Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Check with your doctor if you think you are sick. These recipes are not an attempt to diagnose or treat any illness.
This section will list and link to recipes that help certain common conditions.
Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sounds like an oxymoron in today's society. Yet many people with chronic illnesses suffer from it. Even people with diabetes who accidentally take too much insulin may need an adjustment.
Sugar Water Recipe - For a sudden fall, sugar amount can be increased.
Peanut Butter Candy - Eat up to half a cup.
Low Salt
Another health concern many people don't realize exists. Generally, this occurs in three populations:
The elderly who are on a strict no salt diet
Those who exercise vigorously in high temperatures
Chronic illnesses such as POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).
Sweating removes salt from the body.
Salt is required for muscles and organs to work properly.
Eating a non processed food diet, or a no salt diet, can cause the body to not retain enough salt.
Generally, a dash of salt per dish is plenty.
Verify with a doctor if you have concerns about average sodium levels.
After working and sweating outside in summer, an extra dash of salt is a good idea. Or, any lengthy time in temperatures above 90 degrees, that cause sweating, even with a fan.
To regain lost salt, eat a naturally salty meal.
The best recipes to increase salt temporarily are often fish recipes.
Lobster Stew
Shrimp Stir Fry
Salt Water
Sore Throat
Commonly, sore throats are allergy and sinus drainage related. While waiting on an appointment, or if one dose of the following recipes does not help, check with a doctor.
Apple and Ginger Ale Cider
Apple and Tea Cider
Honey Lemon Tea
Hot Apple Whiskey Tea (Apple and Tea Cider with a tablespoon of whiskey)
Too Hot
Feeling warm is a good thing. Feeling too hot isn't. Actual body temperatures above 105 can be dangerous. Contact a doctor if body temperature rises above 105.
In general, to cool off try:
1. Taking shoes and sock off. If this doesn't work,
2. Place feet in cool water. If this doesn't work,
3. Eat sherbet or ice cream. If this doesn't work,
4. Try a frozen rice sock on your face, forehead, or feet. (See Rice Socks) If this doesn't work,
5. Try a cool, not cold bath. If this doesn't work,
6. Contact a doctor.
Interesting note: In some parts of the world, people add layers to sweat more in order to to cool off faster. Adding layers is generally not recommended in medical situations, or high environmental temperatures.
Sometimes, feeling too warm is a body's out of sync reaction to change, temperature, stress, or a full stomach. In this case, adding layers may add comfort, decreasing the feeling of overheating.
Rice Socks
1. Choose a knee length clean sock.
2. Sew closed any visible holes, except the top.
3. Fill with up to 2.5 pounds of dried rice. (If using on the neck, have your medical doctor clarify the weight you can use.)
4. Sew the hole at the top closed.
Rice socks can also be frozen to use in summer to cool down in a hurry.
Rice socks can be heated in a microwave for over a minute, and placed directly on sore muscles. Be careful, as it can burn the skin if too hot.
Too Cold
Many people scoff at the idea of being too cold, thinking they can always add more layers. After two or three layers, a person will actually feel colder.
Cold for people who have chronic illnesses is very dangerous.
Skin that is cold to the touch is not normal.
Hypothermia can occur regardless of environmental temperatures. In hypothermia, the body temperature drops below a healthy functioning temperature.
Many common signs that are seen daily in office environments: confusion, shivering, poor coordination, holding the arms close to the body, and frequent restroom breaks.
How to warm a too cold person up:
1. Add a heated blanket. Be cautious of burning numb skin.
2. Heat from the inside out. Drink very warm, not too hot tea.
3. Slight exercise to warm up the muscles. (Arm and ankle movements).
4. Increase food and warm liquid.
5. A warm bath.
Generally, alcohol is not recommended for hypothermia caused by being in the outdoor elements (it increases heat loss in the extremities).
However, for some people, if their internal temperatures drop too low, and it is from being in a cold indoor environment (like cold offices), the only way to warm them up after all else has failed, may be a single alcoholic drink and a warm bed. If used in this way, limit to one alcoholic drink, and no more than one or two a month.
Comments