Infection

Description

An infection is a condition caused by the growth of disease-causing pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi) in your body. These contagious agents develop in colonies and multiply, damaging the cells through a variety of means including the release of toxins or through allergic reactions.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of an infection include inflammation, pain, swelling, and pus development (abscess) at the site of infection. Fever, cough, sneezing, exhaustion, and intestinal dysfunction (diarrhea) can also arise due to infection.

Note: Antibiotics do not heal viruses and inflammation related conditions although they are often recommended for this purpose. Although antibiotics can be effective when used properly, especially for serious or life-threatening bacterial infections, their regular use is not advised. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has created multiple-drug-resistant microbial strains of, “super bug,” and is at risk of rendering antibiotics ineffective against life-threatening infections.

Moreover, antibiotics not only destroy harmful bacteria in the body but they also kill important bacteria in the intestinal tract, possibly causing digestive and gastrointestinal problems and systemic yeast (Candida albicans) overgrowth.

If you suspect you have a bacterial infection, ask your doctor to extract fluids from the contaminated area. If it is a bacterial infection, samples of various antibiotics can be added to the developing bacteria to determine what will be the most effective for killing the bacteria; this is called a sensitivity check. If you do take antibiotics, make sure to supplement with acidophilus throughout to protect healthy bacteria.

Caution: In the event that fever and pain in the joints occur, this may be an indication of an infectious ailment that is spreading throughout the entire body. Seek immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing these symptoms.

Natural Remedies

Aromatherapy: For fungal infections, cedarwood helps to heal and calm the infection. For injuries that have become infected, frankincense, tea tree, and/or patchouli can be helpful.

Diet: Consume fresh garlic and plain natural yogurt, and include other infection fighting foods, such as diluted and organic (absolutely no sugar added) orange juice, apple juice, grapes juice, cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, figs, cabbage, onions, algae, and raw honey. Avoid sugar in any form, and consume plenty of strained water.

Herbal treatments: Herbs that act as anti-infectious agents include Echinacea, goldenseal, garlic, grape, barberry, and adaptogenic herbs such as Siberian ginseng. Grapefruit seed extract also has strong antibiotic-like properties and may be applied topically or used orally. Olive leaf extract has both antibacterial and antiviral properties, making it useful for a wide range of infections.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the application of water, ice, steam and alternating hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Remedies include full body emersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a personal-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and day spas use hydrotherapy as part of their treatment. We recommend several at-home hydrotherapy remedies. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these types of procedures to make sure they are right for you.

Hyperthermia: Hyperthermia involves artificially creating fever in the body for the purpose of boosting immune function. Hyperthermia can be a highly effective method for ridding the body of toxins, metals, and infectious viruses and bacteria that cannot survive in elevated body temperatures. We recommend several at home hyperthermia remedies. Please seek the advice of your alternative healthcare practitioner before undergoing these types of sweat-inducing methods to ensure they are appropriate for you.

-Purified water is essential for any hydrotherapy remedy. Remedies involving purifying bath water offer clear instructions and remedies.

Juice Therapy: Combining the juices of carrot, celery, beet, cantaloupe, and ginger can be helpful.

Dietary Supplementation: Vitamin A is a healthy alternative to antibiotics and is usually effective for treating infections, specifically in the initial stages. Garlic capsules combined with vitamin C help aid bowel tolerance.

Note: This particular treatment should only be administered under your doctor’s care. The doses are for an average 150lb. adult and should be scaled down proportionately according to pounds. Vitamin A should be taken for at least 3 days, but for no more than 5 days. In addition, vitamin A in higher dosages can cause headaches in about 1% of those who utilize it. Should this happen, decrease your dosage.

Other useful nutrients for dealing with an infection include: Colloidal silver, EFA’s, bromelain (a molecule with anti-inflammatory properties), calcium, magnesium, vitamin B-complex, vitamin B6, and zinc.

Alternative Professional Treatment

If your signs and symptoms persist despite following the steps listed above, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following treatments have all been shown to be useful for treating an infection: Acupuncture, Craniosacral Therapy, Detoxification Therapy, Environmental Medicine, Permanent Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Treatments, Oxygen Treatment, Reflexology, and traditional Chinese Medicine. (See Glossary for descriptions of these Alternative Therapies.)