Sandra Chadsey

Winter Reminders: How to get the most out of a healthy winter holiday season

Fall Thoughts: Do the Rhythms and routines of our life make a difference?

Summer Tip: Summer first aid

Spring Tip: Help for hay fever!

Winter Tip: A discussion around fever and homeopathic treatment options

Fall Tip: What to do when the cold and flu has got you!

Winter Reminders....

Wishing all my practice patients and friends a fun and healthy winter season ahead.

Looking for a natural flu prevention? My office provides a FREE homeopathic flu prevention program for everyone aged 2 and up. Give me a call to arrange filling in a short questionnaire and picking up your seasonal supply.

Homeopathy 'tips of the trade':
Cold or Flu got you down? Read an archived article from last winter on how to support yourself naturally through homeopathy and common sense. Click to read

Young children in the home? New to parenting? Struggling to understand when to respond to a fever? Read another archived discussion around fevers. Click to read

Arnica 30c or 200c : #1 remedy for accidents, injuries, and bruising. Slipped on the ice, sore back from shovelling snow, child hits their head while tobogganing, minor car accident on a snowy day...really any type of trauma, especially to the muscles or head. Also effective for pre/post surgery, dental work, extended exercise ache or jet lag.

Take 1 dose (2 pellets) as needed; depending on the severity of the accident you may need multiple doses.
e.g. Child hits their head on the ice, 1 dose of 200c is enough; Parent bruises hip from a painful fall while helping the child who is crying after hitting their head on the ice, 2-3 doses per day for 2-3 days!

My favourite 8 reminders of how to get the most out of a
healthy winter holiday season

1. Mindful eating and drinking: Eating a delicious meal can be a very rewarding and socially engaging experience. Whether you are playing with your children, just finishing an outdoor activity, driving around town on errands, or relaxing on the couch; the snacks you choose make a difference. Do not function on auto-control; be intentional in what you eat. KNOW what you are eating or drinking and be conscious of the sugar, fat and additives in your food.

Read labels and be aware of how much sugar you are consuming
High sugar diets have a toxic effect on the whole body and cause a myriad of short and long term damaging effects. Sugars that break down quickly in your body raise your insulin levels. Chronically raised insulin levels can lead to diseases such as obesity and diabetes. A high sugar diet will suppress your immune system and upset the mineral relationships in the body, but it can also lead many other illnesses such as eczema, arthritis, kidney stones, PMS, asthma, constipation, reduction of HDL ("good cholesterol"), pre-mature aging and tooth decay - just to name a few!
High levels of sugar not only play havoc on our adult immune systems but greatly affect the health, growth, and mental abilities of our children.
FDA recommends 10 teaspoons (40 grams) of sugar per day for a 2,000 calorie per day diet.

sugar 1 can Coke Cola = 39 grams (that's your 10 tsp for the day right there!)
1/3 cup Craisins = 30 grams (7.5 tsp)
20oz bottle of Vitamin water = 33grams (8.25 tsp)
Yoplait Original yogurt = 27 grams (6.75 tsp)
Starbucks Vanilla Frappaccino grande = 58 grams (14.5 tsp)
Tim Hortons Hot Chocolate 10oz = 38 grams (9.5 tsp)
Panera Wild Blueberry scone = 25 grams (6 tsp)
Tossed salad w/ roasted Turkey, fuji apples & vinaigrette = 32 grams (8 tsp)

It doesn't take much to eat our daily max in sugar: salads, fruit, protein bars (glorified candy bars) or beverages - it all adds up! The worst offenders are the beverages.
Sugar has many names: Glucose, fructose, sucrose, barley malt, malt syrup, corn syrup, molasses, honey, dextrose, dextran, sorbitol, fruit juice concentrate, turbinado sugar, xylitol, polydextrose, sorghum, lactose, maltose, maltodextrin, high fructose corn syrup, beet sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, carob syrup, treacle, rice syrup, refiners syrup, ethyl maltol.
Find the hidden sugars, KNOW what you are really eating...sometimes your lunch is actually a dessert! It's ok to eat some sugar, just be mindful that you are doing it and monitor that it is not overdone each and every day.
See some useful links at the bottom of the page.

“The trick to enjoying the sweet things in life is to ferret out hidden sugars in the diet and save small doses of sugar for dessert, where it belongs. ‘You can subtract grams and grams of sugar out of your diet without ever touching dessert,’ says Katz. ‘You can systematically reverse-engineer the damage the modern food supply is doing to your body by simply making better choices.’” (Read more: Follow link below "taming your sweet tooth" below)

2. Experience direct sunlight on your skin...play outside! Take off those sunglasses, open the jacket and allow the ultraviolet rays to directly strike your skin and trigger Vit D synthesis. It doesn't take much direct sunlight to make a difference in your immune function and mood. Aim for 15 min a day.
Vit D is a fat soluble vitamin that is not naturally present in many foods. It is required in order for us to absorb calcium, thus playing a role in bone health, but it also contributes to cancer and diabetes prevention. It has anti-inflammatory effects and plays a role in the treatment of hypertension and autoimmune diseases.

