5 Quick Tips: To Ease a Toothache

 

Photo Credit: Digi_Shot

I consider myself to be relatively tolerant of most minor aches and pains, but there is absolutely nothing more painful than a severe toothache.

 I recently spent three days in absolute torturous pain that felt like I was either getting hit in the face by lightning repeatedly or being shot in the face...it is a toss up between the two.

The culprit? The WORST toothache I've ever experienced!

Here are the Top 5 Things I Tried and How They Worked:

1. Gargling Warm Salt Water:

In the past I've found with minor toothaches this has always been a good general approach. If the pain is minimal it does give some relief, but for more severe situations it is not going to be the best option.

2. Gargling Hydrogen Peroxide:

Yes I know what you may be thinking, you shouldn't use this internally at full strength. Okay so here goes my PC word of warning: "Just Don't Swallow It!", see simple. I have had a lot of success in the past with this and in the most recent instance, I did find that this method gave me around 5 minutes of comfort at a time, but it was definitely not a lasting solution.

3.  Hot/Cold Therapy:

As the pain first began to creep up, I decided that I would try to soak in a hot bath to see if it helped to relieve the discomfort. I did have minimal relief from the hot water, but you could just use a hot compress as well. Later after the pain intensified I decided to apply an ice pack to the side of my jaw that was hurting and that too dulled the pain, but only minimally. 

4. Home Remedies:

Garlic/Onion-

For minor toothaches I have used garlic or onion to dull the pain. This can either be with done with raw pieces of garlic or onion placed on the affected tooth or simply mixing garlic or onion powder with room temperature water and gargling until the pain subsides. 

Vanilla-

Another home remedy that can be helpful is using vanilla extract. Dip a cotton swab into the vanilla and apply to the tooth. If you try the vanilla, be sure not to get it on your gums or tongue as it can cause a burning sensation. 

Baking Soda-

A third option that can be very helpful is to use baking soda. You'll need a cotton ball, baking soda and water. First you mix baking soda with a little water and heat it up for about 30 seconds. Be careful not to get it too hot though, that will only make things worse. After you have warmed your paste, dip your cotton ball into the mixture until well covered. Now place it over the affected tooth and leave it there until the pain stops. This does not taste especially pleasant, but it can help a lot.

5. Advil Liqui-Gels:

I had previously seen this method online, but had never tried it until this episode. One quick note, the generic versions also work just fine. In fact I had the Family Dollar version which is labeled 'Family Wellness'. Take one gel cap and poke it with a needle or thumbtack so that the medication is able to leak out and either place the full gel cap on the tooth or as I did, saturate a cotton swab with the medication and apply directly to the tooth. 

Which Method Finally Worked to Stop My Severe Pain?

It was the Ibuprofen Gel Cap for the Win!

If you find yourself in a similar situation and you try any of these methods, let us know if they helped. If you have other suggestions or proven methods, please feel free to share them in the comments. 

*NOTE: I am not a physician, nor claim to be. This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. 

5 Natural Ways to Fight a Cold or the Flu

5 Natural Ways to Fight a Cold or the Flu

It is that time of year again, the beginning of cold and flu season. Yuck! Although many of us would love to stay inside and avoid all those nasty germs lurking about in public, it is not always feasible.

So, let's look at a few ways to fight off and relieve the symptoms of a cold or the flu, Naturally:

1. Herbs:

One of the best herbs to stimulate immune supporting white blood cells, T cells, macrophage and interferon activity is Echinacea. This can be taken at the first signs of a cold and will help to ease the symptoms. Boneset is another herb that will help to stimulant the immune system and is one of the most effective herbs to fight a cold or the flu. It promotes sweating and helps your body to release toxins. Although you could steep it and drink as a tea it is best to take it in pill form if possible, as it can be quite bitter tasting. Yarrow leaf is another highly effective herb that helps to reduce fever and is also an antiseptic. It can be steeped and drank as a tea. Peppermint leaf has antiviral properties, promotes sweating to release toxins and is gentle enough to use on children. This is found in pill form or raw leaves for steeping and making a tea as well. Ginger root is a terrific herb that helps to warm chills and fight infection. It is known as the warming herb that helps to also alleviate stomach distress that is sometimes associated with a cold or the flu. 

2. Vitamins: 

When it comes to taking vitamins, there are two that are a must have. These include Vitamin C and Zinc. Taking 1000 mg three times a day will help to shorten the length of a cold. Zinc helps to stimulate T cell response and helps to prevent a cold virus from replicating. Note that it is not recommended to take more than 50 mg of Zinc daily. 

