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Fight Colds and Flu Symptoms with These Natural Treatments

Along with over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu, there are some effective, research-based remedies to reduce cold and flu symptoms, and in some cases help prevent the onset of colds and flu.

Before modern medicine, our ancestors had to rely on home remedies. Below are a few over foods, supplements and treatments used in the past to prevent and relieve symptoms of colds and flu. They can have their place alongside our over-the-counter drugs to relieve cold and flu symptoms.

Honey – cough suppressant and antibacterial

Honey has a variety of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Honey has been found to be an effective cough suppressant. Raw honey has a variety of antibacterial properties. Honey may contain botulism spores that are usually in a small enough amount to not bother older children and adults, however: do not give to children under the age of 1. Their immune system isn’t mature enough to fight off the spores. When using honey, buy raw, local honey if possible.

Garlic – powerful antiviral

Since ancient times, garlic has been used to prevent and treat infectious diseases. Garlic in its raw form has powerful antiviral properties called active organosulfur compounds (OSCs). Evidence points to its ability to prevent viral infections, such as colds and flu. According to the Johns Hopkins website on Lupus,(lupus is an autoimmune disease) garlic should be avoided due to its active ingredients- allicin, ajoene, and thiosulfinates, which can overstimulate your immune system.

Echinacea – immune system booster

Echinacea is a flowering plant that grows in the U.S. and Canada that has been used as medicine for centuries.

Native Americans have long used the herb and root of the echinacea plant for medicinal purposes.

Echinacea contains various bioactive compounds, including alkamides, polysaccharides, and caffeic acid derivatives, which can boost your immune system and reduce inflammation.

Caution: Care must be taken if autoimmune disease is present as echinacea, by its very nature of activating the immune system, could trigger a flareup of autoimmune disease. According to the Johns Hopkins website on what to avoid when diagnosed with Lupus (an autoimmune disease), just like garlic, echinacea can overstimulate the immune system and bring on an autoimmune flare.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that plays an important roles in your body, including supporting the immune system. It is also valuable in treating respiratory and allergic responses because of its anti-inflammatory effects. It is best to get your vitamin C from foods, however that isn’t always possible.

Good dietary sources of vitamin C include:

  • citrus fruits
  • red peppers
  • green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli

Rosehips are a good source of vitamin C. Boil and strain rosehips and sip on the tea. Add honey and lemon juice to boost immunity, calm a cough and clear phlegm.

Probiotics – enhance immunity

Probiotics are “friendly” bacteria and yeast that are present in your body, some foods, and supplements. They support protein breakdown, fight inflammation, and enhance immune function.

Sauerkraut and other fermented vegies offer a powerhouse of health benefits. Irritable bowel patients (IBS) sufferers have reported relief of symptoms.

Probiotics can keep your gut and immune system healthy and may reduce your chance of getting sick with an upper respiratory infection and shorten duration of an infection. When purchasing probiotics, select one that has active colony forming units (CFUs) and has probiotic count in the billions.The probiotics that can help with cold and flu symptoms are in the Bacillus , Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium species.

Caution must be taken with people who are undergoing any chemo or immune therapy. Always consult your primary care provider.

Saltwater gargle – can reduce and loosen mucus, which contains bacteria and allergens.

  • Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a full glass of water.
  • Swish it around your mouth and throat.
  • Spit it out.

Salt pipe – an inhaler containing salt particles that provides respiratory relief. Salt pipes can be used in salt therapy, also known as halotherapy.

In the mid-1800s, Polish physician Feliks Boczkowski observed that salt miners didn’t have the same respiratory issues prevalent in other miners. During World War 2 German physician Karl Spannagel observed his patients had improved health after having hidden in salt caves

Salt pipes can be used for respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma, and bronchitis by reducing inflammation in airways and soothing irritated bronchus. It is also effective in relieving symptoms related to COPD and mold exposure.

Neti pots and other nasal irrigation devices for nasal congestion, sinus pressure and allergic rhinitis relief.

Nasal irrigation devices — which include neti pots, bulb syringes, squeeze bottles, and battery-operated pulsed water devices — are usually safe and effective products when used and cleaned properly. The can relief allergic rhinitis, sinus congestion and pressure. Using a saline spray or a neti pot may help clear nasal congestion and it might help with some symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection.