"Autoimmune Diseases and Influenza: Since vitamin D has a role in regulating the immune system and a strong anti-inflammatory effect, it has been theorized that vitamin D deficiency could contribute to autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune thyroid disease. Scientists have suggested that vitamin D deficiency in the winter months may be the seasonal stimulus that triggers influenza outbreaks in the winter. Numerous trials have evaluated the association between vitamin D and immune-system diseases"
Read more: http://www.uspharmacist.com/content/d/feature/i/1237/c/23264/

3. Maintain regular bedtimes the best you can, especially for your children: Good quality sleep allows your body to rejuvenate and heal. A lack of sleep seems to increase your susceptibility to illness. It's a stress on the body. Want to get the most out of visiting family, going skating and enjoying all the various activities? Be mindful of giving your body the time to sleep. You will thank yourself in the morning!

4. Laughter: "Comedy is good for you. Laughing decreases the levels of stress hormones in the body while increasing a type of white blood cell that fights infection. In fact, even just anticipating a funny event can have a positive effect on your immune system" (WebMD:10 immune system busters and boosters)
Holidays can be stressful, especially if there are difficult family relationships or you feel isolated socially and alone. Spend time with a friend; connect with someone who is funny and joyful this holiday. Spend time laughing together. Choosing a movie? Make it a comedy! Make the choice to look for the lighter side of difficult situations and add laughter - a free gift to yourself that releases happy endorphins of health!

5. Exercise: Get out walking, jogging, skating, tobogganing, skipping rope or attend a yoga/zumba/palates class. Fantastic way to boost your immune system, improve your sleep and enrich your overall sense of wellbeing. During the holidays our alcoholic and sugar intake can climb, so balance out what you are putting into your body with exercise. Then, make it a habit!

6. Intentional times of relaxation: everyone, at every age, is included in needing time to de-stress and relax. Make plans to do nothing, to have no expectations, to just be! Whatever is restful for you, do that. Many of us live very stressful and active lives¸ then during our holidays we have a habit of over-booking our social calendars and are surprised when we get sick or become irritable. Turning off your cell phone and closing your computer multiplies your positive effort tenfold! Remember that your children and grandchildren are watching you. They follow examples more than instructions. Display the ability to say “No” to over-committing, lead by example in deep breathing, quiet times, and pajama days. Talk to them about why their bodies need rest. Keep your family’s activities balanced and make time to discharge.

7. Be a giver: it makes everyone happy! There are so many opportunities available to share our wealth: our wealth of time, love, money, food and knowledge. Look for opportunities to share freely with others in your community and globally. Giving of ourselves is part of how we are wired; when we give out of love, it releases something inside of us that triggers us to feel more purposeful and connected. When we serve others in this way, it not only feeds our soul, but it injects goodness into the greater community. When we move away from looking at ourselves and look to others who are in need of our time, love, and money, it does something that synergistically changes our health and life perspective.

8. Take a risk or create a new tradition: do something outside of your comfort zone! I can't honestly tell you that there are any obvious health advantages to doing this, but I know for myself, it is just good living! Opening myself up to new challenges, creating new experiences, and pushing myself to try something that initially is a little scary makes me feel alive and vital. It doesn't seem to matter whether I succeed or not (though that is a bonus); it's the process that matters. My self-talk sounds something like this, "Build a bridge and get over it Sandra, just do it afraid!" and there is usually a little "who cares what others think, this will be good for us as a family." For those of us who are a little more reserved and don't like change or risk as part of our everyday lives, use the variety of holidays as opportunities to take risks and try new things, eat new foods, or make new friends... if nothing else, it will add to the laughter medicine!! Note: my personal risk for this season is a small acting role on stage at the Newmarket Theatre with my daughter in a production of the Nutcracker Ballet. What am I thinking?! :-)

Further reading:
Interesting articles and blogs to read on the effects of sugar in our diets
http://summertomato.com/shocking-sugar-content-of-common-food-products/
http://nancyappleton.com/141-reasons-sugar-ruins-your-health/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/04/20/sugar-dangers.aspx
Wanting to make healthier sugar choices?
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/7-tricks-for-taming-your-sweet-tooth.html?page=7
http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/carbs/8/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do the rhythms and routines of our life make a difference?
By Sandra Chadsey, DCHM,RHom

rhythm dock It’s a new year for many who are teachers, students and in families with young children. It is almost fall, a season full of deep colours and crisp mornings. Depending on your stage of life, your vocation or your health, different seasons of the year can elicit a different level of energy and attention, they can be times of rest or high activity, seasons of emotional pain or of rejoicing, or they can be times of blossoming health or temporary illness. For me, a perpetual student, a mother of three students and a wife and sister to four teachers, September is always my new year and a time to make positive changes and reorganize. I have had the question asked of me this summer, “what are the rhythms in your family?” And then there’s the never ending question that is always on my mind and on the minds of those in my sphere of influence “what are you doing to ensure health, balance and self-care for yourself and thus your family?” I know the two are related, but I wonder if “rhythms” is just our new catch phrase, or if they are meaningful enough that I can help my children, patients, and friends develop them. I am pondering what rhythms I have and do they really make a difference?

