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Frequent Illness services offered in Portland, OR
Getting sick repeatedly - whether you are a parent of young children cycling through
every bug that comes home from school, an adult catching every cold that goes around,
or someone whose illnesses linger far longer than they should - is a sign that immune
resilience deserves attention. Naturopathic physicians Rebecca Sand ND and Elizabeth
Emrick ND at Open Wellness PDX investigate the root causes of poor immune
resilience and build individualized plans to restore immune strength. Call the Portland
office, request a telehealth visit, or book online.
Frequent Illness Q&A
Why do some people get sick more often or recover more slowly?
Frequent illness is almost always a sign of immune system dysregulation rather than just bad luck. The immune system depends on adequate nutrient status, a healthy gut microbiome, balanced stress hormones, good sleep, and a well-regulated inflammatory response to function at its best. When any of these foundations are compromised, immune resilience suffers.
This is particularly common in parents of young children - who are exposed to more pathogens, sleep less, and often deplete their own nutrient stores while caring for others. It is also common in people under chronic stress, those with gut health issues, and those with unrecognized nutrient deficiencies. Signs that immune resilience needs support include catching every illness that goes around, slow or prolonged recovery, frequent sinus infections or respiratory illness, recurrent UTIs or yeast infections, cold sores that flare with stress, and a general sense of being run down.
How does naturopathic medicine strengthen immune resilience?
At Open Wellness PDX, Dr. Sand and Dr. Emrick use advanced lab testing - including nutrient levels, inflammatory markers, and hormone assessment - to identify the specific factors compromising immune function. Treatment may include targeted immune supporting nutrients including vitamin D, zinc, vitamin C, elderberry, and medicinal mushrooms; amino acid support; nutrient optimization; gut microbiome restoration; adrenal and cortisol support; sleep optimization; and dietary anti-inflammatory strategies. For parents navigating frequent childhood illness in their own households, treatment also addresses the realistic constraints of that season of life.
To get started, call 503-770-0670, request a telehealth visit, or book online.