How to cure Mono!

Mononucleosis, sometimes referred to a "mono," is an acute infectious, viral disease usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or cytomegalovirus, both of which belong to the Herpes virus group. Mono is often also referred to as "sleeping sickness," or "kissing sickness," since it is very contagious and is mainly transferred from one person to the other, through saliva, Though kissing is one of the most common ways for the EBV to spread, it is not the only way. You could also be exposed to the mono-causing virus in case you share food or utensils with an infected person. Fortunately, mono is not as contagious as some of the other similar infections, which include the common cold. In fact, most adults have been exposed to the virus at some time or the other and have developed antibodies towards it. Mono affects the lymph tissue, the respiratory system, and sometimes other organs such as the liver, spleen, and, rarely, the heart and kidneys, and presents with an increase of white abnormal blood cells and development of persistent antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus and short-lived antibodies to beef, horse, and sheep red blood cells. It is quite unlikely for you to experience the symptoms of mono immediately after exposure to the virus, as an incubation period of between 4 to 8 weeks is normal. However, younger children may show the symptoms a bit faster as compared to adults. In fact, since young kids have symptoms that are less severe, this condition may go unnoticed in them. Symptoms of mono include severe fatigue, headache, alternating chills and a high fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the neck. Symptoms can vary and be confusing because the mono viruses can affect different organs such as the spleen, liver, eyelids, and sometimes the heart. Ten percent of people with mono also develop rashes and/or darkened bruises in the mouth. Mono typically occurs between the ages of 14 -18, and only in people who have never before had antibodies to the viruses that cause it. Note: Mono`s symptoms are very similar to the flu, which must be ruled out. Almost all cases improve without drugs within four to six weeks. Though antibiotics are often prescribed for mono, in actuality they are of little use unless there is an associated bacterial infection. In addition, the antibiotic ampicillin will often make mono worse and should be avoided. Also avoid aspirin as it can create further complications in rare cases. In most instances mononucleosis is not very severe and gets resolved on its own within a few weeks. However, it is possible to suffer from chronic mono, which lasts for more than two or three weeks. Although, it is possible for mono to be recurrent, which means that you may get a relapse, after the condition is cured. In case you have a weakened immune system because of any health condition then the illness could be a bit more serious. This is also applicable if you are on any drugs to suppress your immune system, after an organ transplant. It is very important for you to be careful of certain complications that can arise from mono, such as an enlarged spleen or liver problems. Some of the less severe complications that have also been known to arise from the EBV include anemia, thrombocytopenia, heart inflammation, encephalitis, meningitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome and swollen tonsils. Proper treatment in the early stages of mononucleosis must emphasize appropriate bed rest. If there is enlargement of the spleen or liver, the rest may need to be prolonged and strenuous exercise must be avoided until these organs return to normal size. There are natural cures for Mononucleosis that do not involve the use of pharmaceutical drugs. These alternatives to classic mononucleosis treatments involve restoring the biochemical balance of the body, and making dietary and lifestyle changes designed to improve one's general health. Symptoms of Mononucleosis Given below are some of the most common signs and symptoms for mononucleosis: Breathing difficulty Appearance of a rash on the skin Changes in the color of the skin, as it takes on a yellowish tint Extreme weakness and fatigue Intense headaches or body aches Lack of appetite, often accompanied by weight loss Malaise Moderate to high fever Night sweats Sore throat, which is quite severe and does not seem to get better in spite of using antibiotics Swollen lymph nodes, glands and tonsillitis Infants and toddlers can also suffer from mono, but in such cases the symptoms are a little more subtle. Apart from the more common symptoms, babies may also show increased irritability. Some of them may refuse to eat or drink milk as normal. Unfortunately, the symptoms for mononucleosis are not exclusive and can be observed in many other health conditions. This is probably why the condition is not easily detected in younger people. Some of the symptoms, like fever, sore throat and headaches last for a week or so, after which they abate or disappear completely. However, the signs like fatigue and swollen lymph nodes usually last a bit longer. It could be a few weeks