First, rinse only with distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water. Tap water isn’t safe for use as a nasal rinse because it’s not adequately filtered or treated. Some tap water contains low levels of organisms — such as bacteria and protozoa, including amoebas — that may be safe to swallow because stomach acid kills them. But in your nose, these organisms can stay alive in nasal passages and cause potentially serious infections. Check out the FDA site for more information on nasal irrigation.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

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Keeping you informed and safe.

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Fight Colds and Flu Symptoms with These Natural Treatments

Fight Colds and Flu Symptoms with These Natural Treatments

Along with over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu, there are some effective, research-based remedies to reduce cold and flu symptoms, and in some cases help prevent the onset of colds and flu. Before modern medicine, our ancestors had to...

read more
Are You One of the 14 Million Living in a Pharmacy Desert?

Are You One of the 14 Million Living in a Pharmacy Desert?

Scenario this winterAll the pharmacies have shut down or are on strike within a 2-hour radius of your home. Your daughter is in the beginning states of a full-blown asthma attack. You reach for her inhaler and find it empty, and no extra cartridges are to be found....

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Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared.
Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Are You One of the 14 Million Living in a Pharmacy Desert?

Scenario this winter

All the pharmacies have shut down or are on strike within a 2-hour radius of your home. Your daughter is in the beginning states of a full-blown asthma attack. You reach for her inhaler and find it empty, and no extra cartridges are to be found. The carton of nebulizer solution is also empty. Your child is wheezing and in panic mode. You try to console and calm her down, knowing anxiety will make symptoms worse. Frantic, you call her doctor. They advise going to the ER, which is almost as far away as the nearest pharmacy. Hospitals and clinics are overrun with patients with influenza, COVID, and a new virus that hasn’t yet been identified. Desperate, you call around to clinics, trying to find inhalers and there are none to be found.

You knew she was running low on her medication-you thought you had more time; it was on your To Do List. You should have planned better.

Don’t get caught off guard when it comes to your children’s health.

Pharmacy deserts coming to a city near you

The combined closing of over 1500 pharmacies over the past 2 years (Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid) and the gap these have left in access to medication is massive. Mail order and online pharmacies are filling the gap for chronic medications, however acute illnesses, pain medications and antibiotics are still prescribed and filled on the local level.

Pharmacies are shuttering their doors due to theft, finances, and widespread strikes. Supply chains in medications, food and everyday necessities are projected to be severely disrupted. Some medications may completely disappear altogether. We don’t make our many of our own medications in the states, so we are massively dependent upon China and India for most of our pharmaceuticals.

According to an independent study done September 2021, by Goodrx Health, 40 % of counties (representing over 41 million people) in the US are pharmacy deserts,-it takes over 15 minutes to drive to nearest pharmacy. South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, and Kansas have the largest number of counties that lack sufficient access to a local pharmacy. In addition, the white paper reveals that 80% of counties lack adequate healthcare infrastructure. Over a third of the U.S. population lives in a county where there is less than adequate access to pharmacies, primary care providers, hospitals, trauma centers, and/or low-cost health centers.

Like it or not, this is the new world we find ourselves in. This post COVID, world war 3, supply chain disruption, and medication shortages world. Add the possibility of nuclear war on the horizon. And potential food shortages. If this isn’t enough, widespread food poisonings have been reported, from contaminated onions, pork products, beef and poultry meatballs, burritos and more. (Find the complete up to date list from the FDA and bookmark this page for reference).  It’s enough to overwhelm even the most organized and prepared individual.

We will need to pull all our resources, keep a cool head, and focus on priorities.

2 is 1 and 1 is none. This can mean 2 things. First- if you are using up the product (such as an inhaler cartridge), and you don’t have an extra one in for the next time it is needed, you are now down to none. Another meaning-if one cartridge fails or malfunctions and you don’t have a backup, you are down to none-. Have extra lifesaving medicine or devices on hand.

As stated above, online and mail order pharmacies can fill the gap- but not for acute medications. And because of supply chain disruptions- or altogether shutdowns- you may be forced into seeking help at the nearest hospital or walk in clinic. Which is the very last place you want to be. Is your medicine chest stocked with supplies needed for all emergencies? Check out Jase Case and Jase Daily for your emergency stock of medications.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Recent Posts

Keeping you informed and safe.