3. Homeopathic Remedies:

Anas Barbariae also called Oscillococcinum, is a wonderful remedy used for onset symptoms of the flu. Some of these symptoms include ear pain, congestion, chills, frontal sinus pain and nasal discharge. It is recommended to take 3-4 pellets three times a day under the tongue. 

4. Foods to Help:

If you find yourself fallen ill, many foods have beneficial affects. To break up congestion try chicken soup or miso vegetable soup with plenty of garlic and onion. Garlic and onions both have antimicrobial properties that will help fight infection. Another terrific antimicrobial item is cinnamon. Add cinnamon to applesauce, sweet potatoes, or tea. Foods that are rich in beta-carotene such as sweet potatoes, help to strengthen mucus membranes in the lungs. Other helpful antioxidant foods that help are carrots, cabbage, mustard greens, turnips and broccoli.  One always helpful favorite of mine, is hot tea with honey which helps to soothe a sore throat and helps to reduce coughing.

5. Essential Oils:

It is commonly known that essential oils have multiple health benefits. Using an essential oil diffuser can help prevent other family members from getting sick. Some of the best oils to use are juniper, tea tree, lavender, peppermint, and rosemary. A personal favorite and very effective essential oil for treating cold and flu symptoms is called thieves oil.  Thieves oil is generally a blend of Clove, Lemon, Rosemary, Cinnamon and Eucalyptus.  

Remember if you do come down with a cold or the flu, getting enough rest is vital. It is during this time that that your body heals itself. Also don't forget to drink plenty of clear liquids to help flush out your system. Be sure to avoid caffeine and milk products as these can actually increase mucus production. This will only prolong your illness and make you feel worse.








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Getting Back to Living: After a Health Scare

Have you ever received news regarding your health that stopped you right in your tracks? If you answered yes, then I definitely can relate!

As some of my readers know I suffered a health scare earlier this year and decided to post about it here. After really giving a lot of thought about it I decided that if I did, maybe I could encourage people to share my experience and save a loved one of their own. I just want to say that I received a lot of positive feedback and had women tell me they would get screened because of my post.

Simply humbling, thank you.

When my health scare began, every negative thought that could run through my mind...did. Emotionally I was completely overwhelmed and being uncertain about my fate was paralyzing. To all those out there that have been or are going through a similar situation, my heart is with you. 

Quick Update:

I went back to have a procedure called a colposcopy. This is a procedure where a physician goes in and takes several biopsies of the cervix. In my case, he had to take four samples of tissue. In full disclosure, this was a very painful procedure. I was then to wait a week for results. One week later the nurse called to say that I had severe dysplasia, but thankfully nothing appeared cancerous. Relief! She did say that because he saw many abnormal changes, he wanted to do a deeper procedure called a leep. One month later I returned and was less nervous as so far the news wasn't life-threatening.

When I arrived I asked the nurse to have the doctor review all the findings with me so that we were on the same page. When we reviewed, I was told that all of the biopsies did in fact come back pre-cancerous; stage 0 cancer. <insert meltdown here>. Second disclosure: This procedure was also very painful, I was couch bound for a week afterwards. I once again waited a week and got the call, they had removed all of the pre-cancerous cells and found no underlying cancer in the deeper tissues. Hallelujah! I was advised to come back in one year for a recheck and we would go from there.

Did I mention I'm horrible at waiting?

New Found Hope:

Now that I am on the other side of situation, I can not tell you the weight that was lifted. Was all the hell I went through, worth it? Absolutely! I was literally beginning to make funeral plans and could not focus on anything else but the doom & gloom I was imagining. No more!

I honestly feel like a different person now. I realized how truly blessed I am and appreciate the thoughts and prayers of so many. I had an amazing support system through many prayer warriors and my loving husband. Without his support, I would have gone literally crazy with all my worrying.

This situation has changed me in so many ways. I have became a strong advocate for women's health and regular screenings. I have learned to really enjoy and embrace those in my life. I'm blessed enough to work in the long-term care field, and my situation has even given me a new appreciation for showing love and affection to all those around me. I realized that if something were to happen to someone I love, my residents, my co-workers or even myself, I want to ensure that I am daily telling them how much I loved them and how much they've meant to me.

I can finally see the light at the end of my self-induced tunnel. This experience has relit the fire inside to finish the things I've started and pursue goals I once thought were out of reach. I have even enrolled back in school to finish the few classes I have left on my MBA.

I am finally getting back to living, and it feels amazing!

xoxo- Sharon

Last note:  Please ladies get those screenings regularly, they can save your life!



Health Issues: Facing my own personal SHTF

First, I have to THANK everyone who has contacted me to find out just where the heck I've been! For a number of months now, I been laying low a bit and for good reason: My Health.

