When the grid collapses, hospitals close, and pharmacies run dry, everyday health issues can escalate into serious risks. A minor injury, chronic condition, or mental health struggle can become life-threatening without modern medical care.
History shows that when sanitation, clean water, and healthcare vanish, preventable conditions lead to widespread illness and death. Preparing for medical challenges requires not only supplies but also knowledge, skills, and community support.
The following 25 health risks highlight what you need to watch for, along with practical strategies to mitigate them in a post-SHTF world.
Disclaimer: Some of the conditions I will present have a higher risk of escalation than others. As in normal circumstances, post-SHTF, these conditions will worsen depending on the situation and the severity of the illnesses. I will also present natural remedy options. These are recommended as supplements or emergency solutions if you run out of medications post-SHTF. However, they CANNOT replace medical treatments.
Severe Allergic Reactions
If you’re exposed to allergens like peanuts or bee stings, anaphylaxis can be fatal within minutes without an EpiPen.
Stock EpiPens and ensure others know how to use them, recognizing early signs like hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
If no EpiPen is available, remove the allergen and stay calm.
Natural Support: Quercetin may reduce your mild allergic responses.
Bacterial Infections (Untreated Wounds, Sepsis)
If you get a small cut or scrape, it can turn dangerous without proper care. Bacteria entering your bloodstream may trigger sepsis, a life-threatening condition that can cause your organs to fail within days.
Watch for early signs like redness, swelling, warmth, or pus around your wound. To protect yourself, clean your wounds thoroughly with boiled and cooled water and mild soap for at least one minute.
Apply an antiseptic like iodine or, if unavailable, raw honey, which has natural antibacterial properties (test for allergies first). Stock broad-spectrum antibiotics where legally permitted, following proper storage guidelines, and learn how to dress your wounds with clean cloths or sterile bandages, changing them daily or whenever soiled.
Stay current on your tetanus (read more about tetanus here) shots before a collapse, as tetanus is nearly always fatal without treatment. Ensure someone in your group trains in basic wound care so they can assist you if needed.
Natural Support: Raw honey or herbal antiseptics may supplement your care.
Flu, Viral Outbreaks, and Immune System Weakness
If you’re exposed to viruses like influenza or novel pathogens, they can spread rapidly in crowded, unsanitary conditions. If your immune system is weakened by poor nutrition or stress, a mild virus can become a serious threat, especially if secondary infections like pneumonia develop.
Maintain your nutrition with canned vegetables, dried fruits, and other nutrient-dense foods, and prioritize sleep to support your immunity.
Use N95 masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer to reduce your exposure, and isolate yourself if you feel sick to prevent spreading the virus. If you develop flu-like symptoms—such as fever, cough, or fatigue—rest and stay hydrated using oral rehydration solutions.
Without antivirals, focus on managing your symptoms, applying cool cloths to reduce your fever and engaging in gentle movement to prevent pneumonia.
Natural Support: Elderberry or echinacea may offer mild immune support.
Fungal Infections (Especially Systemic)
If you develop a fungal infection like athlete’s foot, it can escalate in damp, crowded conditions, potentially spreading to your lungs or bloodstream if untreated, which can be fatal. Keep your skin dry and clean, especially your feet, using talc or cornstarch when antifungal powders are unavailable.
Apply over-the-counter antifungal creams at the first sign of infection. If creams are unavailable, ventilate your living space and avoid tight, damp clothing.
Natural Support: Tea tree oil diluted with a carrier oil may help with mild fungal infections, but test for skin sensitivity first.
Multiple Sclerosis
If you have MS, it can worsen without treatment, leading to mobility loss and increased vulnerability.
Maintain your mobility with daily stretching or light walking, and create a safe environment to prevent falls.
Natural Support: Vitamin D or omega-3s may slow your disease progression.
Case Study: Dr. Nicole Apelian, an herbalist and biologist, overcame a 2000 MS diagnosis by embracing a healthy lifestyle and natural remedies, avoiding MS drugs for 20 years.
From bedridden to thriving, she survived 57 days alone in the wild on the History Channel’s Alone in 2015, relying on plants.
Her mission is to share her 30 years of plant knowledge through her book, The Forgotten Home Apothecary, detailing homemade herbal remedies like poultices and tinctures to help others find natural healing solutions.
Inside the book you’ll discover over 200 powerful remedies like:
- Amish Amoxicillin
- Herbal Parasite Flush
- Brain Booster
- Painkiller in a Jar
- Onion Socks
- Vinegar Socks
- Parsley Patches for Tinnitus
- Memory Booster
- Grandma’s Hot Salve for Back Pain
… and so many others that Big Pharma doesn’t want you to know about!
