The human body is exposed to bugs such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites daily. What we want to do is make sure the first lines of defense are up and healthy, and then look at the other lines of defense to make sure all is well before problems arise. The skin and mucous membranes are the first major lines of defense and they do a very good job at keeping unwanted bugs out. When the skin is broken by a cut or a scrape there is some bleeding and swelling which is the body’s way of getting the immune system cells there in a hurry. That is a second line of defense. The cut stops bleeding and scabs over quickly in a healthy person so that the skin can again protect us. The swelling will go down after any outside bugs are eliminated and the immune system has done its job.

Along with the skin, we also have mucus in the mouth, nose, throat, lungs, and digestive tract. This mucus provides a washing action to the areas it covers. It contains enzymes that can break down the bugs when we are exposed, and it traps these bugs and escorts them out of the body. This is why when we are sick, there is usually a stuffy nose or phlegm in the throat. The body is trying to push the bug out and use this part of the immune system (mucus) to help. So one easy way to help your body when you are sick is to blow your nose and help push those bugs held in the mucus out of the body. Also, different types of mucus means different bugs are working on you. Many times when we see a clear fluid with a runny nose it can be viral or fungal. In our office we often see cold symptoms that are caused by fungal problems. We use different immune support for depending on the bug. This is why it is important to identify what is causing the symptoms so we can identify what will fix it. Is it viral or fungal?

In the throat we have the tonsils and adenoids, which help fight any bugs inhaled or swallowed. The tonsils and adenoids are the first part of the lymphatic system that these bugs face, but not the last. The lymphatic system is a huge filter throughout the body that separates the good nutrients from the waste and the bugs that need to be eliminated. There are two drains that take the fluid from the lymphatic system and dump it into the blood so that it can be taken to the liver or lungs for detoxification and elimination. The lymph from the entire lower body and the left side of the upper body empties into a vein just below the collar bone (clavicle) on the left side. The lymph from the head and right side of the upper body empties into a vein under the right collar bone. With many of our patients who have stuffy heads or can’t seem to kick a bug, we use a lymphatic drainage technique that checks they body’s ability to drain into these veins correctly. Often, there is a problem with proper drainage, and when this is cleared the head or and lymphatic system can drain correctly and eliminate the bug. Once the lymphatic fluid is in the blood, it is able to be processed and disposed of appropriately.