What to do when sick 101!
By Shriya
Falling sick is never fun especially if you live alone and even more so in a new place altogether. The medical system in Wageningen works differently than what I was used to back home. So what do you do? Read further to know the steps you can take and also some handy home remedies that work like a charm 😀
Student Medical Center:
First of all, remember that you know your body better than anyone else. In case you need to see a doctor here in Wageningen, do not hesitate to get help. Click on the link below and register online at the Student Medical Center (SMC). This is mandatory to have an appointment with the on campus doctor. The SMC is in the Nexus building (the building across IMPULSE on campus). You should then receive a mail confirming your registration. In case you do not (I didn’t :P), I suggest you do what I ended up doing :D. Go there directly and get an appointment at the reception. The next step is just to wait.
Being prepared is half the work. I am putting together a list of things you NEED in your medicine kit.
- Paracetamol. Supermarkets like Lidl and Jumbo have them and one does not need a prescription to buy them.
- Muscle relaxant gel or spray for sprains.
- Band-aids. Shops like ACTION and KRUIDVAT have these.
- Strepsils is also sold at the supermarkets.
- Rhinocaps. If you are prone to blocked sinus’, this one is a life saver. Using one of these capsules for steam inhalation is very effective.
Shops like Kruidvat and Etos at the city center have most other medical supplies which do not need a doctor’s prescription.
Home remedies:
While the weather in the Netherlands is constantly surprising, catching a cold is not. Here is where home remedies work their magic. From here on, it is just going to be some tips on how you can try to get better if not in the immediate need of a doctor.
- Having a glass of turmeric milk before bed right when the first signs of a cold appear is a ritual back home in India. Heat a glass of milk with a couple of pinches of turmeric (also called curcumin) with pepper. Sweeten it lightly with sugar or any other option of your choice.
- For someone as talkative as me, having a sore throat is a punishment. Crush some fried peppercorns in very little ghee or unsalted butter. Eat a couple of spoonfuls with honey to get some relief.
Indulging in great food is always a treat and is usually a little over the top when you are with friends. The aftermath isn’t that pleasant. A concoction of fennel seeds, carom seeds, fenugreek seeds and cumin seeds is your new best friend then. Dry roast a tablespoon of each of these seeds and add one cup of water. Heat on medium flame till the total volume reduces by half. BE PATIENT 🙂 Strain the liquid and enjoy. Well not really, it can be bitter so add some sugar then enjoy.
Turmeric milkÂ
When your stomach is not feeling up to the mark, avoid dairy products. My go-to is buttermilk. Either dilute some yogurt or Karnemelk (buttermilk in the Netherlands FYI) with a pinch of salt and gulp it down. Add cumin powder or asafoetida for some extra effect.
Finally, I highly recommend you add this one to your list. ALOEVERA gel!! Any skin irritation or rash is soothed with it. Watch out for any extra chemicals in the ingredients list if you have a commercial tube of this.
P.S. Try these home remedies keeping any allergy you have in mind. These are just a few things I try. As I said before, you know yourself the best so in case any sickness persists… GET HELP!!
If you have any other home remedies you try, feel free to comment. Looking forward to it 😀