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The flu season has hit hard this year and earlier than usual. The Health Department is concerned that the flu is spreading rapidly because the population is not taking appropriate hygiene measures to curtail the spread. Latest health campaigns have been promoting the flu vaccine, but also urging people to stay home if they are unwell. Being a martyr at the office is not going to make you any friends and neither will your child at school or day care. So stay home and follow some natural remedies to help you get well.
1. A Warm Shower
Take a warm steamy shower. Leave the fan off so that the room steams up and helps you breath more easily. It also loosens phlegm on your chest.
2. Try a Natural Remedy
For a cold or flu, doctors say you should try to reach for natural remedies like Epsom salts, instead of reaching for an expensive over-the-counter drug. Consult your doctor for serious or persistent conditions. If you have a very high temperature or have a history of febrile seizure, you should check with your doctor before soaking in a warm bath.
Soak in a warm Epsom Salt bath. Epsom salts are actually made of naturally occurring magnesium sulfate and cost very little from your local pharmacy or supermarket. I buy my Epsom Salts in bulk from Open Source. I also add a couple of drops of pure essential oils such as doTerra’s Lavender Peace, Serenity or Lavender. Soaking in a bath can help ease aches, calming the body as it fights the symptoms of a cold or flu. It can help the body rest, recover, detoxify and increase your white-blood cell production and helps your body to fight off the illness faster.
3. Maintain Sufficient Fluids
Keep your fluid intake up – at least 8 cups a day. It doesn’t have to be all water but try to avoid coffee and alcohol as they tend to cause dehydration. Think of it as flushing the bugs out of your system. Fluid helps to thin out the mucous that builds up in your chest and nose. Avoid dairy products as they may increase the amount of mucous in your body.
4. Clear Your Sinuses
If your sinuses are contributing to your discomfort, you could try FESS – a non-medicated saline nasal spray. FESS irrigates the nasal passages to break down mucous. It helps to flush out your sinuses and improve breathing. I have also used FESS irrigation (called FESS Sinu Cleanse) when I had an acute sinus infection which helped alleviate the mucous.
Another method to try that may be helpful, is a steam bowl with some essential oils like eucalyptus or lavender. Fill a bowl with steaming water, add some essential oils, cover your head and the bowl with a large towel and breathe in the steam. You must be very careful with this method and it should only be used by adults, when children are not around due to the risk of burns.
5. Rest early
Don’t wait until you’ve had the virus for 5 days! Take a day off work when your symptoms build and try to help your body recuperate faster. You will give yourself a better chance of healing. Try to “get in front” of the illness by resting when you feel it coming on.
6. Use Food As Medicine
Fuelling your body with nutritious and healthy foods will help your body fight off the infection faster. Garlic, ginger and chilli have long been known to boost immunity. Of course soups are a great way to keep your liquids up as well. One of my friends recommends boiling up fresh thyme and pieces of ginger with some water in a large pot. Strain and drink to help improve your cough. Another friend adds garlic to her mix. The latest fad which isn’t quite a fad because it’s been used for centuries is bone broth. I remember my Nanna making a special chicken soup using bone broth whenever her family were sick. No food is a single cure so make sure you do your own research first. Eating a well rounded diet of wholefoods, fruits and vegetables is your best protection against illness.
7. Use of A Humidifier
At night time, using a warm mist humidifier or vaporizer can ease a blocked head and chest. Keep the door only slightly ajar so that the moist air stays trapped in the room. You could also prop your head up with pillows while you sleep.
When To Seek Medical Advice For Flu
If your conditions worsen rapidly or you have a young child or elderly relative with the flu, you will need to be more vigilant and seek medical advice if symptoms don’t improve. It’s helpful to know that babies and young children can get sick more rapidly than adults. Health Direct advise to seek urgent medical advice if your baby or young child has:
- a persistent cough
- periods of breathlessness or difficulty breathing
- a high fever (see a doctor straight away for any fever in a baby less than 3 months)
- a bad cough
- bluish or very pale skin
- inability or unwillingness to feed or eat
- drowsiness in your baby
- isn’t drinking
- is vomiting a lot
- has a bad headache
- has a stiff neck
- is pale and sleepy
- has a rash that doesn’t disappear if you hold a glass against it
For non urgent care, book an appointment with your GP. If you feel that your or your family member’s symptoms are worsening rapidly then go to your nearest Emergency Department.
Get Better Soon
Take it easy when you have the flu. Get plenty of rest, look after yourself, stay hydrated, and do what you can to feel better. Remember if your symptoms don’t improve after a few days or seem to be getting worse, seek advice from a health care professional.