Fever
Naturopathic travel and first aid essentials
03/Jul/12 10:39 AM Filed in: Travel
by Kate Whimster, BCom, MIFHI, ND
Over years of travelling both locally (camping, hiking) and to far-off places like India and Nicaragua I’ve developed a list of essential travel and first-aid items for naturopathic treatment on the go.
The first rule is that you truly will never know what you will need, so BE PREPARED! I’ve treated cuts, scrapes, diarrhea, vomiting, flu, ear infections, bumps, bruises, sprains, strains, fractures, viruses, bacteria, dehydration, jet lag, motion sickness, anxiety attacks, bug bites, and lots more in myself and others using the things I’ve listed below.
I also have been able to treat myself to avoid major illness (and use of antibiotics) while travelling while most people around me were sick (sometimes extremely sick). I credit this partially to my hardy type O immune system but also to my efforts to maintain my health and prevent illness while I travel.
For daily use:
I also have a list of homeopathic remedies for acute and first aid use to treat most minor illnesses and injuries. These include:
Over years of travelling both locally (camping, hiking) and to far-off places like India and Nicaragua I’ve developed a list of essential travel and first-aid items for naturopathic treatment on the go.
The first rule is that you truly will never know what you will need, so BE PREPARED! I’ve treated cuts, scrapes, diarrhea, vomiting, flu, ear infections, bumps, bruises, sprains, strains, fractures, viruses, bacteria, dehydration, jet lag, motion sickness, anxiety attacks, bug bites, and lots more in myself and others using the things I’ve listed below.
I also have been able to treat myself to avoid major illness (and use of antibiotics) while travelling while most people around me were sick (sometimes extremely sick). I credit this partially to my hardy type O immune system but also to my efforts to maintain my health and prevent illness while I travel.
For daily use:
- Sea salt: Add a pinch to your water bottle to prevent dehydration and electrolyte loss in hot climates
- Probiotics: Use daily to prevent digestive upset while travelling - I usually use Polyflora (type O for me) since it does not need to be refrigerated and I’ve never had an issue
- Deflect (type O for me): I use this when I eat out or while travelling to protect my digestion from foods not right for my blood type and just for general digestive support
- Digestive enzymes: Take with meals to prevent digestive upset (I’ve never used these, but I think for many people it is a good idea)
- Greens powder/protein powder: Handy for extra nutrition while travelling and in case you miss meals
- Natural electrolyte drink: For more serious fluid loss from diarrhea, vomiting, heat stroke, excessive sweating - if you can’t find every ingredient, that’s OK, just do your best
- Peppermint, ginger, chamomile teas: To sooth an upset stomach, frayed nerves, aid sleep and relaxation
- Tea tree oil: For cuts, scrapes, wounds to prevention infection - once, in a pinch, I put this in my ear and it worked to stop a painful ear infection (although I don’t recommend this use!)
- Oregano oil: For sore throats, colds/flus, infections
- Calendula cream: For shallow/superficial cuts, scrapes, and rashes (don’t use on deep, fresh, or open wounds)
- Grapefruit seed extract (GSE): To prevent or treat digestive upsets like vomiting and diarrhea - follow instructions on the bottle
- Aloe vera gel: For sunburn and minor cuts/scrapes
- Apis gel: For bug bites
- Traumeel cream and/or tablets: For bumps, bruises, sore muscles, etc
- Traumeel ear drops: For any ear issues (pain, infection, itch) - I’ve never actually used these but seems like a great idea and they come in single-dose ampules
- Oculoheel eye drops: For any eye issues (allergies, itch, dryness, fatigue) - love these and they come in single-dose ampules
- No Jet Lag: Great product to prevent jet lag - it really works!
- Melatonin: As a sleep aid and to treat or prevent jet lag (although I have always used No Jet Lag)
- Rescue Remedy: Use for anxiety, emotional upset, nervousness, panic attacks, shock, trauma - I like the spray
I also have a list of homeopathic remedies for acute and first aid use to treat most minor illnesses and injuries. These include:
- Fevers, cold & flu, infections
- Frostbite
- Bug bites
- Bruises, strains/sprains, fractures
- Food poisoning
- Diarrhea, constipation
- Vomiting
- Pain
- Burns (sunburn and burns from heat)
- Jet lag
- Motion sickness
- Altitude sickness
- Sunstroke
- Wounds
- Poison ivy
- Hangover
Comments
Give me fever
by Kate Whimster, BCom, MIFHI, ND
I just read this article called “Lifting a veil of fear to see the benefits of fever” and I had to share it. This is a hot topic (excuse the pun!) among parents and healthcare providers that, despite logic, evidence, and experience, is still widely misunderstood.
Key messages:
The article cites the following research:
“Fever phobia: misconceptions of parents about fevers”
“Fever phobia revisited: have parental misconceptions about fever changed in 20 years?”
I also found a study called “Pediatric emergency department nurses' perspectives on fever in children” which concluded that “fever phobia and inconsistent treatment approaches occur among experienced pediatric emergency registered nurses. These phobias and inconsistencies subsequently could be conveyed to parents.” So it’s not just parents who are confused! Healthcare providers are perpetuating this misconception through ignorance: “‘Doctors are part of the problem,’ Schmitt said. Some of the phobia comes from doctors and nurses, he said, ‘doctors and nurses who weren’t taught about fever and all the wondrous things fever does in the animal kingdom.’”
I think another major reason that parents fear fever so much is that they are far too influenced by the sheer number and force of advertisements for medication to suppress fevers in children. I think I see at least one ad daily for children’s Tylenol or Advil these days - all sending a clear message that fever is not OK and you must medicate!
So what is a worried parent to do?
I just read this article called “Lifting a veil of fear to see the benefits of fever” and I had to share it. This is a hot topic (excuse the pun!) among parents and healthcare providers that, despite logic, evidence, and experience, is still widely misunderstood.
Key messages:
- Fever is a signal that the immune system is working. Fever is actually a useful tool of the immune system that helps your body fight infection.
- There is a widely held misconception that fevers are dangerous. “In fact, fever does not harm the brain or the body, though it does increase the need for fluids. Even untreated, fevers rarely rise higher than 104 or 105 degrees.”
- Despite ongoing efforts to educate parents, fever remains a major concern and causes a lot of panic.
The article cites the following research:
“Fever phobia: misconceptions of parents about fevers”
“Fever phobia revisited: have parental misconceptions about fever changed in 20 years?”
I also found a study called “Pediatric emergency department nurses' perspectives on fever in children” which concluded that “fever phobia and inconsistent treatment approaches occur among experienced pediatric emergency registered nurses. These phobias and inconsistencies subsequently could be conveyed to parents.” So it’s not just parents who are confused! Healthcare providers are perpetuating this misconception through ignorance: “‘Doctors are part of the problem,’ Schmitt said. Some of the phobia comes from doctors and nurses, he said, ‘doctors and nurses who weren’t taught about fever and all the wondrous things fever does in the animal kingdom.’”
I think another major reason that parents fear fever so much is that they are far too influenced by the sheer number and force of advertisements for medication to suppress fevers in children. I think I see at least one ad daily for children’s Tylenol or Advil these days - all sending a clear message that fever is not OK and you must medicate!
So what is a worried parent to do?
- Remember that the body is designed to heal itself. Symptoms (including fever) are part of this process, so be careful to support the body rather than suppress.
- Equip yourself to understand and manage illness at home where appropriate. This also means knowing when to seek professional help! A naturopathic doctor is a vital part of learning about your health and can equip you to take responsibility.
- Don’t seek medical advice from advertisements! Go to those who are educated and trained to address your issue, and always think critically about advice you receive.
