11/10/2022
It’s cold and flu season and we get this question a lot, “I am sick, what should I do?”
Our best tips:
1. Get rest - your body does most of its healing through sleep so put the to do list aside and let your body heal.
2. Symptom control -
- For pain: Ibuprofen helps with inflammation and muscle relaxation so it is typically our first recommendation for pain control due to illness. You can also add in Tylenol if the Ibuprofen isn’t cutting it. If you like going natural - arnica and epsom salt baths are great options. Add on a sore throat numbing spray and/or salt water gargles if you like. **Do not take ibuprofen if on blood thinners or if you have severe gastrointestinal conditions or heart failure**
- Congestion: Sudafed and Flonase nasal spray are my go to for opening the nasal passages. Steam and cool mist humidifiers are also helpful. An antihistamine can also help to dry up secretions. **If you have high blood pressure, Sudafed should be avoided but Coricidin HBP is a good replacement.**
- Stomach upset: let your stomach rest by laying off food and sugary beverages if you’re having problems keeping them down (or up). Take small sips of water or chew ice chips as tolerated. As you start to feel better, increase fluids and food as tolerated. As you introduce foods - look for healthy and whole food options to help replace nutrients that were lost through the illness and pass on greasy and sugary options.
- Body aches: epsom salt baths help with muscle relaxation as well as detoxing the body so with any illness or soreness - an epsom bath is always a good option.
3. Let your fever work - We get fevers for a reason. It is your bodies way of killing the invading “bug”. Your body will not allow a fever to go so high that it causes brain damage unless you have an abnormal cause of fever like overheating or a neurological condition. Start viewing it as a friend instead of a foe and let it be. Treat symptoms, not a fever. If your fever is over 104 and isn’t responding to ibuprofen or Tylenol, that is when you should seek help through the ER as the cause may be something more serious.
4. Hydrate - especially if you are losing fluids through stool or vomit, hydration is one of the most important factors in preventing a trip to the ER. If you are vomiting and can’t keep fluid down, take small sips when able or chew on ice chips. Add diluted gatorade or a homemade pedialyte to replace electrolytes if illness is severe.
5. Boost your Immune system - If you aren’t already, a multivitamin is a good place to start for replacing micronutrients that are lost and used when a person is ill. Supplements to increase when ill include Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, B vitamins, and fish oil. Immunitone Packets by Designs for Health are a great thing to have on hand for when illness strikes and includes all of these things except the fish oil. My favorite fish oil is by Metagenics.
**And of course, always call your primary care provider if you are acutely ill or if symptoms aren’t improving after 2 weeks. You should always go to the ER if there are signs of respiratory distress or if you have a severely stiff neck along with these symptoms.**
