Abscess
When pus accumulates in a tissue, organ, or confined space in the body due to infection, an abscess forms. Abscesses may be located externally or internally, and may result from an injury or a lowered resistance to infection. An abscess can form in the brain, lungs, teeth, gums, underarms, abdominal wall, gastrointestinal tract, ears, tonsils, sinuses, bones, breasts, kidneys, prostate gland, rectum, scrotum, or almost any other body part. Infections are the most common human disorders and can be produced by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. A boil is an external (skin) abscess (see BOIL in Part Two). The affected area may become swollen, inflamed, hot, red, and tender. The individual may also experience fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and alternating bouts of fever and chills. In severe cases, bacteremia (blood infection) and / or rupture of the abscess can occur. The material inside an abscess consists of living and dead white blood cells, dead tissue, bacteria, and / or toxins – all of which need to be discarded from the body. An abscess that appears suddenly (in a matter of a few hours or overnight) is said to be acute. If an abscess has been present for a period of days or weeks, it is termed chronic. Chronic abscesses are more resistant to treatment because the damage is more severe and / or widespread. Acute abscesses are less extensive and generally respond to treatment within a matter of days. An abscess, if treated, should begin to heal in a few days. Usually there is complete healing in a week or two. An abscess that does not show any signs of healing within this time can be an indication of problems within the immune system. Complications, although rare, can include bleeding or recurrence of the abscess. Acute dental abscesses can be characterized by inflamed, red, and tender gums. The affected tooth may be sensitive or loose, and a dull pain is often present. A periodontal abscess can cause an overall sick feeling accompanied by fever and swollen lymph glands. However, chronic dental abscesses often produce no symptoms and are harder to treat than acute abscesses, as they have been present longer and have had the chance to do more extensive damage. Basically, an abscess is a sign that the body is trying to rid itself of impurities. The impurities may be half-starved cells, deficient in nutrients such as sulfur, or toxins that accumulate because of a failure of the normal eliminative processes. Such a situation often stems from poor diet and exposure to environmental pollutants, chemicals, and other harmful substances. Eating junk food not only clutters the system with foods
lacking in nutrients, but prevents the cellular wastes from being eliminated efficiently by causing such problems as constipation and sluggish liver, spleen, and kidney function. NUTRIENTS SUPPLEMENT Very Important Zinc SUGGESTED DOSAGE : 80mg daily, in divided doses. Do not exceed a total of 100mg daily from all supplements. COMMENTS : Powerful immune system stimulant. Necessary for T lymphocyte function, which is needed to fight infection. Needed for all skin disorders. Important SUPPLEMENT Coenzyme A from Coenzyme-A Technologies SUGGESTED DOSAGE : As directed on label. COMMENTS : Supports the immune system’s detoxification of may dangerous substances. SUPPLEMENT : Colloidal Silver SUGGESTED DOSAGE : Take orally or apply topically as directed on label. COMMENTS : Acts as a natural antibiotic and disinfectant. Destroys bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. SUPPLEMENT : Garlic (Kyolic) SUGGESTED DOSAGE : 2 capsules 3 times daily with meals. COMMENTS : Acts as a natural antibiotic and stimulates the immune system an contains sulfur, needed for skin tissue repair. SUPPLEMENT : Methylsulfonyimethane (MSM) SUGGESTED DOSAGE : As directed on label. COMMENTS : Natural occurring organic sulfur comound. SUPPLEMENT : Superoxide dismutase (SOD) or Cell Guard from biotech Foods SUGGESTED DOSAGE : As directed on label. COMMENTS : A potent antioxidant. Use a sublingual form for best absorption. An antioxidant complex that contains SOD. SUPPLEMENT : Vitamin A plus natural carotenoid complex (Betatene) SUGGESTED DOSAGE : 50.000 IU daily for 5 day, then 25,000 IU daily for 5 day, then reduce to 15,000 IU daily. If you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily. As directed on label. COMMENTS : Strengthens cell walls to protect against invasion by bacteria and promote tissue repair. Essential to the immune system. Use an emulsion form for easier assimilation and greater safety at high doses. Powerful antioxidants that promote healing. SUPPLEMENT : Vitamin B complex SUGGESTED DOSAGE : 50 mg of each major B vitamin daily (amounts of individual vitamins in a complex will vary). Take with meals. COMMENTS : For repair and replacement of lost nutrients; aids in healing.