Does Your Child Play Sports? Know the Signs of a Concussion

Does Your Child Play Sports? Know the Signs of a Concussion

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull,...

read more
Fight Colds and Flu Symptoms with These Natural Treatments

Fight Colds and Flu Symptoms with These Natural Treatments

Along with over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu, there are some effective, research-based remedies to reduce cold and flu symptoms, and in some cases help prevent the onset of colds and flu. Before modern medicine, our ancestors had to...

read more
Are You One of the 14 Million Living in a Pharmacy Desert?

Are You One of the 14 Million Living in a Pharmacy Desert?

Scenario this winterAll the pharmacies have shut down or are on strike within a 2-hour radius of your home. Your daughter is in the beginning states of a full-blown asthma attack. You reach for her inhaler and find it empty, and no extra cartridges are to be found....

read more
Is the CDC’s Low Influenza Activity Data Misleading?

Is the CDC’s Low Influenza Activity Data Misleading?

Warm days, cooler nights, and the brilliant, showy colors of foliage announce the arrival of fall. Sweaters, jackets, hats and gloves come out of their summer hibernation. Some days are warmer than others, but the crisp air reminds us that winter is just around the...

read more

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared.
Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Is the CDC’s Low Influenza Activity Data Misleading?

Warm days, cooler nights, and the brilliant, showy colors of foliage announce the arrival of fall.

Sweaters, jackets, hats and gloves come out of their summer hibernation. Some days are warmer than others, but the crisp air reminds us that winter is just around the corner.

Children are back in school, garden harvest is well underway. Holiday celebrations are just around the corner.

This is also cold and flu season.

The CDC, which monitors flu season activity is showing a lower-than-normal flu outbreak across the states. This is good news. We shouldn’t become complacent though, because the cold and flu season has just started and will last for several more months.

Chronic or pre-existing conditions

If you or any family member have a pre-existing condition- cardiac, respiratory, or compromised immune system- have all the supplies and medications stocked to avoid an emergency room trip in the middle of a cold, dark night.

There is a lot you can do to fight the flu, and even if you do get sick, a well-stocked medicine cabinet will help you avoid a trip to the doctor’s office.

Prevention

Many illnesses can be prevented with a robust immune system and lifestyle.

Maintain adequate vitamin D level

Living in the Northern hemisphere, especially 37 degrees latitude and higher can put you at risk for vitamin D deficiency. The sun’s rays are further away, leading to lower skin absorption. Vitamin D plays a valuable role in many disease processes, but especially well-documented in immune function. When taking a vitamin D supplement, be sure to take vitamin K2 to avoid calcium absorption dysregulation.

Take care of your stomach, and your stomach will take care of you

Up to 80 percent of our immune system is housed and lymphoid tissue in our gastrointestinal tract, having a healthy gut can help prevent and fight many illnesses and diseases. Eating probiotic rich foods, avoiding all forms of sugar, eating plenty of fiber rich foods feeding the healthy bacteria in your gut will help your body fight illness. Along with adequate nutrition, stay hydrated with non-caffeinated fluids. Sip on herbal teas and lemon water throughout the day to keep your immune system working at its best.

Laughter truly is the best medicine

Studies have shown that laughter, and enjoyable activities of any kind improve immune system function and decreases cortisol levels (stress hormone).

Get moving!

Exercise-whether it be a brisk walk in the park, indoor rebound jogging, or a trip to the gym will get lymphatic fluids moving. The lymphatic system is a series of vessels throughout the body where lymphatic fluid collects waste, dead cells, bacteria etc. throughout the body, where it is deposited into the bloodstream. Eventually the blood circulates and is filtered by the kidneys where the waste is expelled through urine.

Exercise can also reduce stress, improve mood, decrease cortisol levels (excess cortisol levels lowers immunity) and increase feel good hormones (endorphins).

Sleep – the great healer

Each phase of sleep contributes to cellular repair, growth, and tissue repair.

During NREM sleep, your body focuses on physical restoration. This is the stage where your body repairs and regrows tissues, including muscle and bone. REM sleep, on the other hand, is associated with cognitive and emotional processing.

