Fever - Friend or Foe?
Do you have fever phobia? If so, you are not alone. Fevers are one of the top reasons for doctor's office visits and many a parent has spent an anxious night monitoring their sick child for any spike in temperature. But fear not! A fever is actually a sign that the immune system is functioning well and fighting infection. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics has finally gotten on board and agreed with what naturopathic doctors have been saying for years: Fever, however, is not the primary illness but is a physiologic mechanism that has beneficial effects in fighting infection. There is no evidence that fever itself worsens the course of an illness or that it causes long-term neurologic complications. Thus, the primary goal of treating the febrile child should be to improve the child's overall comfort rather than focus on the normalization of body temperature.
A fever stimulates the activity of the immune system, encourages white blood cell activity and can kill off certain bacteria and viruses. What's not to love?
Confused about what to do with your feverish child? Consider the following guidelines:
1. Treat the child, not the number - A child who is happily playing with a 103 degree fever is probably fine, while the lethargic and miserable child with a 101 degree fever might need some intervention.
2. Consider some home remedies - lukewarm (not cold!) baths or compresses, homeopathic remedies or herbal tea can work wonders to make a child (or adult) comfortable without suppressing the immune system.
3. Use fever-reducing medications sparingly - If the above recommendations are not enough to comfort the child or if the parent or health care professional is uncomfortable with the severity of the fever, consider using a fever-reducing medication. My recommendation is to start with a weight appropriate dose of Ibuprofen. Only if Ibuprofen is not tolerated, should Acetaminophen be used. Acetaminophen use may be linked to an increase risk of asthma and can be damaging to the liver.
Fevers in an infant (under 6 months), lasting longer then 5 days, over 104 degrees or accompanied by concerning symptoms need to be evaluated by a heath care practitioner. Also, trust you gut, if you are worried - seek help. Mama, and papa, know best.
Please join me in my crusade to help end fever phobia!
Dr C
Why you need to detox now!
Actually, I was just getting your attention. You don't need to detox now. And my Fall Rejuvenation isn't even really a detox. It is a jumpstart. An introduction into a healthy way of eating that should make up 80% of your diet most days of the week. Pair this new way of approaching food with great info on removing known toxins from the home, fabulous ideas on self-care to support optimal organ function and a supportive, enthusiastic community of like-minded folks to help you out along the way. Why not start now? We don't use pills, powders or special potions. We just eat real food. That is what makes this different. I just read an interview with a nutritionist who stated that cleansing 1-2 times a year is like only cleaning your house once or twice a year. I couldn't agree more. Health is a year round process, we give you year round tools. But you have to start somewhere, so why not start now?
Fall is a great time to take a moment to focus on your health and wellness before the craziness of the holidays begins. It is a great time to jump start your immunity before the flu season hits. And it is a great time to let go of some of those fun summertime indulgences that may have accidentally turned into a part of the daily routine. There is never a perfect time, but you have to start sometime. So why not start now?
Getting Burned by Heartburn?
If you experience heartburn, you are not alone. Over 20% of Americans will experience heartburn every week. But think twice abut how you treat it. Proton-pump inhibitors, such as Nexium, Prilosec, or Prevacid, are common medications used to block the stomachs production of acid. No acid=no acidreflux=no heartburn. Seems pretty simple. And it perfectly illustrates the over-simplified approach that is common in medicine today. For every symptom, there is medication meant to suppress the discomfort without looking to the underlying cause. And at what cost? When you suppress a symptom, you ignore the message that symptom sends. And, when you use a medication daily, you take on risks. Over the last couple years, the FDA has started to issue warning regarding some concerning side effects associated with long term use of proton pump inhibitors. One of the most serious is an increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture. It makes perfect sense - stomach acid is needed to digest calcium. If you chronically block the production of stomach acid, you won't be able to absorb the calcium you need. Other concerns are magnesium deficiency and increase rates of infection.
In Naturopathic Medicine we believe in the wisdom of the body. Stomach acid has a purpose. Namely to digest nutrients and keep infections from entering the body. Uncomfortable symptoms, such as heartburn, don't appear for no reason. They are a signal that the body is out of balance. This is what separates our philosophy from the current mainstream approach to healthcare. And this is why patients seek out our care.
So take a moment to consider your symptoms and ask yourself what messages they might be sending. Before you interrupt the the natural functions of your body, consider the long term implications. And before starting any medication, consider the many safe and non-toxic natural therapies available. And, of course, consider adding a naturopathic doctor to your health care team :)