SUPPLEMENT : Vitamin C with bioflavonoid SUGGESTED DOSAGE : 5,000 – 20,000 mg daily, in divide doses. See ASCORBIC ACID FLUSH in Part Three. COMMENTS : Essential in immune function and tissue repair. SUPPLEMENT : Vitamin E SUGGESTED DOSAGE : 400 – 600 IU daily. You can also open a capsule and apply it directly to the affected area. COMMENTS : Important in circulation and tissue oxygenation. Enhances the immune system and promotes healing. Use d-alpha-tocopherol form. Helpful SUPPLEMENT : Bromelain SUGGESTED DOSAGE : 500 mg 3 times a day. COMMENTS : Reduces inflammation and swelling ; speeds healing. SUPPLEMENT : Multivitamin and mineral complex SUGGESTED DOSAGE : As directed on label. COMMENTS : All nutrients are needed for healing. SUPPLEMENT : Proteolytic enzymes or Inflazyme Forte from American Biologics or Intenzyme Forte from Biotics Research SUGGESTED DOSAGE : As directed on label. Take between meals. As directed on label. As directed on label. COMMENTS : To aid in cleanup of the abscess. Powerful free radical scavengers. HERBS ● The following herbs are beneficial for healing abscesses and cleansing the blood: burdock root, cayenne (capsicum), dandelion root, red clover, and yellow dock root. ● Chamomile tea is good for treating dental abscesses. Drink a cup three or four times daily. If your face is swollen from the infection, chamomile can be prepared as a poultice and applied to the outside of the cheek once or twice a day for five to ten minutes until the infection is gone. ● Consuming distilled water with fresh lemon juice, plus 3 cups of Echinacea, goldenseal, and astragalus or suma tea every day is helpful. Goldenseal can also be made into a poultice and applied directly to the abscess. (See USING A POULTICE in Part Three.) Or apply alcohol-free golden seal extract to sterile gauze and place the gauze over the abscess. Caution: Do not use astragalus in the presence of a fever. Do not take echinacea if you have an autoimmune disorder. Do not take goldenseal on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, and do not use it during pregnancy. If you have a history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or glaucoma, use it only under a doctor’s supervision. ● Echinacea tea or extract in warm water can be used as a mouthwash for dental abscesses. Be sure to prepare it warm and rinse your mouth with it every two hours. Caution: Do not take echinacea if you have an autoimmune disorder. ● A poultice that combines lobelia and slippery elm bark is soothing and fights infection. (See USING A POULTICE in Part Three.)
● Milk thistle, taken in capsule form, is good for the liver and aids in cleansing the bloodstream. ● Tea tree oil, applied externally, is a potent natural antiseptic that kills infectious organisms without harming healthy cells. Mix 1 part tea tree oil with 4 parts water and apply the mixture with a cotton ball three times a day. This will destroy the bacteria, hasten healing, and prevent the infection from spreading. RECOMMENDATIONS ● Eat fresh pineapple daily. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that fights inflammation and aids healing. ● Include garlic and onions in your diet. They are high in sulfur and can help to both cure and prevent abscesses. ● Add kelp to the diet for beneficial minerals. ● Perform a liquid fast using fresh juices for twenty-four to seventy-two hours. (See FASTING in Part Three.) ● For an external abscess, apply honey to the affected area. Honey destroys bacteria and viruses, apparently by drawing all the moisture out of them. ● To cleanse the affected area, apply chlorophyll liquid mixed with water several times a day. ● If you must take antibiotics, supplement your diet with the B vitamins and products containing “friendly” bacteria, such as acidophilus and yogurt. ● If pain, redness, swelling, bleeding, or discharge increases, call your doctor. CONSIDERATIONS ● For very mild external abscesses, the application of heat from a warm-water soak, along with improved nutrition, can usually provide sufficient treatment. Most abscesses, however, require treatment with antibiotics or herbs. Taking acidophilus and B vitamins and increasing your intake of liquids can often aid in the healing process. In some cases, the abscess may have to be lanced (pierced), drained, deep-cleaned, and treated with antibiotics. ● To heal an abscess, you may have to get plenty of bed rest, drink plenty of fluids, and use warm – water packs, ice packs, hot baths, a heating pad, or a heat lamp to alleviate the pain. ● To aid healing, the blood must be cleansed and vitamin deficiencies that accompany skin eruptions must be corrected. ● Abscesses do not usually interfere with normal bathing or showering, but you should remove bandages first to the wound may be gently washed with surgical, antibacterial, or other mid, unscented soap. Afterward, apply a new bandage. ● If an abscess breaks open and drains without assistance, your doctor may still need to make sure the entire area is sufficiently clean to prevent recurrence. This minor surgery involves make in an incision across and through the abscess so it can be opened enough to ensure that all pockets of pus are opened and thoroughly drained. Sterile gauze may be provided to absorb any additional fluids that may appear. This also allows healing to begin from the base up. ● If an abscess spreads to the blood, it may jeopardize the health of the rest of the system, and immediate treatment by a health care professional is necessary.
● Deep abscesses must be watched to ensure that they are not affecting or obstructing the function of deeper tissues and organs. ● Some abscesses may be prevented by good hygiene and careful cleansing of the skin to prevent a wound or injury from becoming infected. ● Appropriate treatment for a dental abscess depends on the type of abscess. Most often, the pus is drained from the infected area, antibiotics are prescribed, and deep-cleaning is necessary. In other cases, a tooth may have to be extracted or root-canal surgery performed. (See PERIODONTAL DISEASE in Part Two.) ● Good dental hygiene can help prevent dental abscesses. This includes regular brushing and flooring, as well as regular dental checkups.