Were you unlucky to catch the flu? Maybe, but there is no time for that now. Kids won’t wait, chores are piling up and when you get back to your job, the pile is going to bigger not smaller.
The first priority is to sleep as much as you can. You heal, when you sleep. But before you go and crawl into your bed, we need to put a game plan together for you to get your immune system tip top a.s.a.p.!
“Starve a fever, feed a cold”
Fever or no fever. Fever is usually indicating that you have a virus, which normally means you have a lower appetite or you are experiencing nausea and you don’t want to eat at all. In this case your immune system is kicking into high gear to fight the infection and your body is exactly ready to handle a lot of food. In this situation, you want to stick to broths, vegetable soups and plenty of liquids. You are likely going to be losing water through sweat when having a fever, so it’s important to stay well hydrated.
No fever but you feel stuffy with a runny nose, maybe even coughing. Likely you have a head cold and you want to feed your body with lots of antimicrobial foods. The best ones to consider are garlic and onions. In the meantime, avoid sugar, alcohol and simple carbohydrates like bread and crackers. Did you know that elevating your blood glucose with a high glycemic index foods can knock your immune system out for 6-8 hours? Ever wonder why lots of kids get sick right after Halloween?
Last word about a fever. If you have a high fever, above 38.5oC /101oF (104 oF for kids), that persists, or you are experiencing severe symptoms (i.e. difficulty breathing) go to the emergency room!
Do not suppress a fever which is less than 38.5oC /101oF with medication, a “normal’ fever helps circulating lymphocytes create a 10 fold in IFN-gamma activity, essential for fighting viruses! Also, acetaminophen reduces your natural antioxidant mechanism, glutathione, which is here to help protect you. Let the fever run its course!
Naturopathic Doctors can offer a number of preventative and acute care remedies and home self care strategies such as steam inhalations for congestion, glutathione nebulizer for coughs, wet socks for sinus headaches and contrast showers to boost the immune system. If you want to know more about these strategies and you want to take action, we are more than ready to help!
Dr. Derek Cook
Contact Healthflow Family Wellness today to book in for a free 15 minute ‘meet and greet’ with Dr. Derek Cook to discuss preventative ways to prepare yourself for good health and well being!
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