My family and many of my friends are "in the know", but I felt that it might also be encouraging to some of my readers to share with you this information. My hope is that my experience might help some of you ladies and also for you men, who have ladies in your lives too.

Where it all Began...

Out of ...pretty much the blue, I began having a lot of pain in my lower back and stomach. Then I began having excessive bleeding (sorry guys) for a few days. I tried to remain calm and even went to work despite the situation. One day after only a couple of hours of being at work, I was in so much pain that I had to immediately leave and go to the doctor. After a few tests, the doctor walked in, sat down and told me I was having a miscarriage. My reaction? Shock! After 37 years of infertility, a miscarriage? ...I was devastated to say the least.

I was given medicine, put on bed rest for a few days and was told I needed a follow-up to make sure everything was okay. Twelve days later I went to my appointment and had to do a few tests.

A New Issue...

After completing many rounds of tests the doctor said everything looked fine, but that if any issues came up they would call within a week. Nearly a week had went by and since I hadn't heard anything, I began to feel relieved. I shouldn't have celebrated so soon because on the seventh day, I received the call. The results of my pap came back showing serious abnormalities in my cervix. I could definitely hear it in the doctors voice, she was very concerned. Apparently, this was serious....

One of the most influencing factors that concerned her, is that cancer runs through my mother's side of the family. She explained that my results showed that I have something called ASC-H, which is atypical squamous cells, that cannot exclude HSIL which is a high-grade type of squamous intraepithelial lesion. What does all this mean? Basically from what she found, I have 14 indicators that point to the possibility of having cervical cancer.

The next step is to have a procedure done called a colposcopy. They go in and take a biopsy of the cervix, and then we wait. Did I mention, I hate waiting! Due to the fact that I am one of the millions of people without insurance, I've already had to wait months to have this procedure done. Thankfully though, the company I work for was just bought out and we will now be offered insurance beginning February 1st. You already know I did not waste any time, I scheduled mine for February 3rd!

 But until then, we wait...

What I want you to do, Now....

Ladies and Gentlemen (with ladies): I can not stress to you enough the importance, of making sure you are having your womanly check-ups done regularly. Please, DO NOT be like me. I ignored having it done for ten years, ten years people! I could have dropped dead and no one would have known why. Don't do that to your family and those you love. You are loved and needed, I mean it.

Are they a bit uncomfortable? Yes.  Is it even a little embarrassing? Yes.

But more importantly, it Can SAVE your life!

I want you all to learn from my mistake and please do not wait. Get checked out. If you don't have insurance, no problem. You can be seen at your local health department, usually without any out of pocket expense. If you have young ladies in your life, daughters, granddaughters, nieces..etc, please encourage them to get examined regularly.

My Hope...

My hope, of course, is that this turns out to be simply nothing and everything is fine. However, I do know that I will never take getting regular health exams for granted again. Whatever will come, I will make it through and probably post about it for anyone interested in following along. In the meantime, please heed my warnings though and do not take your own health for granted either.

Much Love,

Sharon

Being a Fat Prepper, (yeah I said it)….

After seeing the above very unflattering picture, I assume that either you’re reading this out of sheer boredom or just to see what that crazy trailer park homesteader lady is up to now. Either way, Thank You and Welcome!

I have been contemplating writing this article for a little while now and I should mention that the title of the article is in no way an insult to anyone. It pertains to myself, and no offense should be taken by anyone else.

So here goes…

Confession #1: I. am. Fat. …and yes, I prep. Shocked aren’t you? <insert sarcasm here>
I never really gave this much thought, it’s just me and who I am. That is, until I recently read a post on one preppers FB page that was talking…negatively about “fat” preppers. My first response was, well that person is an absolute…idiot for being hurtful to others. But of course in their own little way, they were right. I admit defeat. I prepare for the future, but realistically I have not focused enough on my own physical preparedness. Sure I grow my own organic foods, but that is obviously not enough.
 Confession #2: I am Horrible at Time Management    (no seriously, horrible at it!)
Though I am not a couch potato, I do not make the effort to purposely workout. I could make a zillion excuses right here including that I run 10-12 errands a day, take care of my family, home, blog, radio show, my schoolwork, and recently took on a part time job throughout the day. But come on, I could take 30 minutes out of the day to purposely do some kind of exercise. How will I ever run from those pesky zombies?






Confession #3: I. am. a…Pop Junkie.  (Love those 23 flavors!)
I drink entirely too much soda, lately at minimum 44oz. a day, hence…the weight. (I blame a combination of my lack of will power and .75 refills..lol) This will be the first thing I address as I go into my own personal “National Preparedness Month Challenge”.