Homeopathy is not just about medicine and symptoms. It is not only available to you to cure or improve ailments (though it can do that very well!). Homeopathic care and treating ailments in this fashion is more about an evolving mindset; a healing of symptoms and dis-ease in your body, and a growing understanding of the effects of our life experiences and choices on our bodies…there is a lesson to be learned about prevention. (Note: I am not referring to injuries, life threatening diseases or serious genetic abnormalities; I am referring to common ailments such as recurring colds, fatigue, fibromyalgia, allergies, headaches, depression, PMS, high BP etc.)

So what part of our perception regarding prevention needs to evolve?
It’s not the common concept of prevention with increased supplements, vaccines and medicines,
but a growing and developing understanding of what converging factors got you into this place of sickness
and what needs to change so that you don’t repeat the cycle.

Ask yourself….
Who am I?
What do I need?
What do I value?
What activity energizes me?
Do I nourish my strengths?
What emotions drain me?
Can I rest?
Am I making healthy food choices?
What about my media choices, work choices and social choices?
Am I listening to my body when it tries to communicate to me?
Am I ok with how I was created, and do I work with what I have?

Do I have rhythms in my life that feed me emotionally, physically and spiritually?

Our culture today is one of over-indulgence, social media, high expectations, fast paces and fast foods. One of the best forms of prevention of future dis-ease comes in the action of slowing down one’s mind and body long enough to be present in the moment and mindful of your environment; to be willing and available to work through your concerns and celebrate your successes; to allow your body the opportunity to tell you what it needs, and for you to trust in what it says; to have the freedom to know when you need help and the time to get it.

All this happens by creating Rhythms and Routines in your life!

Sleep Wake routines
Exercise regimes that revive you
Creative outdoor opportunities like sunrise walks, Yoga in the park,
Jogging business meetings, geocaching, or bike rides then a coffee with friends.
Food menus and farmer’s markets
Suppers together
Family games night or regular date nights
Turning OFF the cell phone and iPad – regularly
Full days or just moments of rest
Intentional connections through positive relationships
Story times or snuggles with children
Small pockets of time to read
Moments of meditation and stillness

What does your week look like?

Start this new school year or this upcoming fall season with a new rhythm in your life that feeds who you are and leads you in a healthy direction. Your schedule already too full? Be courageous and cut out activities, foods, and distractions that you already know to be unhealthy FOR YOU! It’s worth it, you’re worth it!

An added factor in my family, something that is part of our rhythm, is the support of a circle of wellness professionals whom I trust and rely on for advice, regular care, and support during times of crisis. It makes a huge difference to have these relationships established in advance.

Are you struggling with your health and not even close to the prevention stage? Would you benefit from homeopathic care? Give me a call and we can discuss it!

Warmly,
Sandra

Summer First Aid
By Sandra Chadsey, DCHM,RHom

Canadian summers can be full of travelling, swimming, hiking, camping, boating, fireworks, amusement parks, bike riding, street hockey and endless hours of backyard antics. We long to be outdoors, to be carefree, and to be enjoying the incredible benefits of our beautiful Canadian climate and landscape. Injuries are inevitable, and homeopathy is an effective way to support the body’s natural healing efforts in situations such as sprains, falls, cuts, puncture wounds, bug bites, motion sickness and heat stroke. The medicine (remedies) will assist the body in speeding up the process of healing without side effects.

If you have further questions or more serious injuries than what is covered here, please contact a qualified homeopathic practitioner for professional care.

Dosing Guidelines:

Take according to the severity of the symptoms: more often (every 15-30 min) if the injury is severe, less often (every 1-2 hours) if it is mild, tolerable and responding well to the medicine.
Stop and start the medicine as needed: taking the medicine less often as symptoms start to improve and stopping on significant improvement. Acute situations like those discussed here, usually only 1 to 2 doses are needed unless I have otherwise indicated.
If injuries are serious enough, take the homeopathic medicine while driving en route to the hospital.
A dose is usually 2 pellets. All of these medicines can be bought at your local health food store.
The pellets are made of milk sugar with the medicine on the outer surface, so it is preferable that you do not handle the pellets. From a vial, shake a dose into the cap and drop the pellets directly into your mouth.
Allow the medicinal remedy to dissolve in your mouth. Do not chew or swallow. The medicine is absorbed through the mucous membrane of your mouth. Take 15-20 minutes away from food.
All dosing guidelines and homeopathic medicines listed in 'Summer First Aid' are completely gentle, safe and effective for children, youth, adults, pregnant women, seniors, and animals.

