Since we were children, we have been taught that if you have a fever, it is a bad thing and we need to lower our temperature or something bad can happen. Now researchers are telling us that this may not be a good idea. It turns out that our body "may" actually know what it is doing and if we interfere with the natural process we could have more of what we are trying to avoid.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have publicly stated what chiropractors and other drug-free, vitalistic healers have been saying for a long time: taking aspirin or Tylenol™ for the flu actually could prolong your illness by up to 3½ days. Fever is the body's natural way of fighting an infection and taking aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol™) interferes with your body’s natural healing process.
Dr. Leland Rickman, an associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego says "You're messing with Mother Nature". An elevated temperature "may actually help the body fight the infection quicker or better than if you don't have a fever." The researchers found that influenza A sufferers who were treated with aspirin or acetaminophen extended their illness from 5 days to about 8½ days. Aspirin and acetaminophen may prolong influenza A and possibly other viral infections according to researchers.
Chiropractic for colds and flu? But isn’t chiropractic just for back pain? Not at all. Many people who initially visit chiropractors for aches and pains discover to their surprise an improvement in their general health, including no or fewer (and less severe) colds, flu and other respiratory problems.
Dr. Kevin Dette is the clinic director at Pacific Family Chiropractic located in Downtown Vista. To schedule an appointment Call 760-643-9191
