Sick of Being Sick All the Time

Q: I get sick a lot throughout the year. I’m sick of it. It ranges. I get strep throat at least once a year. I just got over two sinus infections in a row. It has only been like three months and I’m sick! Not sure. Could be a cold. I think it’s my immune system. What do you think? Also, please give me some ideas of what I could do to help myself.

A: Goodness! It sounds like you are not doing something right, that’s for sure! However, the fact that you’ve noticed this trend is a sure sign that you are on the path to finding a solution.

People severely underestimate the role that stress, diet and exercise play in keeping our immune systems functioning properly. In order for your body to take care of you, you have to take care of your body.

My prescription? Take a look at some of this additional reading and learn what you can do to boost your immune system

Learn more:
6 Ways to Boost Your Immune System
Everything You Need to Know to Boost Your Health and Prevent Disease

Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.

Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.

Read more: Health, cold, flu, immune system, sick

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Danuta W.

12:41AM PDT on May 4, 2012

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Quanta K.

10:35PM PDT on May 3, 2012

Thanks.

Dale O.

10:11PM PDT on May 3, 2012

Interesting but one can also add getting quality sleep also helps and affects health if it is a problem.

While getting flu shots on a regular basis may have helped some not get sick, I have had all the regulation shots but will still get the odd cold, usually few but did get a nasty version this year! Have not had a mega cold like that in years, forgot that they were out there!

Will never go veggie or vegan, some of my veggie friends who follow strict veggie diets and do all the nutrition home work and taking all their supplements/vitamins are as sick as a dog. I still eat meat, small portions and try and increase my veggies, quinoa and other sources of foods. Was somewhat saddened when seeing Dr. Mercola stating that wheat and some grains could adversely affect mental health in his opinion. I love whole grains and wheat! Especially kasha or buckwheat groats, so very yummy and tasty!

The neti pot is helpful, especially with allergies - mine being tree pollen of all things along with grass pollen!

Brian M.

9:13AM PST on Feb 8, 2012

I used to get sinus infections quite regularly. Eight months ago, I started routinely using a neti pot to flush my nasal passages with saline solution. I have only gotten one infection in all this time and it was during the holidays...when I forgot to use my neti pot for a few weeks.

Michele W.

5:11AM PDT on Sep 25, 2011

Thank you

Melinda offline K.

4:29AM PDT on Sep 25, 2011

thanks!

Christine U.

1:07PM PDT on Jul 13, 2011

It is truly wonderful to see that more and more website are touting the benefits of boosting one's immune system to maintain good health. People are literally sick of being sick and as we all know, there is not a drug out there that can boost your immune system. Never has been, never will! The only person responsible for our ills is us! Excellent website!

Robert O.

3:53PM PDT on Jul 8, 2011

Val G.