Bug Bites:
Apis (200c and Gel)

Insect stings, bites and allergic reactions. Bee stings or any bite that looks like a bee sting
Pain: burning, stinging
Appearance: redness, hot to the touch, shiny
Rapid swelling, “puffy”, itchy
Give 1 dose every 15 min for 1 hr
Anaphylactic reaction: throat fills up with fluid / swelling. Give multiple doses till significant improvement
Apply Gel to soothe as often as needed. (Gel in Canada is now called Dapis)

Ledum (200c)

Bee and wasp stings
Swelling, painful, red and cold

Injuries, Lacerations and Burns:
Apis (200c) – when any cut or abrasion is hot, stinging and swollen

Arnica (30c or 200c)

Any blunt trauma, accidents, shock, bruising, concussion, burns or sprains
First response for all accidents, injuries to muscles (soft tissue) or head trauma, and bruising
When the patient has a fear of being touched and may say they are “all right” when they clearly are not
Shock after a serious burn, accident or injury (1 dose is enough)
Nose bleeds resulting from an injury (also: sit with head forward & pinch bridge of nose for 10min)
Black eye when there is bruising around eye (dose hourly for 5-6 hours)
Bug bites that have a bruised feeling and are very painful
Any injury that causes the feeling of being beaten
Broken bones where there is a bruise, pain, bleeding and swelling

Calendula – #1 remedy for healing wounds

Antiseptic tincture to clean wounds, burns and bug bites (dilute 10 drops in 1oz of clean water)
Topical cream or gel for bandages (like polysporin). Prevents infection
Oral remedy (200c) for muscle or tendon ruptures, lacerations to the scalp, lacerations anywhere on body that are torn or jagged (clean with tincture and take the oral remedy to heal from the inside out)

Cantharis (30c)

2nd and 3rd degree burns and scalding; chemical burns
Horribly painful, persistent pain
Patient can’t remove the cold pack even for an instant (better cold application)
Scalds to mouth and throat
Give a dose every 10 min till pain subsides

Hypericum (200c)

Areas that are rich and dense in nerves (head, spine, coccyx, finger tips, toes, soles, palms)
Injury to spine, i.e. falling on coccyx
Injuries from nails, splinters, needles (any pointed instrument), snake bites, dirty puncture wounds
Crushing injuries, i.e. mashed fingers
Lacerations that cause incredible pain; torn, lacerated parts that are almost entirely separated,
e.g. finger almost cut off
Pains are sharp and shooting (travels along nerves), burning, throbbing, red, swollen
Septic PUNCTURE WOUNDS + inflammation + pain (extending, sharp, shooting) - prevents tetanus
Herbal tincture: Clean puncture wound very well. (similar to calendula tincture)
Minor burns: saturate dressing with tincture or lotion

Ledum (200c)

Abrasions, cuts and persistent bruises where the injury feels colder than surrounding tissue
Puncture wounds to palms and soles: keeps wound open and draining

Hypericum is red, hot, with shooting pain – Ledum is not hot and better with cold applications

Black eye the feels better with cold application
Sprained ankle: happens easily, swollen, skin appears blotched, feels cool to touch and patient is adverse to applying warmth, likes cold applications (compare to Ruta)

Ruta (200c)

Injury to the periosteal area (outer layer/covering of bone that muscle attaches to) shin, kneecap, elbow
i.e. blow to the shin that develops a “goose egg” and is painful
Injury or overuse to connective tissue of joint, i.e. ankle, wrist, knee
Sprained ankle: deep aching pain, lameness/weakness, desire to move the part, better warm applications

Sunstroke and Dehydration:
Heat exhaustion exhibits heavy sweating, rapid breathing, lassitude and fast, weak pulse. Skin can be cold and clammy. Headache, nausea and weakness are also common.
Sunstroke exhibits hot dry skin, rapid and strong pulse, nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache and vomiting. Can lead to twitching, convulsions and coma. Sunstroke and heat exhaustion are life threatening if ignored.
Dehydration exhibits dry mouth, thirst, irritability, dizziness, fatigue, cramps, and headache.
Other solutions: cool environment, cold compresses, sip cool drinks (1tsp salt to 1 Quart water), and pour cold water on body. (Absolutely no alcohol!)

Belladonna (200c)

Sunstroke / heat exhaustion
Patient has dilated pupils with burning, flushed, dry skin
Bounding pulse and at times delirium
Dose every hour till relief is obvious

Glonoine (200c)

Sunstroke (#1 remedy) and heat exhaustion
Waves of a throbbing headache, face is bright red and skin is sweaty
They feel much better from applying cold water to face
Dose every hour till relief is obvious

Phosphoric Acid (200c)

Dehydration from loss of fluids due to diarrhea, vomiting or sunstroke
After initial ailment has subsided: Take 2 pellets 1x/day for 3 days

Veratrum Album (200c)

Severe dehydration from heat exhaustion
Sudden, rapid loss of strength
Whole system is dry, weak and can exhibit dizziness and fainting
Clammy sweat, pallor, nausea

Motion Sickness:
Remedies can be taken up to 1 hr before travelling. Give as needed while driving.

