The Herxheimer Reaction - Feeling worse before feeling better

March 6, 2009

Poster's Note: This information applies to all Herxheimer reactions

regardless type of 'bug' and of treatment used.

_http://www.silver-colloids.com/Pubs/herxheimer.html_

(http://www.silver-colloids.com/Pubs/herxheimer.html)

The Herxheimer Reaction is a short-term (from days to a few weeks)

detoxification reaction in the body. As the body detoxifies, it is not uncommon

to

experience flu-like symptoms including headache, joint and muscle pain, body

aches, sore throat, general malaise, sweating, chills, nausea or other

symptoms.

This is a normal â€” and even healthy â€” reaction that indicates that

parasites, fungus, viruses, bacteria or other pathogens are being effectively

killed

off. The biggest problem with the Herxheimer reaction is that people stop

taking the supplement or medication that is causing the reaction, and thus

discontinue the very treatment that is helping to make them better. Although

the

experience may not make you feel particularly good, the Herxheimer Reaction is

actually a sign that healing is taking place.

What Is The Herxheimer Reaction?

The Herxheimer Reaction is an immune system reaction to the toxins

(endotoxins) that are released when large amounts of pathogens are being killed

off,

and the body does not eliminate the toxins quickly enough. Simply stated, it

is a reaction that occurs when the body is detoxifying and the released toxins

either exacerbate the symptoms being treated or create their own symptoms.

The important thing to note is that worsening symptoms do not indicate failure

of the treatment in question; in fact, usually just the opposite.

A Rose By Any Other Name

Technically known as the Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction, this syndrome goes by

many names, including JHR, the Herxheimer Effect, the Herxheimer Response, a

Herx Reaction, Herx or Herks. The most common terminology used is the

Herxheimer Reaction. It is also often referred to as a healing crisis, a detox

reaction, or die-off syndrome.

History

The phenomenon was first described by Adolf Jarisch (1860-1902) working in

Vienna, Austria, and a few years later by Karl Herxheimer (1861-1942), working

in Frankfort, Germany. Both doctors were dermatologists mainly treating

syphilitic lesions of the skin. They noticed that in response to treatment,

many

patients developed not only fever, perspiration, night sweats, nausea and

vomiting, but their skin lesions became larger and more inflamed before

settling

down and healing. Interestingly, they found that those who had the most

extreme reactions healed the best and fastest. The patient might be ill for 2-3

days, but then their lesions resolved.

A Medical Example

The Herxheimer reaction is caused by the release of toxic chemicals

(endotoxins) released from the cell walls of dying bacteria due to effective

treatment. The Herxheimer Reaction is well recognized in medical circles and is

certainly not confined to the world of natural medicine or supplements.

For example, a recent study report (Feb â€™04) on the treatment of Sarcoidosis

found that,

**. . . without exception, the improving patients are reporting periodic

aggravation of their symptoms as an apparent direct response to the

antibiotics.

In other words, these patients say that their treatment makes them feel much

worse before they experience symptom-relief.** The abstract of the study

goes on to say, **This phenomenon is known as the Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction

(JHR) and is often referred to informally as Herx. JHR is believed to be caused

when injured or dead bacteria release their endotoxins into blood and

tissues faster than the body can comfortably handle it. . . . This provokes a

sudden and exaggerated inflammatory response . . . . In Sarcoidosis patients,

the

Herxheimer reaction seems to be a valuable indication that an antibiotic is

reaching its target.** In the conclusion, the author states: **In my work with

Sarcoidosis patients, it is my experience that recovering MP patients

understand and welcome the Herxheimer reactions even when they must endure

temporary increased suffering. They accept it as the price that they must pay

in

order to get well and they even seem to find it gratifying to experience

tangible

evidence of bacterial elimination. **

Colloidal Silver & The Herxheimer Reaction

Herxheimer reactions in response to Colloidal Silver can occur as the body

adjusts to the die-off process and responds to the increased load on the

lymphatic system â€“ particularly in cases of systemic and chronic conditions

and/or

severe infections.

