"Sore throat
"Stomach ache"
"Chills"
"Runny nose"
"...Fever..."
"Headache"
"Cough"
"So tired..."
THE FLU
These are the words I heard from my husband this past week. *sigh* I felt so bad that he was feeling so sick. I wanted to do everything in my power to not only make him feel better, but make him as comfortable as possible while being sick.
You see, the role of a homemaker does not just consist of taking care of cooking, doing laundry, and cleaning, it is a role that should first be rooted in love, care, patience, and respect. Therefore the things that stem from it should reflect those key characteristics.
For instance:
My husband would prefer that I never, ever, EVER cook possum. (Which is a-okay by me!)
By knowing that there is something in particular he truly doesn't like, I can respect him by not cooking that.
A cheesy example? Maybe. But nonetheless.
One thing that a homemaker does do, is take care of those sick in the home. Now I understand that non-homemakers do this too, but my point is that if homemaking consisted of just cleaning and cooking, you'd actually be a housekeeper, which is a job. A homemaker is a lifestyle. It's a lifestyle that does not think of the paycheck of their hard work, but rather puts all their love into it. Or simply, it's a lifestyle of giving and not of receiving. (Although receiving thanks and love in return is immensely rewarding!)
So, with all of that being said, I learned some new things this week. :) There are some things that are just common knowledge. Like drinking lots of fluids, chicken noodle soup and hot tea, and lots of resting time just to name a few
You hear things like...
when you are under the covers and you're feeling cold, it's most likely your feet;
so put a pair of sock on and you'll feel a lot warmer! (that is so true too!)
Or...
when you have a fever (even though sometimes a fever is something in your favor)
it's best not to cover up with a lot of blankets because that just keeps all of the heat inside,
therefore not allowing the heat of the fever to escape.
Or one of my favorites...
Vicks - the number one cure all.
(I am a huge fan however!)
Now everyone has heard different things from their moms, their grandmas, and the neighbor next door, but what things are important to help rid the body of a flu or a cold? What things can help make the ill person feel more comfortable?
Here are 12 tips that might help. Please don't fear the length, it's definitely worth the read!
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12 Tips to Treat Colds and Flu the "Natural" Way
WebMD Medical Reference
With no cure in sight for the cold or the flu, current treatments can at best bring symptom relief or shorten the duration of those symptoms. You can take one of a variety of medications that may help relieve your symptoms. Or you can take the natural approach. WebMD went to Charles B. Inlander, president of The People's Medical Society, for some home remedies that may speed your recovery, and help you feel better along the way.
Believe it or not, those annoying symptoms you're experiencing are part of the natural healing process -- evidence that the immune system is battling illness. For instance, a fever is your body's way of trying to kill viruses in a hotter-than-normal environment. Also, a fever's hot environment makes germ-killing proteins in your blood circulate more quickly and effectively. Thus, if you endure a moderate fever for a day or two, you may actually get well faster. Coughing is another productive symptom; it clears your breathing passages of thick mucus that can carry germs to your lungs and the rest of your body. Even that stuffy nose is best treated mildly or not at all. A decongestant, like Sudafed, restricts flow to the blood vessels in your nose and throat. But often you want the increase blood flow because it warms the infected area and helps secretions carry germs out of your body.
#2 Blow Your Nose Often (And the Right Way)
It's important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can carry germ-carrying phlegm back into your ear passages, causing earache. The best way to blow your nose: Press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently to clear the other.
Salt-water rinsing helps break nasal congestion, while also removing virus particles and bacteria from your nose. Here's a popular recipe:
Mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. Use a bulb syringe to squirt water into the nose. Hold one nostril closed by applying light finger pressure while squirting the salt mixture into the other nostril. Let it drain. Repeat 2-3 times, then treat the other nostril.
Staying warm and resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle taxes the body. So give it a little help by lying down under a blanket.
#5 Gargle
Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily. To reduce the tickle in your throat, try an astringent gargle -- such as tea that contains tannin -- to tighten the membranes. Or use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey, popular in folk medicine. Seep one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water; mix with one teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before gargling.
Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration, and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat. If you're so congested you can't sleep at night, try a hot toddy, an age-old remedy. Make a cup of hot herbal tea. Add one teaspoon of honey and 1 small shot (about 1 ounce) of whiskey or bourbon. Limit yourself to one. Too much alcohol inflames those membranes and is counterproductive.
Steamy showers moisturize your nasal passages and relax you. If you're dizzy from the flu, run a steamy shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath.
#8 Use a Salve Under Your Nose
A small dab of mentholated salve under your nose can open breathing passages and help restore the irritated skin at the base of the nose. Menthol, eucalyptus and camphor all have mild numbing ingredients that may help relieve the pain of a nose rubbed raw.
Either temperature works. You can buy reusable hot or cold packs at a drugstore. Or make your own. Take a damp washcloth and heat it for 55 seconds in a microwave (test the temperature first to make sure it's right for you.) Or take a small bag of frozen peas to use as a cold pack.
This will help relieve congested nasal passages. If the angle is too awkward, try placing the pillows between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.
#11 Don't Fly Unless Necessary
There's no point adding stress to your already stressed-out upper respiratory system, and that's what the change in air pressure will do. Flying with cold or flu congestion can temporarily damage your eardrums as a result of pressure changes during takeoff and landing. If you must fly, use a decongestant and carry a nasal spray with you to use just before takeoff and landing. Chewing gum and swallowing frequently can also help relieve pressure.
Here are some good foods to eat when you're battling a cold or flu:
- Bananas: Soothe upset stomachs.
- Bell Peppers: Loaded with vitamin C.
- Blueberries: Curbs diarrhea, high in natural aspirin. (May lower fevers and help with the aches and pains.)
- Carrots: Loaded with beta-carotene.
- Chili Peppers: Can open sinuses, and help break up mucus in the lungs.
- Cranberries: Help prevent bacteria from sticking to cells lining the bladder and urinary tract.
- Mustard & Horseradish: Helps break up mucus in air passages.
- Onion: Has phytochemicals purported to help the body clear bronchitis and other infections.
- Rice: Curbs diarrhea.
- Tea: Black and green tea (not herbals) contain catechin, a phytochemical purported to have natural antibiotic and anti-diarrhea effects.
Remember, serious conditions can masquerade as the common cold:
sinus infections, bronchitis, meningitis, strep throat, and asthma. If you have severe symptoms, or feel sicker with each passing day, call your doctor.
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I'm so thrilled my husband is feeling better! It helps that he was such a great patient! :) I have found in my so far short-lived life, that one of the key element for a surefire recovery is
REST, REST, REST!
The body can work on fighting the sickness when it doesn't have to worry about us walking, running, cooking, working, or mowing the lawn etc. God created the body to be able to fight off infections and such, we need to let it do it's thing!
When we let the body rest the time it needs to when we're sick, recovery comes quicker. When we think we're ready to get going and do thing (and we know we shouldn't), our sickness usually hangs on longer. Seems pretty straight forward to me...
I'm so thankful to be learning these things and wanted to pass them along. Hope this is helpful to you and yours!
Megan
Ps. Another helpful Webmd article: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/treating-flu-at-home
And as a disclaimer, I hold no medical license of any sort.