Tabacum (30c)

Deathly nausea and possible vomiting
Icy coldness with sweating
Pale
Worse motion

Cocculus (30c)

Nausea, vomiting. Worse with food present
Vertigo (dizziness) that is affecting the stomach

Have a very safe and enjoyable summer!

Help for hay fever!
By Sandra Chadsey, DCHM,RHom

It’s that time of year again, spring has sprung! Our grass and trees are awaking from their winter slumber and the tulips are blooming. Unfortunately this is when 25% of our community suffers with allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever. They experience a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, watery eyes and sinus pressure, but not from a virus; hay fever is caused by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander.

The trend tends to be that once you develop allergies, the symptoms reappear year after year unless the problem is addressed. This happens because allergies are actually a chronic issue that will get worse over time. Pharmaceutical anti-histamines can give relief, but they do have side effects that can include bad breath, fatigue, drowsiness, upset stomach, high blood pressure, headaches, dry mouth, difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, dizziness and constipation.

Homeopathy can help with your hay fever symptoms this spring, summer or fall without the side effects. A well-chosen homeopathic medicine based on your individual allergic response can greatly reduce your symptoms this season.

Below are a few of the more common homeopathic medicines you can try for yourself. If none of these fit your symptoms, or you experience chronic allergies every year, then it may be time to visit a qualified homeopath for an appointment.

Purchase these homeopathic medicines in a 30c potency and take as needed. Some days you may not need a dose, other days you may need 3 or 4 doses. A dose is usually 2 pellets, dissolved in the mouth away from food and drink. The earlier you take the medicine in the season the quicker you will get a handle on your allergic response.

Allium Cepa 30c … all about the watery discharge in the eyes/nose

You may feel like you are dripping like a faucet
Profuse watery discharge from the eyes (bland)
Discharge from the nose that burns and irritates
Sneezing fits
Better outside in the open air; cold air

Euphrasia 30c …all about the eyes

Eyes inflamed: burning, itching, sore, swollen
Profuse watery discharge from the eyes that burns (opposite to Allium Cepa)
Discharges can dry out and leave crusty agglutination of the lids (good for pink eye)
Intense sneezing; sinus discharges are bland (opposite to Allium Cepa)
Worse mornings and in a warm room/warm breeze

Sabadilla 30c …all about the sneeze

Sneezing, sneezing and then more spasms of sneezing
Can have copious amounts of discharge from the nose with some nasal obstruction
Tickling and itching inside the nose
Watery discharge of the eyes that can burn
Worse outside in the open air; better warm rooms and drinks
You may be highly sensitive to odours, flowers, and perfumes

Wyethia 30c …all about the itching/crawling feeling

Tremendous itch of the nose, throat and especially the palate
Itchy palate – rubs with tongue
Dry cough; constant clearing of throat
Hoarseness

A discussion around fever and homeopathic treatment options
By Sandra Chadsey, DCHM,RHom

Fevers are a part of an extraordinary and intricate healing process; they are usually an indication of increased activity from the immune system. Our defense system uses a fever as a stimulus to destroy invading organisms and promote health. Many times, at the first sign of fever we try to lower or extinguish it with medicine (from a drug store or herbal supply) assuming it is a sickness that needs to be immediately addressed. Actually, it is only a sign from our body communicating with us that it is overheated (i.e. too long in the sun or sitting in a hot car) or that there is a possible underlying infection that it is attempting to remedy. Although a fever signals that a battle might be going on in the body, the fever is fighting for, not against, the person.

Fevers can be scary, especially for parents of young children. The best education a parent can receive is to learn when to take action and when to let a fever run its course. Below are some helpful facts to educate and empower you; trust your instincts and believe in the body’s natural defense system. As you gain confidence with your understanding of how to respond to a fever, you will find that many fears or anxieties are eased, and you will feel more in control of the situation, because when needed, you will have the understanding and homeopathic remedies available.

When combating an infection the best decision is to boost the body’s own defenses with good nutrition, rest, low stimulation and homeopathic medicines if required.

Important facts to know

Everyone has their own internal regulation of body temperature. The average is 37 °C (plus or minus 0.6°C) or 98.6°F (plus or minus 1°F)

A child’s temperature will tend to be lower in the morning and will naturally rise throughout the day with excitement, activity and exercise. It is normal for your child to have an elevated temperature later in the day; it does not necessarily indicate a fever.

Fever is not an illness but it is a mechanism that has many beneficial effects in fighting infection. Fever retards the growth and reproduction of bacteria and viruses, enhances production of white blood cells (immune systems “attack” cells), and it aids in the body’s initial acute reaction to illness. The degree of fever does not always correlate with the severity of illness.

A fever is defined by an oral temperature exceeding 38°C (100.4°F). They are usually self-limiting and short in duration. Every person will be unique in how they express their fever and what they can tolerate. Low grade fevers should be left alone without medical intervention. A higher fever, above 39 °C (102.5 °F), should be monitored and if you are concerned, call your Homeopath or Doctor if it is not resolved in 2-3 days.