Confession #4: Worse than anything else, I. am. a. Smoker. (Ugh I Know, I Know)
I picked up this horrible habit 8-9 years ago during an extremely hard time in my life and essentially haven’t been able to put it down. I have had a couple failed attempts at quitting, with my longest period only being only about 2-3 weeks. Did I mention I’m allergic to cigarette smoke..yeah I’m a genius! <insert a boatload of sarcasm here>
and lastly….

Confession #5: I. am. not..Alone, and Neither are YOU!
The current rate of obesity in the United States alone is 27.7%. If there are now nearly 4 million preppers in the U.S., that means statistically there is a good chance that 1,108,000 million of them may be overweight or obese. Although in the picture above I attempt to use humor (Phat vs. Fat), I do realize that continuing to ignore my physical health is the biggest preparedness mistake that I am making. I also know that there is no magic pill or overnight “fix”.
So I have decided to make more of a commitment to address this, and I chose to do it publically for personal accountability. If I am struggling with this, I know there must be others who are too.

My concern is that when the shtf I must be physically be able to run, hike, climb, or just walk long distances as needed, and currently I’m not sure that I would not be up to that challenge. Okay, perhaps I wouldn’t necessarily be running from…zombies or what have you, but I still must have the endurance to do everyday tasks manually… and so do you.

Would it be reasonable and more importantly honest for me to say that for National Preparedness Month I’m throwing all of these bad habits completely out the window and starting a whole new me? Umm, Negatory. However, I am willing to begin using this month to start taking the steps towards a healthier me and I invite those of you that are struggling with any or all of these issues to join me.

The Steps I’m Taking, and Invite You too Also:

• Stop the Pop, Drink More Water, Starting Now.
• Get Moving, Purposely Exercise 30 Minutes a Day. Add-on 30 Minutes a Day, Each Week as You are Able. (see example)

Week 1- 3o minutes daily.
Week 2- 1 hour daily.
Week 3 – 1.5 hours daily.
Week 4 - 2 hours daily.

• Wing off the smokes. This gives me (and you) a reasonable time to do this. If you are strong willed, you may be able to just stop and that is remarkable!
• Eat Regularly. (as opposed to my current one or two meals a day)
• Control Sugar Intake. (pretty much a no-brainer)
• Track Your Progress. I believe seeing the results will be motivating!

That’s it, doesn’t seem too tough right? If I can do this trust me, you can too. The point isn’t that you (or me) have to be skinny to be healthy. Absolutely Not! I am seeking to simply feel better and to know that when push comes to shove, I am prepared to meet the coming physical challenges that I believe are ahead.

If you are joining me this month in becoming more physically prepared, let me know I’m not alone by emailing me at: thetrailerparkhomesteader@yahoo.com or commenting below.

Personal & Medical Needs For Shtf

It’s not all about beans, bunkers, and bullets!

Many times when people think of prepping, they imagine all sorts of unrealistic stereotypes. While yes preppers do store standard prepping items, when it comes to preparing for their specific families they must also accommodate family or group members that have special needs. Many of the items needed, will depend on the ages of the family members and health issues they have. We’ve chosen a few different items that our family focuses on and may serve as a good reminder for others. As you look down our list, think about what items you may have overlooked and make your own list. Some of these (in no particular order) are basic items and some are required; particularly for our loved ones.

 Medication:

While some natural remedies, herbs, and holistic treatments can work in place of some medications, they simply can not replace all of it. For many people medication is one of those necessary long-term items that many people will need. One close to home example for us is that our 14 year old daughter has hypothyroidism which in her situation due to the severity, is a life-threatening condition. There are some natural sources that would help maintain her thyroid health, but we have yet to find an adequate replacement.

 Diabetic Supplies:

If you have a family member that has diabetes, in a shtf this would be an immediate concern! One preventative measure, that we agree would only last short term, is trying to stockpile insulin. According to to diabetesforums.com, some insulin's types “if unopened can stay refrigerated for up to two years and once it is opened it must be used within 28 days”. Because the expiration may vary on different types of insulin products, research is key. Also it is important to know insulin has to be stored at temperature of 36-46 *F or 2-8*C. In an emergency situation not only would insulin most likely be severely hard to come by, but it also needs to be kept at the appropriate temperature. If there is no electricity available, finding other ways to store this would be vital!

 Denture Care Supplies:

Something to remember is that some people require the use of dentures, partials, or perhaps a retainer. For these people, thinking ahead and storing up the needed supplies would be important for their dental care. These products are fairly cheap and would be easy to store.