Immune System Support: During sleep, the body produces and releases proteins that help regulate the immune response and promote healing.

Brain Detoxification: The glymphatic system, a waste clearance system in the brain is active during sleep and helps remove toxins and waste products.

Hormone Regulation: Sleep plays a role in regulating various hormones, including cortisol (stress hormone), insulin, and growth hormone. Sleep disruptions can negatively affect cortisol regulation, which can, in turn, impact the body’s healing and detoxification processes.

Avoid crowds or sick people

If you find yourself around crowds-out shopping, in the subway, around coworkers, or family members–even if they don’t appear sick – thoroughly wash your hands and avoid close contact. If there is an outbreak of cold, influenza, covid or other viruses you can reduce your chances of getting sick by keeping your distance.

Wash hands

Often and thoroughly. According to the CDC, hand washing alone can prevent 20 percent of respiratory infections. Use 60 percent alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if you are out in public and not able to adequately wash your hands.

Maintain excellent oral care

Brush teeth often and keep teeth cleaning appointments. Evidence points that excellent oral hygiene- can prevent influenza infection.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Recent Posts

Keeping you informed and safe.

Does Your Child Play Sports? Know the Signs of a Concussion

Does Your Child Play Sports? Know the Signs of a Concussion

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull,...

read more
Fight Colds and Flu Symptoms with These Natural Treatments

Fight Colds and Flu Symptoms with These Natural Treatments

Along with over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu, there are some effective, research-based remedies to reduce cold and flu symptoms, and in some cases help prevent the onset of colds and flu. Before modern medicine, our ancestors had to...

read more
Are You One of the 14 Million Living in a Pharmacy Desert?

Are You One of the 14 Million Living in a Pharmacy Desert?

Scenario this winterAll the pharmacies have shut down or are on strike within a 2-hour radius of your home. Your daughter is in the beginning states of a full-blown asthma attack. You reach for her inhaler and find it empty, and no extra cartridges are to be found....

read more
Is the CDC’s Low Influenza Activity Data Misleading?

Is the CDC’s Low Influenza Activity Data Misleading?

Warm days, cooler nights, and the brilliant, showy colors of foliage announce the arrival of fall. Sweaters, jackets, hats and gloves come out of their summer hibernation. Some days are warmer than others, but the crisp air reminds us that winter is just around the...

read more

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared.
Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Surviving a Nuclear Fallout: Vital Medications

As if the Russia Ukraine conflict wasn’t enough, all eyes and nations are focused on the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine. Even before the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, experts were warning of nuclear escalation, and recently Russia revoked a ban on atomic-weapons testing, prompting the US to perform a high-explosive nuclear experiment in Nevada.

A paper published by Homeland Security describes types of nuclear attacks, what areas would be affected and what to do in the event of a nuclear detonation- both short and long term. It is highly advised you head to the website and print this document off.

Medications That Can Protect You In The Event Of A Nuclear Fallout

Potassium iodide, Prussian Blue and EDTA are the most common medications given for nuclear fallout exposure.

Potassium Iodide (KI)

(Over the counter, however, seek care provider guidance on how and when to take)

The thyroid gland cannot tell the difference between stable and radioactive iodine.  KI acts to block radioactive iodine from being taken into the thyroid gland, it can help protect this gland from injury. Ingesting iodide tablets (KI) flood the thyroid gland and can protect the thyroid gland from absorbing the radioactive iodine from a nuclear incident.

It is also important to know what KI cannot do. KI cannot protect parts of the body other than the thyroid from radioactive iodine. KI cannot protect the body from any radioactive elements other than iodine. If radioactive iodine is not present, then taking KI is not protective.

How to take potassium iodide?

Only take potassium iodide if state or local health authorities suggest you do so. During an emergency, health officials will send out an announcement. Your health department will then tell you when it’s OK to take potassium iodide. They’ll also tell you when you can stop the medication.

Excerpt from FDA recommendations

How much potassium iodide (KI) should I take?