A fever by itself is not something to feel panicked about. Look at the child more than you look at the thermometer. The questions to ask are:

How does the child look?
How are they behaving?
How are they sleeping?

The American Academy of Pediatrics voiced concerns in a 2011 study, concluding that parents need to understand that the fever itself is not endangering to a healthy child. It's actually beneficial, and the primary goal of treatment should be to improve comfort rather than lowering body temperature alone. They concluded that parents and healthcare providers should be clearly monitoring the child and watching for signs of serious illness (total body picture) versus being focused on maintaining normal body temperature.

If the child is displaying a mild fever, some common sense treatments are:

Don’t overdress the child
Don’t layer them in blankets
Increase fluids (without sugar), because they will lose fluids quicker with a fever
Decrease household and extracurricular activity
Allow your child time to be “under the weather”

According to the National Institute for Health, brain damage from a fever generally will not occur unless the fever is over 42 °C (107.6 °F). Untreated fevers caused by infection will seldom go over 40.5 °C (105 °F) unless the child is overdressed or trapped in a hot place.

When to visit the Doctor or Homeopath?

Your child is younger than 2 to 4 months old and has a fever.
Your child is lethargic, unresponsive, refuses to eat, has a rash, or is having difficulty breathing.
You observe signs of dehydration in a young child, such as a dry mouth, a sunken soft spot, or significantly fewer wet diapers.
An older child may complain of a severe, sudden headache and have mental changes, neck or back stiffness, or rashes.
Your child’s fever lasts more than a few days
Your child is experiencing an ear infection or other sign's of infection that need to be monitored or treated.
Your child experiences a febrile seizure.

What is a Febrile Seizure?

A febrile seizure is a relatively common and harmless side effect of fevers in young children.
They do not cause permanent damage.
It’s a full-body seizure where your child may be unresponsive, look strange, twitch, stiffen or roll his eyes.
Remain calm and move your child to a safe place where he can’t hurt himself. Do not put anything in his mouth. Febrile seizures usually last less than one minute, but can last up to 15 minutes. Follow up with your Doctor or Homeopath for all febrile seizures.
Having a Febrile seizure does not mean your child has epilepsy.

At Home, Homeopathic Alternatives

If you or your child is experiencing a fever with significant discomfort, difficulty in maintaining hydration, disturbed sleep or a high fever that is of concern to you, please consider the Homeopathic medicines below. When in doubt, or if none of these apply, please call a qualified Homeopathic Practitioner for guidance.

Directions: Fevers above 39 °C (102.5 F) tend to be intense, so a 200c potency of the medicine is appropriate.
Give 1 dose (2 pellets) and watch/wait.

If the fever lowers (not necessarily disappears) and the patient is more comfortable, then allow the body to continue to heal independently.
If the medicine helped, but the fever relapses, re-dose as necessary.
With high fevers that are sudden and violent in nature you may initially need to repeat often (every 15-30 min).
If the fever does not respond to the initial dose, repeat within the half hour. After 3 doses, if there is no response, then you may want to consider a different homeopathic medicine.
Remember, the goal is not to extinguish the fever, but to allow the adult or child to be more comfortable and to aid the body in its overall efforts to combat infection. If an intense and violent fever can not be calmed and the patient is experiencing other more serious symptoms, please contact a qualified Doctor immediately.

Aconite

Sudden, violent fever
Complaints come on after exposure to dry/cold weather
May appear after a fright, shock
Skin dry and burning
Fever and chills alternate
Intense thirst
Restless, anxious
In high fever, mentally alert but frightened (opp. to belladonna)
Pupils are constricted (dilated pupils = Belladonna)
Face is red, hot, flushed, swollen…BUT upon rising faces become deathly pale
Worse: evening, before midnight

Belladonna

Intense, high fever
Fast, sudden – comes on suddenly and goes suddenly
Dry , Hot, radiating fever, little perspiration
Hot head with cool body OR hot head and body with cold hands / feet
Delirium, hallucinations, dazed look, “stupor”
Red, flushed face
Has a dry mouth but doesn’t want to drink (thirst less)
Dilated pupils
Worse: 3pm
Throbbing / pulsating sensations (i.e. pulsating headache or a hard forceful pulse)
Right sided symptoms

Arsenicum

Heat of the face with a chilled body
Heat and chill alternate
Thirsty for small sips
Rapid collapse and exhaustion (weakness out of proportion to the degree of fever/illness)
Better: bundled up and warm except for head, which is better with cold
Worse: cold air and cold drinks; after midnight
Anxious, fearful, agitated, and very restless

Bryonia

Lazy onset of a high fever
One sided heat
Shivery and sweaty
Thirsty for large amounts of cold water
Severe headache
Flushed face
Worse: least motion, anger, evenings (9pm)
Better: lying still
Irritable and wants to be quiet and left alone

