During the fight against infection, our body increases body temperature. We, often not understanding this, strive to remove the symptom. But grandmother’s advice to be wrapped in a blanket and sip hot tea in this case can only aggravate the situation.
1. Eat fatty or spicy foods.
When the temperature rises by 1 degree, the body’s metabolism accelerates, so it is imperative to eat. “Heavy” food (fried, spicy) is not suitable, because it creates additional work for the digestive system and prevents the body from fighting the infection.
The right approach:
- Eat fractional small meals.
- Include in the diet easily digestible foods rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins (fruits, berries, boiled vegetables, protein products).
- Any food should be at room temperature (you should not warm it).
2. Eat foods containing sugar
Scientists have found: an increase in the level of glucose in the body reduces the number of white blood cells, which are responsible for the destruction of infected cells. In other words, it will not be possible to get rid of the temperature very soon.
The right approach:
- If you want sweet, it is better to give preference to fruit.
3. Hot tea and coffee
High temperature dehydrates the body, so you need to drink a lot, but right. Hot tea or milk provokes increased heat, and the temperature rises. Separately, mention should be made of coffee: it is not recommended to drink it, as the drink dehydrates the body even more intensively.
The right approach:
- Drink warm tea, juices or water.
- If the temperature is not more than 38 ° C, you can pamper yourself with hot tea, but you should not get carried away anyway.
4. Milk
The composition of dairy products is casein protein, which is compacted under the action of high temperature. As a result, “rubber” porridge is formed in the stomach, which is very difficult to digest.
The right approach:
- To quench your thirst with tea, juice or plain water.
- Drink milk only after the temperature is knocked down.
5. Breastfeed
At temperatures above 38 ° C, the protein contained in the milk of a nursing mother thickens. Because of this, the taste of the mixture changes, and the baby may early refuse to breastfeed. In addition, this milk is digested with difficulty and sometimes leads to stool disorder.
The right approach:
- Bring the temperature down by safe means and only then start feeding.
- If the temperature lasts a long time, use an artificial mixture.
6. Aspirin
Aspirin lowers the temperature, but in large doses is categorically contraindicated with high pressure and heart problems. Children under the age of 16 do not recommend acetylsalicylic acid at all, because it can trigger Ray’s syndrome (swelling of the liver and brain).
The right approach:
Drink 1 tablet of aspirin to reduce the temperature.
Replace acetylsalicylic acid with paracetamol, which does not act so aggressively on the stomach and intestines.
7. Alcohol after paracetamol.
Paracetamol itself is safe and effective, but it has a hepatotoxic effect, that is, it has a negative effect on the liver. If you take a couple of pills, nothing will happen. In the case of alcohol, a blow to the liver will be double, and besides this, there may be unpleasant consequences in the form of nausea and urticaria.
The right approach:
Refrain from beverages containing ethyl alcohol during treatment. Even sweets with the addition of alcohol are better eaten not earlier than 4-6 hours after taking paracetamol.
8. Soak your feet and make hot inhalations.
Hot water increases blood flow and increases the already high temperature. Inhalation is useful to do with a cold and sore throat, because they do not relieve fever, but, on the contrary, increase it. The same applies to hot tubs.
The right approach:
- Soar feet at temperatures below 37.5 ° C.
- Do inhalation with ARVI and other colds, which occur without increasing the temperature.
9.Poor Ventilated Room
Dry stagnant air is a favorable breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. It can provoke a cough and malaise. Therefore, in the room in which there is a person with a high temperature, you need to organize air circulation. Airing will not only ease the condition of the patient but also help not to get infected by other family members.
The right approach:
- In the summer, keep the vents open all the time if no drafts are created.
- Ventilate the room at least 2 times a day: before bedtime and immediately after bedtime (the patient at this moment should be in another room).
- With very dry air, you can use a special humidifier or spray.
10. Cold compress and take a cool shower.
Sharp cooling will help reduce the temperature, but for a short time. This is an extreme method of “treatment”, and it is fraught to use it: when it freezes, the immune system weakens, which means that the body becomes more difficult to fight infection.
The right approach:
- Quickly take a warm shower if necessary.
- Wipe with a damp warm cloth to remove sweat.
11. Wrap ourselves in a blanket.
Wrapped in a blanket or putting on warm clothes, we increase the temperature even more, and because of this, the load on the heart and blood vessels increases. If you stay in such a steam room for too long, you may experience pressure drops and shortness of breath.
The right approach:
Wear lightweight cotton clothing that absorbs sweat.
You can wrap up when the temperature drops.
And how do you fight the heat?
Discussion about this post