The most common Herxheimer reactions for users of Colloidal Silver are:

-- Headache

--Flu-like symptoms

-- Itch and rashes

-- Flushes

Usually, the reaction lasts a few days. In more severe cases, reactions can

last a week or more.

In most cases, the reaction tends to be mild and barely noticeable, but

there are exceptions, particularly in cases of severe infection. Certain

conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lyme Disease and other spirochetical

illnesses can engender noticeable Herx Reactions as the disease-causing

pathogens are

killed off. Users of Colloidal Silver who take the product for Hepatitis may

also experience die-off symptoms, such as headache. Those inhaling silver to

treat lung and sinus infection may also feel immediately worse for a few

hours or a day before starting to feel relief.

Herx reactions vary widely, depending on many factors, including the general

health of the individual, the condition being treated, the degree of

toxicity that exists in the body, the frequency and dosage of Colloidal Silver

taken, and the support the body is provided in eliminating the toxins as

rapidly

as possible. Method of use is also factor. For example, applications that

allow concentrated dosages of Colloidal Silver to come in direct contact with

the

source of infection are more likely to result in a die-off reaction than

oral use.

Although this article focuses on the Herxheimer reaction, please keep in

mind that not all users of Colloidal Silver will experience a Herx reaction.

However, it is important to be aware of the possibility and to understand that

it is a symptom of healing, so that Colloidal Silver users do not become

discouraged if symptoms temporarily worsen and/or discontinue use of the

product.

Clarification

Colloidal Silver does not cause the Herxheimer reaction. Colloidal Silver is

non-toxic, and a healthy individual will notice no reaction at all to

Colloidal Silver. However, if there is infection in the body, a Herxheimer

reaction

may result as the infection is killed off. The severity of the Herx reaction

is often an indicator of just how much toxicity there was in the body to

begin with and is an indicator of the effectiveness of the treatment. It is

actually a sign that the body is restoring itself to good health.

Time Frames

There is differing data on the timing of a Herxheimer reaction. Some data

indicates that it usually occurs between four and 24 hours from the onset of

treatment. Others note that between Day 3 and Day 5 of a treatment program is

often when the reaction is most noticeable. What appears to be most accurate

is that reaction times -- and indeed whether there will be any reaction at all

-- are strictly dependent on the individual being treated. Duration of the

reaction also varies widely, from an hour or a few hours to days or even a

week.

What To Do In The Event of a Herxheimer Reaction

If the reaction is mild enough that it can be borne without grave

discomfort, the best approach is to continue treatment and assist the body in

eliminating the toxins as quickly and as thoroughly as possible by the methods

below.

If the reaction is too severe, cutting back on the dosage or frequency of

use can be very helpful in lessening symptoms but allowing the healing process

to continue. Sometimes stopping for a day or so and then beginning again at a

lesser dosage can allow for quick relief.

The best assistance for the body is drinking plenty of distilled water (a

half gallon a day is recommended).

Other helpful suggestions include:

-- Getting plenty of sunshine

-- Minimizing exercise for the detox period

-- Keeping the organs of elimination (the bowels, lungs, skin, kidneys,

lymph) functioning properly

-- Keeping the diet relatively pure during the detox period so that the body

is not loaded with additional chemicals and toxins to eliminate while it is

already working hard.

Adding lemon to the water, taking cold press olive oil first thing in the

morning, taking sea salt baths and/ or steam baths and saunas, plus liver and

elimination system supports can also be helpful, though any herbal supplements

should be kept to a minimum and should be very mild and gentle in nature.

Conclusion

The most important advice in relation to Colloidal Silver use and the

Herxheimer reaction is to **bear with the process**. The reaction is usually

over

within a few days and is well worth the cleansing and healing results. Plus,

it is a sure sign that the Colloidal Silver is doing its job and working to

help restore your body to natural health!

Warning: Any serious symptoms such as cardiac irregularity; breathing

difficulties; chest, lung or throat constriction; significant swelling; or

other

severe symptoms should be given immediate medical attention.

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The Herxheimer Reaction - Feeling worse before feeling better

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