The FDA has approved two different forms of KI—tablets and liquid—that people can take by mouth after a nuclear radiation emergency. Tablets come in two strengths, 130 milligram (mg) and 65 mg. The tablets are scored so they may be cut into smaller pieces for lower doses. Each milliliter (mL) of the oral liquid solution contains 65 mg of KI.  According to the FDA, the following doses are appropriate to take after internal contamination with (or likely internal contamination with) radioactive iodine:

  • Adults should take 130 mg (one 130 mg tablet OR two 65 mg tablets OR two mL of solution). Children who are adult size (greater than or equal to 150 pounds) should take the full adult dose, regardless of their age.
  • Women who are breastfeeding should take the adult dose of 130 mg.
  • Children between 3 and 18 years of age should take 65 mg (one 65 mg tablet OR 1 mL of solution).
  • Infants and children between 1 month and 3 years of age should take 32 mg (½ of a 65 mg tablet OR ½ mL of solution). This dose is for both nursing and non­nursing infants and children.
  • Newborns from birth to 1 month of age should be given 16 mg (¼ of a 65 mg tablet or ¼ mL of solution). This dose is for both nursing and non-­nursing newborn infants.
  • NOTE: Newborn infants should only be given potassium iodide under the direction of a healthcare provider. Their underdeveloped thyroid is at risk for developing low thyroid. Thyroid function tests are indicated after iodide has been administered and the radioactive event has passed.

Medical conditions in which taking potassium iodide may be harmful:

Taking KI may be harmful for some people because of the high levels of iodine in this medicine.

You should not take KI if:

  • You know you are allergic to iodine (If you are unsure about this, consult your doctor.
  • A Seafood or shellfish allergy does not necessarily mean that you are allergic to iodine.
  • Certain skin disorders (such as dermatitis herpetiformis or urticaria vasculitis).
  • People with thyroid disease (for example, multinodular goiter, Graves’ disease, or autoimmune thyroiditis).

Food and drug interactions

There are no known food or drug interactions when taking potassium iodide.

Side effects of potassium iodide

When taken as directed KI has few side effects.

Some of the more common side effects are:

  • Skin rashes
  • Inflammation of the salivary glands
  • GI upset

Prussian Blue (Common Brand Name: Radiogardase)

(By prescription only)

Note- Do NOT ingest Prussian blue pigment sold commercially, this practice is dangerous and potentially harmful.

Prussian blue is a pill that may be used in a radiation emergency to help remove radioactive cesium and thallium from the body. Prussian blue traps radioactive cesium and thallium in the intestines and keeps them from being reabsorbed by the body. Prussian blue decreases the half-life of cesium by 33% and from 3.8 to 2.2 days for thallium, The rate of cesium and thallium elimination is proportional to the dose and duration of Prussian blue.

Prussian blue comes in capsule form, and can be taken with or without food, however it is advised to take with food to stimulate secretion of cesium or thallium.

Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after contamination is suspected. Even when delayed, treatment is effective and should not be withheld.

Dosage:

For oral dosage form (capsules):

For cesium poisoning:

  • Adults and teenagers—3 grams (6 capsules) three times a day.
  • Children 2 to 12 years of age—1 gram (2 capsules) three times a day.
  • Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For thallium poisoning:

  • Adults and teenagers—3 grams (6 capsules) three times a day.
  • Children 2 to 12 years of age—1 gram (2 capsules) three times a day.
  • Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Notify your care provider before taking if:

  • You are pregnant or nursing.
  • Have any allergic reactions to Prussian blue coloring in foods or medications.
  • Arrhythmia (heart rhythm problem) or
  • Electrolyte imbalance—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Blockage of the intestines or constipation.
  • Stomach or bowel problems—May increase risk for constipation.
  • Liver disease—May not work properly in patients with this condition.

Treatment may last 30 days or longer.

Food and drug interactions

There are no known food interactions.

The absorption of many drugs decreases when Prussian blue is added. Some of these are:

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • Skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
  • Fast, irregular heartbeat
  • Muscle pain or weakness, cramps

Mild side effects:

  • Blue colored stools
  • Constipation
  • Upset stomach

EDTA

Prescription medicine, given by injection into the vein (intravenously) or into the muscle (intramuscularly) when used to treat radiation and lead poisoning. It is also found in pill form.

