Longer to recover from normal illness?

[ivinsfan]

Totally agree with the "germy" grandkids comment. I was working on a multi-year string of no colds until the oldest GK was a toddler,
My last 3 colds have come directly from the little ones.

 

[ulrichw]

Touché. Anecdotes are uncontrolled studies with an n of 1.

... and selection bias.

Sent from my XT1064 using Tapatalk

 

[MichaelB]

And at the end, people do not recover at all, and expire from pneumonia when they catch a cold.

This. The ability to heal declines with age, and ailments or illnesses that sideline a 20 year old are life-ending for a 70 year old. If this were not so the world would be full of 150 year olds (and our fear of running out of money would be much worse).

 

[MBAustin]

I know several people in their 50's-60's who have had very stubborn upper-respiratory infections this winter - both here in TX and in PA where I have family. Perhaps some extra-strong or newly mutated bugs out in circulation?

 

[Walt34]

I haven't noticed much if any difference (yet) in recovery times from colds. Small cuts and the like seem to take longer to heal though. But since I retired I have noticed a decrease in the number of colds.

And at Christmas DW and I both got colds from germy grandnieces. Love 'em anyway though.

 

[O2Bfree]

Some new research shows that fasting can boost the immune system:

https://news.usc.edu/63669/fasting-triggers-stem-cell-regeneration-of-damaged-old-immune-system/

"In the first evidence of a natural intervention triggering stem cell-based regeneration of an organ or system, a study in the June 5 issue of the Cell Stem Cell shows that cycles of prolonged fasting not only protect against immune system damage — a major side effect of chemotherapy — but also induce immune system regeneration, shifting stem cells from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal."

Might be a good thing to try a few times a year, or even do just a short fast, 24 hours, a couple times a month. Skipping breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner gives you about a 24-hour fast.

 

[Clone]

I am originally from the North Country. They used to joke that the really cold weather made people healthier.

But that was just a story. The really cold weather killed off the weak ones, and what was left, during the summer, didn't look too bad!

 

[audreyh1]

That's pretty much where our colds come from - the toddler aged nephews.

 

[Lakedog]

I haven't had a cold/flu since retiring but strains/sprains related to exercise may take a bit more time to recover fully. I feel like I am much healthier overall since I have more time for exercise and healthy meals.

 

[MichaelB]

Is it possible that we retired folk have fewer colds because, no longer working, we have less physical contact with other humans, therefore less potential to pick up an virus?

 

[Meadbh]

Is it possible that we retired folk have fewer colds because, no longer working, we have less physical contact with other humans, therefore less potential to pick up an virus?

+1000