can, add a humidifier to that heater.
The humidifier, makes the environment, less risky.
Unfortunately, it only works when you’re IN THE ROOM. And you will have to leave the room – SOMETIME !
Bathroom breaks are a biological necessity.
So is going to work……….
A simpler option
Which will work anywhere…..
Keep the heater off and keep your nose warm.
NOTE : This strategy has a few added benefits – it’s environmentally friendly, you’ll save on your electricity bill and it will help you keep slim this winter.
Further reading
Go blue this winter to be skinny and green
The extra weight gained during winter is attributed to us eating lots and moving little, as we huddle inside but lack of huddling may be the actual problem.
Don’t monkey around with your respiratory health
Apes, monkeys and humans all use a vitamin D bug spray to keep their airways free of germs so don’t monkey around load up with vitamin D to beat colds and flu
You need to seek out coughing and sneezing displays from a distance
Your immune system is taking one look at the display of germ spewing humans and quite literally freaking out, which leaves you better prepared for an invasion.