In addition to treating poisonings by radioactive materials such as plutonium, thorium, uranium, and strontium, EDTA is used to treat lead poisoning and brain damage caused by lead poisoning.

EDTA has many other uses, from treating calcium deposits in the eye (eyedrops) to high calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia) and treating heart rhythm problems.

Drug and food interactions

Allergy to EDTA has been reported, however no interactions with food

Drugs: There are 21 known drug interactions with EDTA

Side effects

  • EDTA is safe when used as a prescription medicine, as eye drops, and in small amounts as a preservative in foods.
  • EDTA can cause abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, low blood pressure, skin problems, and fever.
  • It is UNSAFE to use more than 3 grams of EDTA per day, or to take it longer than 5 to 7 days. Too much can cause kidney damage, dangerously low calcium levels, and death.

Special precautions and warnings (From RX List website):

  • Pregnancy and breast-feeding: EDTA seems to be safe when used in food amounts. The safety of larger amounts is unknown.
  • Asthma: Nebulizer solutions containing disodium EDTA as a preservative can cause the breathing tubes to narrow in some people with asthma. The size of the dose determines the amount of the narrowing.
  • Heart rhythm problems: EDTA might make heart rhythm problems worse.
  • Diabetes: EDTA might interfere with blood sugar control because it can interact with insulin.
  • Low calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia): EDTA can decrease serum calcium levels, making hypocalcemia worse.
  • Low potassium (hypokalemia): EDTA can bind with potassium and increase the amount of potassium that is flushed out in the urine. This might cause potassium levels to drop too low, especially in people who have low levels to begin with. If you have this problem, don’t use EDTA.
  • Low magnesium levels in the blood (hypomagnesemia): EDTA can bind with magnesium and increase the amount of magnesium that is flushed out in the urine. This might cause magnesium levels to drop too low, especially in people who have low levels to begin with. If you have this problem, don’t use EDTA.
  • Liver problems and hepatitis: EDTA might make liver disease worse. Avoid using EDTA if you have a liver condition.
  • Kidney problems: EDTA can harm the kidney and might make kidney disease worse. EDTA doses should be reduced in patients with kidney disease. Avoid using EDTA if you have severe kidney disease or kidney failure.
  • Seizures (epilepsy): There is some concern that EDTA might increase the risk of seizure in people with epilepsy or in people who tend to have seizures. EDTA can cause severe decreases in blood levels of calcium, and this can cause a seizure.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Recent Posts

Keeping you informed and safe.

Does Your Child Play Sports? Know the Signs of a Concussion

Does Your Child Play Sports? Know the Signs of a Concussion

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull,...

read more
Fight Colds and Flu Symptoms with These Natural Treatments

Fight Colds and Flu Symptoms with These Natural Treatments

Along with over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu, there are some effective, research-based remedies to reduce cold and flu symptoms, and in some cases help prevent the onset of colds and flu. Before modern medicine, our ancestors had to...

read more
Are You One of the 14 Million Living in a Pharmacy Desert?

Are You One of the 14 Million Living in a Pharmacy Desert?

Scenario this winterAll the pharmacies have shut down or are on strike within a 2-hour radius of your home. Your daughter is in the beginning states of a full-blown asthma attack. You reach for her inhaler and find it empty, and no extra cartridges are to be found....

read more
Is the CDC’s Low Influenza Activity Data Misleading?

Is the CDC’s Low Influenza Activity Data Misleading?

Warm days, cooler nights, and the brilliant, showy colors of foliage announce the arrival of fall. Sweaters, jackets, hats and gloves come out of their summer hibernation. Some days are warmer than others, but the crisp air reminds us that winter is just around the...

read more

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared.
Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Should You Send Your Child to School When They Say They Have a Stomachache?

Jase Case Image

This is a dilemma that plays out daily in thousands of households across America. You are getting your children ready for school, and your son or daughter says that they don’t feel good. You ask, how don’t you feel good, while feeling their forehead, which is warm but don’t seem to be sick.

Your child says that they have a stomachache, and they just don’t feel good. They don’t have diarrhea, are not vomiting, aren’t running a fever, no sinus congestion, cough, or any other signs of being ill. What should you do?