Chamomilla

Fever especially in young children
Unbearable, long lasting heat; often without a chill
Lots of crying, shrieking, temper tantrums, whines
Irritable, excited, doesn’t know what they want
Fever in relation to teething
VERY oversensitive to pain
Child wants to be held and carried, always moving
One cheek red/hot, the other cheek pale
Sleeplessness
Fever worse: 9am but generally worse: 9pm-12am
Very thirsty

China

Chills and severe shaking give way to high fever. Followed by profuse sweating
Very thirsty
Prostrate, weakness, fatigue especially after long fever
Worse after loss of fluids i.e. vomiting, diarrhea
Sensation of prickling all over body with heat/fever
Worse: motion, drafts, afternoon and evenings
Desires to be uncovered but it brings on the chill
Skin sensitive to touch
Easily disturbed sleep, irritable
Abdominal pain during fever

Gelsemium

Fever with lots of shivering and weakness
Chills run up and down the spine
Sleepiness, weakness, trembling
Thirst less when sick
Fever is low but ongoing for several days
Flushed face, hot head
Heavy and droopy eyelids; heavy limbs
Headache worse least movement, light or noise
Wants to be left alone
Mentally: worries and anticipation concerns “what if…”

Sulphur

Especially for fevers that have slow onset, are long lasting or not responding to treatment
Fever especially at night with heavy perspiration (moist heat)
Entire body radiating heat, including burning hot feet
Flushed face
Thirsty for cold drinks
Better: being uncovered
Mentally quite happy

This material is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice from your MD.

Resources used for this article:

Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/3/580.full.pdf
Healthy Children.Org http://www.healthychildren.org
New York Medical Journal: Parental Perceptions of Fever in Children http://newyorkmedicaljournal.org/index.php/articles/parental_perceptions_of_fever_in_children_a_qualitative_approach
MedLine Plus: Fevers http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003090.htm
Yale Medical Group: When your Child has a Fever http://www.yalemedicalgroup.org/stw/Page.asp?PageID=STW000643
Gibson, Dr DM, First Aid Homeopathy; Scotland, 2005
Morrison, Roger; Desktop Companion to physical pathology; California, 1998
Herring, C., Guiding Symptoms of our Materia Medica

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What to do when the cold or flu has GOT You!
By Sandra Chadsey, DCHM,RHom

Best thing you can do for yourself when sick is naturally support your body and give it time to recover.

Turn off the computer, the cell phone and the T.V. Create a low stimulation environment and get lots of rest.
Drink lots of water and nibble on foods that are high in water such as raw fruits, vegetables, and soups.
Avoid Sugar, Dairy and Wheat to give your immune system the opportunity to focus on regaining your health
Take Ferrum Phos 6x Tissue Salts: Homeopathic Iron which provides you with a boost when your system is low.
2 pellets 3x a day when ill or if you feel you are becoming ill.
Take Vitamin C: Have a high quality Vit C capsule on hand for the cold & flu season. Take 3000mg+ throughout the day when sick. Take at least 500mg daily all winter long.
A little Echinacea for 2 to 3 days gives your system some great added support
When your lymph nodes are full and your sinuses are plugged, ginger tea gets things flowing. Try shaving 1-2 tbsp raw ginger in a pot of hot water and let it steep. Honey adds some sweetness and comfort if needed.

Acute ailments are self-limiting and will end. As rotten as you feel, this will pass. Homeopathic remedies may help speed up the process and support your body, but they will not erase the symptoms completely. Being sick is one way your body signals to you that it is tired and run down and you need to take a break. It is also a form of discharge after periods of high stress. Take the time to listen and pay attention to your body. If you do, it will be strong and vital.

Note: If you are experiencing many colds and infections, and if you tend to become ill with every sickness that’s “going around”, then this is a signal that you have a chronic condition that needs constitutional care to strengthen and support your overall system. Please contact a qualified homeopath who is able to provide this type of care.

Below are a list of common remedies for colds, influenza and coughs. With each remedy you will see a list of typical symptoms indicative of that remedy. Review each remedy and look for those symptoms which best match your particular illness.

These remedies are usually easily obtainable through your local health food store or perhaps even a local Superstore. They are safe, natural, non-addictive, and gentle in action.
For minor colds I would recommend 30C potency, and for more serious colds and flu’s I would recommend 200c potency.
Take the remedy 3 or 4 times daily over a 24-48 hour period. You would expect to see improvement within this time frame. As improvement occurs you should reduce the frequency of dosing.
When there is marked improvement you may stop dosing altogether (i.e. sinuses are draining, mental state improved, sleeping at night, intensity/frequency of cough has decreased significantly).
You will find in acute ailments, like the flu, that your symptoms change over the course of the illness. As the most intense symptoms change, so should the remedy that you are taking.
If there is no improvement, please stop dosing and consult with a professional homeopath for advice.

