How Will You Treat Your Current Ailment When the Medical System Collapses?

The current state of the medical system is cause for alarm. No matter where you are in the world now chances are there has been a strain put on the system that is there to protect you. Over run clinics, and a lack of supplies are all taking their toll on the system. A simple trip to the doctor can quickly become a depressing adventure in the world today. This is especially true in areas like the United States where individuals rely on health insurance to visit a doctor.

A collapse of the medical system in these areas often means a collapse of health insurance coverage. Without coverage, a visit to the doctor can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Never mind the costs if you require intensive care. In fact, current reports on pandemic highlight the discrepancies in the health care system, from being under-funded to being over-run… a collapse of the system is not a far-fetched idea in the current global climate.

This pandemic shows us how precarious our healthcare system is and reminds us all why need to be prepared for the worst. Do not despair, however, there are things you can do to prepare and many ways that you can take care of yourself should the system collapse.

Build Yourself a First Aid Kit

A good first aid kit is essential. I am not talking about the cheap kits that you can buy at the dollar store. Instead, you should have a solid prepper kit that includes:

• Bandages and gauze
• Paracord
• Benadryl and Imodium
• Medical Tape
• Saline eye drops
• Safety pins
• Ibuprofen
• Gloves
• Scissors or trauma sheers
• Vaseline
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibiotics (Bactrim or Doxycycline)
• Thermometer
• Aspirin
• A good first aid guide

Get an Advanced Supply of Medicine

Being prepared means being ready for anything. It is possible for you to have the supplies you need if you simply think ahead.

If you currently take medications try to get in to see your doctor or get to the pharmacy for a refill a few days before your prescription ends.

If you can pick up your new prescription even a day or two before you run out, then you can save up a few pills at the end of every month and create an inventory over time. Saving even a few pills now means that you will have a stockpile should you need it later.

Make Your Own Medications

While you may not be able to get all your medications without a doctor, there are things that can help prevent infection or alleviate pain. The following list will help you find natural products that you can use in an emergency.

Natural Antibiotics

Garlic

Garlic is recognized for its preventive and curative properties. It is an effective treatment against many forms of bacteria and is used to treat infections or open wounds.

Garlic can be used when you have an abscess tooth, for example, by placing a cut clove on the infected area and leaving it there to help pull out the infection.

For a look at a study that reviewed the therapeutic effects of garlic, click here.

Honey

A well-known natural antibiotic, people have turned to honey to help heal their wounds and draw out infection for centuries. Even today, doctors use honey dressings to heal the wounds of burn patients.

Echinacea

Traditional healers have used echinacea to heal wounds and treat infections. Echinacea has been shown to kill many types of bacteria and is readily available at health stores or online.

Natural Painkillers

Turmeric

Turmeric, the spice found in curry, contains a compound called curcumin, a known antioxidant that can help with pain, indigestion, or other ailments.

It is used to treat conditions like indigestion, ulcers,stomach upset, psoriasis and arthritis pain.

There are many options for using turmeric including Turmeric tea, Turmeric smoothies, or Golden Milk.

Willow bark

Willow bark helps to treat pain from inflammation. It contains salicin, which is like most over-the-counter pain medications. While people sometimes chew the bark, you can purchase it in a dried form and brew tea to help with pain and discomfort. Willow bark comes with risks, however. Possible side effects include stomach upset, and reduced kidney function, as well as prolonged bleeding. It is also harmful to children.

Cloves

Cloves are found in pill, powder, or oil form. You can use cloves to treat a wide range of ailments. They help to ease nausea, treat colds, and treat infection. Cloves have been used to relieve the pain associated with headaches, arthritis, or tooth aches and are often used as a topical pain reliever.

They have a natural ingredient that is also found in some OTC pain rubs, so it is a great all-natural option and should definitively be a part of your preparedness kit.

Heat and Ice

When all else fails heat and ice can help. Applying ice will reduce swelling and heat reduces the stiffness. An ice pack on your head will reduce a headache, and heat helps with arthritis. Always have these items on hand.

There are a lot of options available for treating common ailments. Your best defense is research. Start looking at ways to naturally treat some of the most common ailments and go from there. If you know that you have a specific condition or are likely to end up with a specific injury, you must arm yourself with knowledge so you are ready should the need arise.

The event of a medical system breakdown may have once been an unlikely scenario, but today it is a likely case. The strain of the ongoing pandemic and the precarious state of our current system mean that there will be an eventual breakdown of some kind. It is best to be prepared for the worst-case scenario so that the actual events do not catch you off guard.