Determine the cause

Has your child been under excessive stress or prone towards test anxiety? Are they supposed to do a presentation in front of their appears? Is there anything going on with friends or school that could cause them to not want to go to school? Many times, stomach aches can be traced to something going on at school. This is especially true if there are no other symptoms.

On the other hand, if the stomach flu is going around the school or in your home, or you suspect food poisoning, you may want to keep them home.

What to do

If you suspect your child is having trouble at school-either struggling with test anxiety, feeling overwhelmed with school, trouble with peers or teachers-talk with your child and the guidance counselor at their school to get to the root cause. It may take a bit of coaxing but be persistent. Let your child know you care and want to help.

Many children are feeling the stress of what’s going on in the world, and they’re unable to communicate these feelings. They tend to not express emotions and many don’t have skills to identify and cope with life’s stressors.

We are facing a mental health crisis with our children.

The American Psychological Association, APA, has published a 2023 trends report which included an article titled “Children’s Mental Health is In Crisis”. Even before the pandemic, feelings of sadness and hopelessness, as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors, had increased by 40% among young people. “We’re seeing a really high rate of suicide and depression, and this has been going on for a while,” said psychologist Kimberly Hogwood, PhD a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine.” It certainly got worse during the pandemic”.

Social media, world events and readjusting to the post pandemic world has created the perfect recipe for a mental health crisis.

How to meet the needs of the children with the shortage of providers

Because of limited resources and providers, some children are on waiting for more than 6 months for mental health support.

  • Telehealth is bridging the gap between providers, families and children and is providing some relief to the strained system. Telehealth is a promising way of delivering mental health services because of the flexibility in scheduling- they can hold appointments during or after school, and in a variety of settings.
  • What Works in Schools Program, is a CDC funded program in which school districts make changes to foster school connectedness.
  • Developed by the mental health technology transfer center network and the University of Maryland National Center for school mental health, Classroom WISE is a free online course and resource library that educates on mental health, behavioral regulation, mental health literacy and trauma.

There is no quick and easy fix to this mental health crisis, but there are a few things you can do to help your child/children avoid a mental health crisis.

  • Create a safe and supportive environment. Children are very much in tune with how adults handle situations and how they view the world. Being emotionally and physically present can be a huge buffer to what is going on outside your home- either in school or the world.
  • Encourage open communication and active listening. Active listening is being fully engaged while another person is talking to you. It is listening with the intent to understand the other person fully, rather than listening to respond. It is a skill that has gone by the wayside because of our easy and quick access to multiple streams of information flooding our lives.
  • Provide structure and consistency. Both structure and consistency are the foundation in which mental health rests. Once you have established a framework of structure- what is expected and what to expect and are consistent in enforcing these expectations, children will feel more secure in opening up and expressing their feelings.
  • Encourage positive relationships with peers and adults. Know who your childrens friends are- and their parents. Invite them over, spend time with them. If you feel one of their friends is an unhealthy influence, calmly talk to your child about why you feel that way. Let them know you are looking out for their wellbeing and limit or exclude friends that are an unhealthy influence. This also goes for teachers and other adults your child knows. Listen to your child if they express any apprehension or anxiety about any adult in their life. Act accordingly.
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  • Limit screen time, and social media and encourage outdoor activities. Set a timer, add parental controls, block social media, and know what your child is doing on the computer. Be consistent. Internet predators can cause immense psychological harm to your child. Encourage outdoor activities, sports, walking the dog, anything to get your child out in the fresh air and away from screens. A recent Gallup poll revealed that 51 percent of teens (age 13-19) spend at minimum 4 hours on social media, with an average of 4.8 hours a day. (You Tube, Tik Tok, Facebook, Instagram, and X(formerly Twitter )),
  • Model healthy stress management techniques. Children learn by example. Limiting computer time, healthy eating, exercise and healthy relationships are some examples of healthy stress management. Include your children in your activities as you are able. This will provide a solid foundation for your child to avoid a mental health crisis.

Help in time of a mental health crisis is a phone call away

9-8-8 is the national number for suicide prevention and mental health crises. This number, (like local 911 emergency), is a 24/7 national crisis response number that can put you in touch with someone that can help. 

