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Note: Readers should always consult their physicians before taking any action or inaction.

1. Exercise = Weak, underused muscles use more oxygen (it becomes obvious—tasks and breathing become more difficult) = Use a treadmill and weights or just walk, it really does make a big difference. (Remember, check with your doctor first.)
2. Positive Attitude = Which can be hard to keep up at times (which is also okay—a good cry can do wonders once in while); take charge of your health, don’t let it take charge of you!
3. Minimize Stress, as best you can = Stress shows up in breathing and with ability to fight off infections; a lot of the time we have no control over stresses in our lives, but where we do have control, make changes to lessen the stress in your life.
4. Know Your Body = There are days when walking from one room to another is a problem; on those days, take it as a warning and slow down and get some rest (instead of getting the floors done, sit at the computer, read a book or watch TV—the floors will wait for a good breathing day).
5. Get Involved, with an activity that takes you mind off your disease = Be it a good trashy novel, learning to draw/paint, do needlepoint; whatever interests you.
6. Go into a Defensive Mode, at the first sign of an infection = Get lots of rest, eat well and, if necessary, get on an antibiotic early on (if you’re at all junky or have a fever, get on an antibiotic); I also do Prolastin at the first sign of an infection.!
7. Eat Small Meals, a large meal pushes the abdomen up against the diaphragm causing shortness of breath = Eat several small meals, several times during the day.
8. Try to Maintain Weight, at a place that is ideal for you = If weight is up, breathing is a struggle; if it starts to get too low, the immune system may be lowered.
9. Don’t Live in a Bubble = You have to live a quality life and have fun—you may get hit by a car tomorrow, who knows when it’s your time.
10. Flush out Your Sinuses = This is not the same thing as using a spray bottle of saline solution; that is for wetting a dry nose! To adequately flush your sinuses you have to use about two cups of warm saline solution once a day to keep those pesky little germs away.
11. Irrigate Nasal Passages, for sores in mouth and in the corners of lips (possibly caused by inhalers that using carmex doesn’t eliminate) =  use a nasal irrigator with a Waterpik; which is much easier and more efficient than a bulb syringe.
    How to irrigate your sinuses and a recipe for saline solution are at http://www.northcoast.com/~hoffmand/ydouche.htm.
    Page with nasal lavage products including the Grossan Sinus Irrigator Tip, cut and pasted from the following: Grossan Sinus Irrigator Tip Doctor developed and recommended as a gentle way to restore natural flow and improve nasal breathing. The irrigator combines the correct salt solution with perfect pulsating pressure of the Waterpik to gently and easily rinse the nose and sinuses (must be used with the Waterpik) around $20. http://www.onlineallergyrelief.com/html/sinusitis.html.
    A closer look at the Grossan Irrigator tip is at http://www.4yourallergy.com/sinus_instr.html.
    Another recipe for saline solution: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/otol/ped/irrigate.htm
12. Get Regular Dental Check-ups, especially before transplant = Inhalers can create some gum problems, even with the rinsing, and so forth. Get all or as much as possible done before transplant and then continue check-ups every six months. After transplant your body is so imune compromised you're already behind the eight ball even before the work begins. Also the mouth has some of the nastiest germs around, so get those dental check-ups.
13. Stay away from Sick People = If that means you have to retire, then do so as better health means much more than “more money.”
14. Use Disposable Masks = Use them anywhere germs might be dangerous in stores, in movie theaters, and even at home; also offer them to sick people when they visit (many times they simply don't come in once handed a mask).
15. Drink Lots of Liquids = Helps to “cough up” phlegm or whatever is causing coughing. (NOTE: Water is best according to Doctors. Helps flush the body.)
16. Avoid All “Smelly” Things, even pleasant odors = They can irritate and cause coughing and shortness of breath; eliminate pefumes or after shaves in the home and have someone else use all cleaning products that have odors.
17. Don’t Stay in any Hot/Humid Environment, even a stove = The closeness to boiling liquid can cause shortness of breath faster than anything else, even more than going outside on a hot and humid day; have someone else remove food from the oven.
18. Wear a Mask, or stay inside = When the outside air is dusty or full of spores of whatever sort, avoid direct contact.
19. Use Swiffers or a like product to dust with.
20. Stop and Rest = when tired.
21. Get up and Get Moving every Single Morning! = Lanquishing in bed in the mornings, even if retired, can worsen breathing and sap stamina.
22. Don’t Touch Your Face with Your Hands = They are germ carriers..
23. Get Flu Shot = every year; also pneumonia shot then booster shots as recommended by doctor..
24. Carry Waterless Handcleaner = Take Germ-x or Purell (whatever brand) and use it.
25. Avoid Direct Contact, especially when in public places = When entering a mall using the “wheelchair” button on the doors, activate it by pressing with a car key or gloves or wrist; try to avoid malls during flu season.
26. Work as Long as Possible, even if only part-time = Giving up work may be bad for your mental health, although others have found that by giving up their jobs, they have been less ill (because they have less contact with people and less chance of infection); telecomute if you can.
27. Get Work within Your Capacities, if your work gives up on you = Finding a job with less stress, shorter hours, and in the country or suburbs rather than in the city can help you keep working longer; check out retaining through local government sources.
28. Avoid Underground Railways, (e.g. tubes, subways, metros as far as possible) = There are too many underground flights of stairs and the air quality is bad; use taxis or buses instead, if you don’t like driving in large cities.
29. Supplement Good Food, by minerals if needed (remember to discuss with doctor before taking anything).= The winter before taking selenium and zinc tablets, I had five attacks of acute bronchitis; since taking them, I have averaged two and, one year, had none at all. For a mild to nonexistent anemia, also take iron tablets.
30. Avoid Extreme Cold Weather = Wrap up warm or stay indoors in cold weather.
31. Maintain Normal Social Life = Avoid germs, but don’t isolate yourself.
32. Rely on Chosen Higher Power, such a belief can be a good support system = Some studies indicate that churchgoers may be healthier than non-churchgoers; some advance social contact or relaxation as the reason for the difference.
33. Shopping really Early = Sick people are still in bed and parents haven’t drug their sick kids out.
34. Attend early Matinee Movies, before the theater gets full of people (especially sick, sneezing movie goers); have mask handy just in case as well as handcleaner after touching seat arm rests.
35. Use Cold Sore Ointment, such as Zovirax = Usually within 24 hours sores are still there but don’t hurt and within 48 hours they are gone. (AGAIN NOTE—Check with your doctor first.)

For additional suggestions or ideas that you feel might benefit Alphas to stay healthy, please forward same to Bill Poplett at aatbill@cox.net   Thank you.

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Updated May 16, 2005