|
Strep Throat -
Homeopathic Treatment of Strep Throat
Streptococcal Pharyngitis,
strep throat or severe sore throat is an irritation and
swelling of the pharynx (the part of the throat between
the tonsils and the larynx or voice box) caused by
streptococcus infection which is very contagious. In
rare cases, an untreated Strep throat can cause
complications like peritonsillar
abscess,
arthritis, heart problems from a disease called
rheumatic fever, inflammation of the kidneys. All sore
throats are not caused by strep bacteria. Many sore
throats can also be caused by a viral illness like the
common cold, Infection of the voice box (laryngitis),
Mononucleosis (mono, "the kissing disease"), a viral
infection that tends to cause a persistent sore throat
and other viral infections, such as
javascript:AddNavBar('../health_guide_atoz/stm159632.asp');
mumps or
influenza.
Causes of Strep Throat
Strep throat is caused by
Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteria, most
commonly from October to April, often in children 5 to
15 years old but also in adults. The infection is spread
by direct person-to-person contact with nasal secretions
or saliva. Strep bacteria succeed wherever groups of
people are in close contact. That's why they spread
easily among family members, in schools and in
child-care settings.
Symptoms of Strep
Throat
-
Sudden, severe sore
throat without a cold or runny nose.
-
Throat pain or
difficulty swallowing even saliva.
-
Red and swollen tonsils,
sometimes with white or yellow spots on the back of
the throat.
-
Fever over 101 °F.
-
Tender,
swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
-
General discomfort and
uneasy feeling.
-
Stomachache and
sometimes vomiting.
-
Loss of appetite.
-
Skin
rash may be present.
-
Neck pain & headache.
-
Abnormal taste in mouth.
-
Joint pain.
Homeopathic medicines can
be used as an effective alternative to antibiotics in
cases of Strep throat. Antibiotics have a number of
disadvantages. They kill bacteria indiscriminately
throughout the body. So, for example, if you have a
strep throat, the antibiotic you take kills the strep
bacteria as well as the good bacteria, lactobacillus, in
the gut and the vagina, which you need to crowd out
Candida (yeast) if it arises. That's why vaginal and
intestinal yeast infections are so common after
antibiotic use. Although the antibiotics may be
effective in getting rid of the bacteria temporarily,
they do not change the factors that led to the infection
in the first place, and the bacteria will again return
to those environments that are favorable for their
growth, example a low immune system.
The immune system is a
body wide network of cells and organs that has evolved
to defend the body against attacks by foreign bodies
such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses.
Homeopathic medicines will work with the body’s own
healing mechanisms and destroy the strep bacteria. It
can also help prevent some of the complications related
either to the strep infection itself or to the body's
immune response to the infection. It will also
relieve a person's discomfort and speed healing to some
degree without the use of antibiotics. It will stimulate
the immune system so that the tendency to recurrent
Strep throat goes away.
Homeopathic remedies are
gentle and easy to take and are regulated by the FDA and
prepared according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopia of the
United States.
Along with homeopathic
medicines these home tips will help relieve symptoms of
strep throat:
-
Get plenty of rest.
-
Eat soothing foods like
broths, soups, applesauce, cooked cereal, mashed
potatoes, soft fruits, yogurt, cooked eggs, cold foods
such as sherbet, frozen yogurt, frozen fruit pops or
just plain ice may also be soothing.
-
Avoid spicy foods,
acidic foods such as orange juice, which might
irritate your tender throat.
-
Gargling with warm
saltwater, lemon juice and honey in warm water
relieves sore throat pain.
-
Drink extra fluids and increase humidity (moisture
in the air) in your home with the help of a
humidifier. Humidity helps keep your mucous membranes
moist and more resistant to bacteria.
-
Avoiding sneezing or
coughing on others.
-
Wash your hands after
blowing your nose, after caring for a child with a
Strep throat, before cooking and eating.
-
Throw away used tissues.
-
Throwing out your
toothbrush as soon as you feel sick. Replace it again
when you are well. Bacteria can collect on the
bristles and reinfect you.
-
Stay away from irritants
like fumes from paint or cleaning products, cigarette
smoke can irritate a sore throat.
-
Wash dishes, drinking
glasses, knives, forks, and spoons in hot, soapy
water.
-
Keep sores and cuts
clean because strep can get in there and cause
problems, too.
-
Since stress may
increase your risk of illness, try to manage the
tension in your life.
-
If a toddler with Strep
throat has been chewing or sucking on toys, wash these
objects thoroughly in water and disinfectant soap,
then rinse well.
-
Do not allow a child who
has been diagnosed with strep throat to return to
school or day care until he or she has been taking
treatment for at least 24 hours and symptoms have
improved.
Hence, to relieve the
symptoms of strep throat by promoting the immune system
with the help of a safe, natural and effective treatment
consider homeopathy.
Where Can I Learn More?
Contact the AMCH Clinic or
Neepa Sevak if you are interested in scheduling an
appointment.
____________________________________________________
About the author:
Neepa Sevak
(DHMS, DHom, DIHom, DHM, CCH, RSHom (NA), HMA)
is registered with the Arizona Homeopathic Board of
Medical Examiners, and certified by the Council of
Homeopathic certification. She is currently practicing
Classical Homeopathy and is on the Board of
International Affairs at the American Medical College of
Homeopathy. Her mission is to “Promote Health through
Homeopathy with a Holistic, Totalistic, and
Individualistic approach”.
Phone: (480) 363 0758
Email:
homeopathiccure@cox.net
Website:
www.homeopathic-cure.com
|