If you, your child or someone you care for is experiencing a mental health crisis there is help. Check the National Hotline for Mental Health Crises And Suicide Prevention.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

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Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

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Are You Ready for What is Already Here?

(5 tips to build resilience)

Every day that we turn on the news we are hit with something new that could not only destabilize countries across the seas, but can  have serious implications  for our lives in the states.

  • World War 3 is trying to kick off (Some people believe it is already here), food, drug and medical supply shortages are continuing to make headlines.
  • Healthcare workers, transportation and auto makers are striking, have already striked or threatening to strike.
  • Add to this, Rite Aid has filed for bankruptcy, citing slumping sales, opioid litigation, and rising shoplifting in stores. Founded in 1962, this longstanding pharmacy chain has 2,000 stores across the country. They plan to restructure the business and close underperforming stores, affecting 47,000 employees. ( This isn’t the only pharmacy chain experiencing trouble- Pharmacy staff from Walgreens, other chains could stage nationwide walkout and rallies in coming weeks).
  • From 2018 to 2022, the all-food Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by a total of 20.4 percent. Food prices increased faster in 2022 than any year since 1979, due in part to a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak and the conflict in Ukraine.

 The top price increases were felt in transportation, food, housing, and medical care.

The following graphs are an eye-opening account of where consumer dollars were spent from 2018-2022:

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One-third of the U.S. food dollar spent on eating-out services in 2021

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Food expenditures for 2022 were an astounding 56 percent of total food dollars spent.

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What you can do about it

Where inflation is hitting the pocketbook the most and where consumers are spending their money are in necessary purchases.

  1. Learn to cook- you will save money and eat healthier

Eating out isn’t good for you- for both your pocketbook and your overall health. Many restaurants serve prepackaged food that is loaded with salt, fats, and flavor enhancers (I have family in the restaurant industry). Meal planning can be the biggest obstacle to eating at home. Cooking at home revives traditions and recipes handed down through generations. It can be a bonding experience with your children or spouse.

  1. Eating healthier leads to a lesser chance of developing chronic diseases

Research points to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, colorectal and breast cancer when following a healthy diet. (Low sugar, high fiber and adequate healthy fats and protein. ( Check out the Mediterranean diet) Healthy eating also can help decrease depression and other mental health symptoms. A healthy diet also improves your immune system. Up to 80 percent of our immune system is housed in our gastrointestinal tract.

  1. Living a healthier lifestyle saves money-and frees up cash for other necessities

Money that would go to chronic disease management could be put towards preparing for our uncertain future. Housing and transportation were among the top price increases. Freeing up cash for upcoming increases in gas and home heating (oil could go to $150 a barrel if conflicts across the globe escalate) will put you that much further ahead.

One way to beat the upcoming transportation costs is to walk, cycle (check out e-bikes- they are coming down in price and are gaining popularity) carpooling to grocers and appointments and finding close to home activities.

Audit your present medical supplies and prescriptions. Get them refilled as far in advance as possible. As a reminder, Jase Daily provides a years’ worth of chronic prescription medications if you are unable to obtain an extended supply locally. Given the escalating tensions across the globe and pharmacies experiencing unrest and shortages, this should be a priority.

  1. Set a budget and stick to it.

 Taking control of your finances and budgeting for necessities is necessary in navigating this uncertain world. Start a journal and record all your expenditures for a month. This exercise will reveal a tremendous amount of information as to where your money goes. At the end of the month, analyze your expenditures. You may see a pattern or discover ways of trimming the budget with little effort. There are classes and apps for budgeting you can take from the comfort of your home, if you need guidance.

  1. Reward yourself and family when you have met your goals

Focus on solutions. There is plenty of drama in the media and news reports pulling all of us into the problems (which are real) of the world. Most of what is going on we have no control over. Take a vacation from the computer and phone on a regular basis. Your mental health will thank you for it.

Plan for the future by investing in yourself and those you love. Overcoming obstacles brings families, friends and communities together, creating a more resilient life for all.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Recent Posts

Keeping you informed and safe.

These Days are The Most Deadly for Heart Attacks

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(Heart healthy hacks series)According to the American Heart Association. the 3 deadliest days in the calendar year for cardiac deaths are: in first place, December 25th, second is December 26th  and third deadliest is January 1st . There are several possible reasons...

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