Since fever is an accompanying phenomenon for a variety of diseases, fever-reducing remedies are generally not needed as long as the fever does not cause any discomfort. Fever-reducing agents can be used to relieve the organism in the healing process during persistent febrile conditions and to prevent acute conditions.
What are fever-reducing agents
To decide on the use of antipyretic agents, the body temperature must be determined in a reliable way beforehand. Antipyretic drugs inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandin-E2 in the brain, causing the skin vessels to dilate. As a result, the body releases heat at an increased rate and secretes more sweat – a cooling process occurs. Fever in itself is a sign of functioning body processes that take place when fighting infections. Stopping it early can have a counterproductive effect and does not shorten the illness. Thus, the assessment of whether a pathological condition needs to be accompanied by antipyretic agents plays an important role. In infants and young children, even a slightly elevated temperature may indicate a serious illness. For adults, fever is usually not dangerous up to 39 – 40 degrees. Here it is rather important in which fever phase the fever-reducing agents are used, since additional heat loss should be avoided if chills initially occur.
Application, effect and use
Fever is a complex body process between the immune system and the nervous system to regenerate infection-related causes, which should be interrupted only in advised cases. To decide to use antipyretic agents, the body temperature should be determined beforehand in a reliable way. Mercury thermometers, which were fraught with danger, have now been replaced by inexpensive thermometers with digital displays. When using them, close attention should be paid to the instructions for interpreting the beeps. Infants should have their temperature taken rectally. This is done by carefully inserting the thermometer into the anus of the child who is lying securely on his or her stomach. If the temperature remains elevated above 38 degrees, the use of antipyretic agents is recommended. Sick children between 2-17 years and adults are read by placing the thermometer under the tongue. Only from 39 degrees should fever-reducing agents be used here. It is advisable to consult a doctor if the fever is accompanied by severe headache, unusual skin rash or sensitivity to light, stiff neck, mental confusion, severe vomiting, shortness of breath or abdominal pain. Measurement in the ear is rather inadvisable because of increased susceptibility to error due to mishandling.
Herbal, natural, and pharmaceutical antipyretic agents.
Antipyretic drugs are called antipyretics and are based on the active ingredients acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, or metamizole. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) are among the most commonly used medications. They intervene directly in the nervous system and, in addition to a fever-reducing effect, usually also have an analgesic effect. Due to their mode of action, they are referred to as regulating the temperature set point. Naturopathy prefers fever and warns against overemphasizing the need for fever-reducing remedies. It recommends strengthening the body through rest and diet, which will naturally lead to fever reduction. Home remedies are often based on the application of water and the intended dissipation of heat. This is done by placing warm, moist cloths on the forehead or wrapping them around the calves. Comfortable clothing prevents additional heat. Cooling from within can also be produced by cool foods, and sufficient drinking is urgently needed to counteract dehydration. Since fever has a disease-related effect, the selection of a suitable homeopathic remedy must be tailored to the disease in order to combat the cause. In many cases, Aconitum D30 or Belladonna D30 is used. The method of reducing fever by overheating is rather inadvisable without medical supervision. == Risks and side effects ==#
Aspirin should not be used as a fever reducer in children or adolescents.It is associated with Reye’s syndrome in case of use during viral illness (especially chickenpox and influenza), a dangerous disease that can cause prolonged vomiting, confusion, as well as coma and liver failure. A common misconception is the use of cold water, which can lower the core temperature too much and put additional stress on the weakened organism.