before they finally disappear. A soft and swollen spleen could also be one of the symptoms of mononucleosis. This is usually characterized by soreness, pain and tenderness in the upper left part of your belly. Severe mono could cause your spleen to rupture or burst which is very dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. Therefore, you need to visit the emergency room in case you have mono accompanied by severe pain in the upper left part of the abdominal region. Causes of Mononucleosis The Epstein Barr Virus is what leads to mononucleosis and it can be found throughout the world. Although this virus can infect just about anyone, mono is more common in children, teenagers, adolescents and younger adults. Studies indicate that in the United States, around 95% of the adults between the ages of 35 and 40 have already developed antibodies against EBV. This means that most of us have been infected by the virus at some time or the other. It is also important to realize that once the virus enters your body, it will always stay there. However, it remains dormant for a majority of the time, but can get active once in a while. When it is active, it can be transmitted from one person to the other, causing mono to spread. There are many different factors that can cause the virus to spread. Mono gets transmitted through contact with infected saliva or, in some instances, tears too. Mucus from the throat or nose can also cause the virus to spread. Therefore, it is best to avoid kissing a person who has been infected. Sharing toothbrushes, eating utensils, glasses or linens with infected people should also strictly be avoided, as it could lead to mono. Remedies for Mononucleosis There is no specific medical treatment that is recommended for mono, as antibiotics do not really help in getting rid of a virus. Therefore, it is all about self-care and the use of home remedies that can alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms. Medical treatment is only provided to control symptoms if they are threatening or if there is a risk of complications developing. Given below are a few simple and natural home remedies for mononucleosis: Get an adequate amount of sleep and sufficient rest throughout the day. This will allow your body to recover at a faster pace. When it comes to treating mono, rest is one of the most important factors. Unfortunately, mono takes a couple of weeks to resolve completely and most individuals do not wait for the required period of time. Exerting yourself physically because of work or school can increase the risks of a relapse. A strep throat can easily lead to mono, which is why it should be treated as soon as possible. The best way to deal with a strep throat is by gargling with warm saltwater a couple of times a day. For best results, try to use an entire glass of warm water in one go. You can relieve some of the symptoms of mono by keeping your throat moist at all times. This also helps reduce throat irritation or inflammation to a great extent. You could suck on a piece of candy, some ice or a Popsicle for this purpose. Drink a lot of water during the course of the day, to flush any toxins from your body and strengthen the immune system. Warm liquids will also help alleviate the irritation in the throat and fever. In case you have the habit of smoking, you are strongly advised to quit smoking for a few weeks at least. Smoking can aggravate the symptoms of mono and therefore should be strictly avoided. Diet for Mononucleosis. Health care experts across the world stress the importance of a healthy diet for boosting the immune system and fighting off any virus. Switch to a mostly raw food diet over the course of the illness, to help build up your immune system. At least 50% of the foods you eat should be comprised of uncooked, unprocessed plant foods. Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, seeds, whole grains and the like. Totally avoid white flour, sugar. fried foods, processed foods, sodas and coffee. Try spirulina, a blue-green algae discovered by ancient Mayans. Spirulina aids in enhancing immunity. It is relatively safe to take and has been found to have no drug interactions. You should, however, speak with your health care practitioner before taking spirulina, if you have phenylketonuria or are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is a must! Eat Organic - Fresh fruits like berries, apples, bananas, oranges and other citrus fruits. Vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, kale spinach and other varieties of leafy greens. Certain varieties of seafood that are high in Omega 3 fatty acids, like mackerels, tuna, haddock, salmon and other cold water fish. Cereals and whole grains, which include oats, brown rice, whole grain bread and wheat pasta, to name a few. Lean meat, like skinless chicken and turkey. Beans and legumes and Eggs . Increasing Fluid Intake: It is important to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, especially when recovering from a viral illness. In addition to water, you could also make sure that you drink fluids like vegetable juice, fruit juice, herbal tea, barley water, coconut water