It’s no secret that people are more prone to contract illnesses during the winter months. According to researchers, one of the main reasons for this is low humidity. Anyone who lives in the South knows humidity is lower when it’s cold outside, but how does cold air affect our immune system?
Low humidity causes three changes in the respiratory system. First, microscopic hair cells in the lining of the airway do not catch viral cells and mucus as effectively. Second, low humidity reduces the ability of the body to repair respiratory cells in the lungs damaged by viruses. Lastly, the immune system is unable to communicate properly via interferon cells. Interferon cells communicate threats of foreign bacteria or viruses. Without optimal communication from the nervous system, each of the mechanisms above will suffer even more. Thus, it’s important to remove Structural Shifts off the nervous system.
Relative humidity in the house should be around 50%. Relative humidity above 60% can increase the chances of mold in the house. If you use a humidifier, open the doors and turn on a ceiling fan in the morning. There are other factors in play when people get sick, but there is typically and increase in illnesses as the humidity drops. In addition to proper hand washing and coughing techniques, the use of humidifiers in schools, workplaces, and home could help.
Dr. Garrett is the founder of Core Chiropractic in Birmingham, AL. While most health care is focused on temporary relief, the staff at Core Chiropractic focus on creating solutions to a wide spectrum of health conditions. Connect with Dr. Garrett at (205) 440-2121 or via online form.