COLD: A common viral infection involving the nose and/or throat which become inflamed causing runny nose, sneezing, sore throat etc. A cold does not have a fever and chill process.

Arsenicum

Burning pains in upper Respiratory Tract made better by heat, warm drinks
Watery discharge from nose that can burn upper lip
You will feel “stuffed up” at the same time as “runny” nose
Restless, cold, anxious
Dull throbbing headache

Kali Bichromicum

Any stage sinusitis – all sinus cavities
Upper Respiratory Tract (therefore NOT if cold moves into lungs)
Complete nasal obstruction with nasal tone of voice (the flow has stopped)
Thick, sticky, sometimes ropey sinus discharge – yellow or yellow/green
Worse in the mornings, after sleep
Better with heat, motion and pressure

Natrum Muriaticum

Thick egg white discharge in nose
Alternates between runny and congested
Cold sores + Dry cracked lips
Sneezing attack in the AM
Depressed & sensitive with cold

Pulsatilla

Late stage cold / sinusitis
“Stuffed nose”
Loss of smell
Dull heavy head sensation
Watery discharge from the nose changing to thick yellow
Weepy, sensitive, moody, clingy
Nose drains when you lie down; nose stops draining when you get up
Generally warm and thirst-less
Better with the window open or outside (fresh air)
Colds that result from teething

INFLUENZA: A viral infection of the respiratory system causing fever, chills, severe aching, loss of appetite, lethargic and phlegm

General and best remedy to take in the first 24 hours is Oscillococcinum

Arsenicum

Burning pains anywhere which are better with heat or warm drinks (as in colds)
Vomiting + diarrhea followed by great exhaustion
High fever
Face hot/burning
Body feels chilled
Crisis point between midnight – 1 am
Restless / anxious
Thirsty for SIPS of water
Worse eating and motion

Belladonna

High fever
Rapid, sudden onset
Hot head and cool body OR hot head/body with cold hands/feet
Headache with throbbing / pulsating sensations
Right sided symptoms (ie. Sore throat on right; ear infection on right)
Dilated pupils
3pm and 11pm worse
Flu with severe sore throat
Can have delirium, hallucinations, crazy look in eyes with High fever

Bryonia

Very hot, very dry – wants to lie still and be left alone
Slow onset of symptoms
Low fever
Aches all over; severe pain with coughing
Intense headache: worse least movement, better from pressure
Irritable, doesn't want to talk, wants to be alone, and may be delirious
Thirst for large amounts of cold water
Tongue coated white

Eupatorium Perfoliatum

Very severe pains (body aches) in limbs and back
Bones feel “broken”, pain causes restlessness
Chills: beginning in small of back with shivers, worse 7-9am
High fever
Bursting headache, eyeball sore
Very thirsty, desires cold food/drinks
Nausea and vomiting

Gelsemium

Chills run up and down back
Feeling chilly alternating with feeling hot
Fever slowly develops over 1-3 days
Sleepiness and weakness
Great heaviness of body including head and eyelids
Aches and pains all over
Absence of thirst, sneezing, hard cough
Bursting headache behind the eyes and forehead

COUGH: A cough is the result of an irritation of the air passages and typically occurs with a “cold”. It tends to clear up when the cold gets better. Any cough that is of unknown cause or which lingers should be seen by a qualified health care provider.

In acute illnesses, there are three kinds of coughs

Dry cough – unproductive and without expectoration (mucus or phlegm)
Wet cough – productive with expectoration which may or may not be easy to expel
Spasmodic cough – coughs that begin suddenly and occur in spasms

Antimonium Tart

Persistent loose cough with rattle
Lots of sticky phlegm and difficulty getting it up
Sudden sensation of suffocation and must sit up
Low fever, pale and sweaty
Worse at night and worse lying down

Bryonia

Dry, violent, spasmodic cough that shakes the body
Slightest movement aggravates the cough
Dry lips, mouth and membranes; strong thirst for cold drinks
Soreness in chest and bursting, severe headache
Deep breath hurts – holds chest and head when coughing

Drosera

Deep, hollow, violent, barking cough
Violent tickle in larynx brings on coughing with retching and gagging
Cough comes in in episodes or fits
Causes pain below ribs – holds ribcage when coughing
Worse at night (as soon as head hits pillow), better in open air
Good for whooping cough

Rumex

Spasmodic, exhausting cough – can be dry or with tough, stringy phlegm
Cough is caused by constant tickling in back of throat
On breathing in, air feels cold and will cover mouth
Hoarseness with constant desire to “hawk”
Worse lying down at night, waking in the a.m., cold air, change of temperature

Spongia

Dry, hacking cough – can bark or be tight and croupy – sounds raspy, “crow like”
Dryness of mucus membranes
Wakes from sleep with violent, choking cough, fear of suffocation
Wakes with burning in chest and throat
Tough phlegm – can’t cough up and usually swallowed
Pain from talking, singing, swallowing
Worse lying down, cold air, and cold drinks
Better from hot drinks and eating

This material is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice from your MD.