As the flu season progresses, so does the chorus of advice to drink plenty of fluids and take fever-reducing medication.
The recommendations are well-intentioned and firmly entrenched and offer comfort to those who have had a vaccine. You may be surprised to learn that the science supporting these recommendations is speculative and harmful.
I study how the body regulates fluids and temperatures. I can tell you, based on a wide body of evidence, that increased fluid intake and taking fever reducers are not always helpful in your recovery. It could be harmful in some instances.
When sick or after a vaccine, there is a reason why the temperature should be kept low. Both aspirin andamp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/ New studies show that the immune response to infections may be weakened by the use of these medications.
Fevers are a regulated increase in core body temperature as a response to unwantedMicrobes The higher the disease the higher the temperature.
The body has evolved to recover from infections if it has a high temperature. It's beneficial for many species to have a cold.
It comes with a price. Too high a body temperature can be fatal. The metabolism goes up 10% when the temperature goes up, the body starts to burn more calories, and the body releases hormones to keep the temperature down.
Studies show what can happen when fever reducers are put into this dance. It has been shown that aspirin and acetaminophen can cause people to feel better, but they can also spread the disease.
A placebo-controlled study showed that people with a cold who took aspirin or acetaminophen for a week had a reduced immune response. A study showed that taking aspirin reduced the symptoms but increased the number of people who died.
The results of some of those traditional studies are still valid today. There would be more flu cases and flu-related deaths if everyone took the suppressants. The growth of the virus within the lungs can be reduced by increasing the body temperature. The rate of death and disease can be reduced with the help of the body's innate immune system.
To prevent dehydration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends drinking more fluids when you are sick or have a vaccine. There isn't much scientific evidence to back this recommendation.
It is true that drinking fluids when dehydrated reduces the risk of illness. Not everyone with a high temperature is dehydration-prone. It is not advisable to force fluids beyond thirst for those who aren't thirsty.
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More high-quality studies are needed after a study found that increasing fluid intake when sick may not offer benefits. There was a chance of overhydration. It is too much for some people. In severe cases, excessive fluid intake can cause seizure or coma.
This happens because of something. Antidiuretic hormones are released by the body in order to stop the spread of the disease. The body doesn't have as much water as it used to because of the diminished urinalysis. Hyponatremia is a potentially fatal medical condition in which a patient's blood sodium levels are too low if they drink too much water.
Nearly a quarter of patients who came to the hospital with COVID-19 had hyponatremia. Hyponatremia caused the need for breathing support to increase. The condition can cause poorer outcomes in COVID-19 patients.
Maybe it's time to change the conventional wisdom. Stay warm, even use blankets, if the temperature is mild or moderate. Your body can fight the disease if you take a break. Your metabolism is on top of it's game. It's a good idea to use fever-reducing medications only a few times a year. Don't drink if you're thirsty and only drink if you're tolerant.
If you're fighting a vaccine side effect, sip warm liquids that contain salt. Hyponatremia can be avoided with the help of brothels containingsodium. Chicken soup may be a better alternative to water if you get a flu or a high temperature.
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