One of my secret weapons against certain infections is sugar. Sugar is a counterintuitive remedy. One might think that because sugar is a food, bacteria in the wound would feed on it and multiply.
The opposite is true.
Look in the sugar container in your kitchen. You never see any bacteria or fungus growing on dry and clean sugar. Add the least bit of moisture to sugar and an extremely concentrated sugar solution results. Any bacteria exposing itself to this solution will find its interior fluids drawn out through the process of osmosis. In other words, the organism dries up and dies.
Where Sugar Works
Section titled “Where Sugar Works”The kinds of infections for which sugar is helpful occur most often in the elderly and infirm. One such situation is an ulcer on the leg. My patient, Sam, had a one-inch-diameter crater in his ankle that had been present for about six months. Poor venous circulation of the leg precipitated the ulcer and prevented enough blood coming to the area to promote healing. Additionally the soupy bacteria-laden exudate within the ulcer provided a ready haven for multiple species of bacteria to congregate and multiply. Previous providers had given Sam several courses of antibiotics both by mouth and topical, with no benefit. They tried some fancy commercial dressings. No luck with that, either.
When I revealed my secret weapon to Sam, he readily agreed. Our nurse showed him how to put a spoonful of confectioner's sugar into the ulcer and cover it with clean gauze. Four times a day, he reclined with the ulcer sunny side up, applied the sugar and gauze, and kept the leg elevated for an hour. During that time the sugar beautifully dried up the bacteria and pus in his ulcer.
In about three days the soupy exudate was gone, leaving a clean red layer of healing granulation tissue at the base of the ulcer.
Sam continued other measures as well: oral zinc and pressure stockings. Testosterone has been shown to help, but Sam didn't need it. Over the next few weeks, skin grew in from the margins; the ulcer shrank and disappeared.
Sugar for Bed Sores
Section titled “Sugar for Bed Sores”When a person lies in bed too long without moving, areas of skin under pressure from bones can be deprived of circulation and ulcerate. Common areas are the skin beneath the sacrum or the hip, depending on how a person likes to lie. When I worked in hospice, sugar often helped us cure these difficult-to-treat ulcers. One day a salesman came into the hospice offices with a dog-and-pony show pushing a new fancy dressing. The dressing was expensive and as, as time went on, less effective than sugar. Nonetheless this gentleman, with his graphs and charts of scientific studies, made it seem to our nurses that his high-tech remedy was the only professional method appropriate to these ulcers. Somehow their enthusiasm waned for the more effective yet prosaic remedy.
Honey Works Too
Section titled “Honey Works Too”For superficial infections in areas where sugar won't stay in place, we use honey. Like sugar, unrefrigerated honey resists micro-organisms for centuries. As with sugar, the concentrated sugars in the honey suck fluids out of bacteria, both in the jar and on your skin. Honey has enough acidity to kill many bacteria. Studies show benefit both for burns and diabetic ulcers.
Skin Infections
Section titled “Skin Infections”This remedy works in the skin infections I've mentioned because the bacteria are mostly on the surface, as in a superficially infected burn. The body is not allowing them to penetrate very far, but poor circulation or other factors prevent the immune system from reconstituting the skin which the bacteria have destroyed.
When Not to Use Sugar
Section titled “When Not to Use Sugar”Sugar and honey are not remedies for rapidly-evolving or invading infections. In these cases, bacteria invade the tissues; sugar and honey cannot chase the bacteria into the body. If you have a fever or an infection which is getting worse from hour to hour, then you need immediate medical attention.
Please answer these questions True or False, then see below for the answers.
- If I have pneumonia and eat sweets, that will help my pneumonia go away.
- Numerous studies in medical journals have shown the effectiveness of sugar and honey as a remedy for delayed wound healing.
- We doctors and nurses always make our decisions based upon reason and reality.
Influenza Vaccine 2012
Section titled “Influenza Vaccine 2012”We've a few doses of preservative-free influenza vaccine. While the authorities recommend it for everyone, I think the benefit accrues most to the elderly, the infirm, those with chronic diseases such as COPD, diabetes, heart disease, and so on. Currently, it appears that vaccination of caregivers benefits those in their care.
Happy Holidays
Section titled “Happy Holidays”You'll probably run into a lot of sugar treats in the month to come. It's hard to ignore the emotional pull of sugar at this time of year. I wish you delight as well as moderation in this holiday season. May you find contentment in your heart and sweetness in those around you.
Answers
Section titled “Answers”1. false
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