or clear soup at regular intervals during the day. Eating Regularly: In case of a viral infection, it may be difficult for your body to process a large meal, which in turn, could lead to digestive problems. In order to avoid such problems, it is best to make sure that you eat around 5 to 6 small meals at regular intervals during the day to avoid putting your digestive system under any stress. Eliminating Unhealthy Foods: It is important to make sure that you avoid consuming unhealthy foods like junk food, fried food, sweets, fattening foods, foods with high sodium content, refined foods and prepackaged meals while recovering from mono. Other foods that should be strictly avoided include chocolate, alcohol, aerated drinks, coffee and tea. In case your diet does not provide your body with the adequate amount of nutrition, it may be best for you to add some vitamin and mineral supplements. Suggested supplements you should take are Vitamins A, C and E as well as zinc and selenium which will help strengthen your immune system and help your body treat your mononucleosis. But, make sure to consult a health care practitioner for daily recommended doses.. Herbal Allies for Prevention of Mononucleosis/EBV Infection The Author heartily recommends Astragulus root for preventing EBV infection. Astragulus is a powerful anti-viral that does particularly well up against a vast host of viruses. Astragulus tincture is the most effective form of this herb. Echinacea root is easily available in many forms to boost the immune system. Teas, tinctures, capsules and glycerites are just a few ways to get this herb. Lemon Balm leaf is an antiviral herb specifically suited to deal with the family of viruses known as Herpesviridae of which EBV is a member. Lemon Balm herb is not only effective but its lemony taste makes it one of the easiest herbal medicines to take in teas, tinctures or glycerites. Herbal Allies for Recovery from Mononucleosis/EBV Infection Goldenseal root and Oregon Grape root are very important tinctures to take during recovery from mono since secondary bacterial infections, such as ear infections, may occur. Glycerite versions of these herbs are available but should be reserved for the very stubborn patients since bacteria also feeds on the sugar in glycerites. Teas of Goldenseal and Oregon grape root generally taste terrible, and do not even try to give them to children unless the taste is heavily disguised with other herbs. Consider harvesting Oregon Grape berries for healthy jams and jellies or juice the berries and add this to homemade drinks. Remember that the flowers of Oregon Grape are edible too. Goldenseal Caution: Goldenseal, which contains a bacteria-killing compound known berberine, comes from a hairy-stemmed plant that is a member of the buttercup family. You can get goldenseal in capsule or tea form. Take, as directed by the individual product you get, but it should not be taken for more than a week. There are possible side-effects, including digestive problems, light-sensitivity and skin irritation. Should you begin experiencing any of these side-effects, stop taking goldenseal. You should not take goldenseal if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Anyone taking prescription medications should talk to a health care practitioner before using goldenseal, to prevent the danger of drug interactions. One side effect of mono is a swollen liver. Dandelion root, greens or whole plant (without the flower and stem) and/or milk thistle does wonders for reducing stress on the liver but, milk thistle, contains the liver-protecting ingredient known as silymarin. You can get it in extract, capsule or tea form and should take it, according to the directions of the individual protect you are using. If you are allergic to plants that come from the Asteraceae family, using the herb milk thistle is inadvisable and you should not take it. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medications or being treated for a serious medical condition, you should speak to your health care practitioner before taking milk thistle. Fight infection with olive leaf extract. It is believed to have antiviral and antioxidant properties. Use as directed by the individual product you have chosen. There are no known interactions with prescription medications. If you are diabetic, pregnant or breastfeeding, however, you should not take olive leaf extract before consulting your health care practitioner. Garlic - never forget taking garlic! Try adding chopped dandelion greens to your patient's broth before straining and serving it. Warm vegetable broth feels comforting to patients recovering from mono and is a great way to get much needed nutrition that is easy for the body to digest. If you make your own broth from scratch, you can reduce the amount of salt that is normally available in store bought broths to a healthier level without losing the flavor. The Author also recommends the use of Apple Cider vinegar, Coconut oil and hydrogen peroxide to kill viruses - please read Chapter 46 on Inflammation at: http://www.stephentvedten.com/46_Inflammation.pdf But, by all means try the organic coconut oil!