Washable Feminine Products:

Even during shtf, ladies will need a method to take care of their monthly issues Using reusable and washable products may be the only way to effectively deal with their menstrual cycles. Products like Glad Rags, offer a way to do this simply !

Hearing Aid Batteries:

Having the ability to hear clearly is something most people probably take for granted. For many that rely on hearing aid products, this if of the utmost importance. If you or someone in your family is a hearing aid wearer a good personal needs product to store would be hearing aid batteries. This obviously not only will allow that person the continued use of their hearing aid, but it will also help them to maintain their personal safety as well.

 Portable Nebulizer:

A portable nebulizer (atomizer) is normally used by people with asthma and those who suffer with upper respiratory issues to take breathing treatments. A steroid is such as albuterol is placed in the nebulizer and is inhaled. Along with a nebulizer, it is recommended that a supply of also prescription inhalers be stored as well, commonly called ‘rescue inhalers’.

Tube Feeding Supplies:

Because we have one family member that is fed by tube only, one important prep for our group is making sure we have extra buttons, tubing, and needed supplies she needs. In a shtf situation, it would be very important to find supplemental forms of nutrition that will continue to sustain her. This is a topic we are currently exploring.

Do You Have a Family Member With Medical Issues or Special Needs?

How Do You Prepare For Them?

Know the Basics & Rule of 3

Know the Basics

 Listen here: http://youtu.be/ioTRGOXbYSU

In any disaster or survival situation there are five main things you have to have.

These include:

Fire

 Shelter

Purified Water & Food

First Aid

Signaling & *Security

Fire: Whether you are staying hunkered down or have bugged out, you will need a way to build a fire. This provides warmth, light, a means to cook, and offers some protection from some animals. Make sure you have a tool or the skills necessary to build multiple fires. Such items as a magnesium fire starter, or stormproof matches can be stored in a bag and take up little space. It is also recommended to practice survival fire making techniques using friction or bow & drill techniques.

Shelter: You will also need to have a warm and safe shelter of some sort. If you have a BOL, then you have that covered, but if you are stuck outside without a tent or tarp of some kind, you're going to have to build a wilderness/earth shelter. This will keep you out of the weather and help your body retain heat to prevent hypothermia. It will also keep you hidden and provide security.

Water/Food: No matter the situation your body has to have clean purified water to survive. You can easily store chemical drops or tablets that use iodine or chlorine to purify water. It is essential that you wait the full 30 minutes suggested on the bottles, before you drink the water. Other techniques can be filling clean PET water bottles and placing them in direct sunlight for 6 hours. You can also make water filters from gravel, sand, and charcoal. (more about these later). Food is also an important necessity to have, obviously. You can either purchase items such as MRE's, make your own, or pack non-perishable foods. If you are caught in a disaster, you may need to scavenge or snare wild game to cook.  

First Aid: Having at least basic first aid supplies will help you when you need it! I would highly recommend taking a first aid & CPR course now. You may never think you need these skills, but if something were to happen you would know what to do, how to do it, and having the skills will prevent you from panicking if you or someone else is injured.

Signaling/*Security: If you are in a natural disaster and need help, having signaling tools can save your life. This helps you to alert others of your whereabouts and increases your chance of survival tremendously. These can include a flare gun, whistle, mirrors, smoke canisters, or trail markers. 

 *However, let me also mention that it is possible that you are purposely trying to stay hidden. In this case, I would suggest taking along something for security. A knife for one, has multiple uses. You can use this as a tool to build your shelter, digging holes, cleaning game, self-defense and security. Another option would be taking along a gun for hunting and security. Just remember you will need to take additional ammunition along. I would suggest a minimum of 100 rounds per weapon.

(It is important to note to be careful in the amount of ammo you decide to take, because if you are doing a lot of walking this will become heavy and deplete your energy).

Rule of 3:

Preppers sometime think of the Rule of 3 as being you need 3 of everything. This can be helpful in some situations, but it not always meant literally.

I would agree that you need at least 3 routes of escape. If you were evacuated for instance, you need to be conscience of the fact that your normal escape route will most likely be jammed packed with others trying to leave that way. So have back-ups to your route, and take a map!

Practice all 3 of these routes, before disaster strikes.

I would also suggest having back-ups for your fire-making and water purification methods. These are two things that will help you survive, so take along at least 3 options for building a fire and purifying water.

TO SURVIVE NEVER FORGET:

3 MINUTES WITHOUT AIR

3 DAYS WITHOUT WATER

3 WEEKS WITHOUT FOOD

3 HOURS WITHOUT SHELTER

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS!!