Now this is only her story and this is not an advice for anyone to ignore their doctor’s opinion. But if you want to learn more about dr. Apelian’s natural remedies, you should give her book a chance.
Parasites
If you consume contaminated water or food, parasites like worms or protozoa can cause fatigue, diarrhea, and malnutrition, which may become life-threatening over time.
Boil your water for at least one minute or use a high-quality filter to remove parasites, and cook your food thoroughly, storing it in sealed containers to prevent contamination.
Stock antiparasitic medications if possible and consult a doctor for safe use. Maintain strict hygiene, washing your hands before meals and after bathroom use.
Natural Support: Wormwood or black walnut have traditional use but limited evidence and potential side effects.
Food Poisoning and Severe Diarrhea
If you eat spoiled food or drink contaminated water, you may experience vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that can be fatal without treatment. Store your food in cool, dry conditions and rotate supplies to avoid spoilage.
Learn everything about creating and maintaining a solid food stockpile from Joel Lambert. The survival expert with 10 years of experience as Navy SEAL, wrote A Navy SEAL’s Bug-In Guide, a comprehensive manual covering all aspects of food supplies.
But just in case you get food poisoning or severe diarrhea, prepare oral rehydration solutions and keep electrolyte powders available. If you suffer from poisoning, take small sips of rehydration solution to maintain your fluids.
Natural Support: Activated charcoal may help bind toxins in mild cases but is not a cure.
Asthma Attacks
If you don’t have your inhaler, an asthma attack can restrict your breathing and become life-threatening within minutes, especially in dusty or smoky environments.
Stock extra inhalers and keep them accessible. Practice pursed-lip breathing—inhale through your nose for two seconds, exhale through pursed lips for four to six seconds—to manage mild attacks. Avoid smoke and dust, using masks or staying in well-ventilated areas.
Natural Support: Steam inhalation may ease your mild symptoms.
Lungs and COPD
If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoky or dusty conditions can worsen your condition, reducing your oxygen levels and increasing your mortality risk.
Use masks or cloth filters to limit exposure to airborne irritants, and create a clean-air zone in your shelter with proper ventilation.
If your oxygen is limited, rest to conserve your energy and avoid overexertion.
Natural Support: Lungwort and Mullein are the best plants you can use to help with any respiratory issues.
Once you take these as a tincture, you get to see improvements in less than 5 days. What’s great about it is that it lasts over 7 years in your pantry, so they got you covered in a crisis.
Heart Disease
If you experience stress, eat a poor diet, or lack medication, you may suffer a heart attack or stroke, which can be fatal without emergency care.
Stock your prescribed heart medications, practice daily stress reduction through meditation or deep breathing.
Also, maintain a heart-healthy diet with low-sodium, nutrient-dense foods.
Ensure your group knows how to recognize heart attack signs and assist with your medication if needed.
Natural Support: Hawthorn or garlic may offer mild benefits for your heart.
Stroke and Other Brain/Nerve Issues
If you suffer a stroke, you may experience sudden weakness, slurred speech, or confusion, which can become disabling or fatal without rapid intervention.
Monitor your blood pressure, reduce your salt intake, and learn stroke signs, such as FAST (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to act).
Rest and stay hydrated if affected.
Natural Support: Omega-3 supplements or turmeric can support your brain health.
Kidney Failure
If you experience dehydration, infections, or untreated chronic conditions, your kidneys may fail, causing toxic buildup and death.
Purify all your drinking water and aim for at least two liters daily. Avoid high-sodium foods and toxins.
Watch for symptoms like swelling or reduced urine output and prioritize your hydration.
Natural Support: Nettle leaf tea may support your kidney function.
Liver Failure
If you’re exposed to toxins, infections, or poor diet, your liver may become damaged, causing jaundice, fatigue, or organ failure.
Avoid alcohol and contaminated food or water, and consume nutrient-rich foods to support your liver function.
Natural Support: Milk thistle may offer mild support for your liver. And if you pair it up with Dandelion Root and Schisandra Berries, you get a tincture so powerful it can remove pounds of toxic waste from your body.
All you have to do is turn them into a tincture, put around 10 drops a day under your tongue, and it can flush away even bacteria that tends to hook to your organs, even parasites, microplastics, heavy metals, and so many others. The one I added to my home pharmacy is actually made by one of the top herbalists in America. You can get yours from here.
Thyroid Disorders
If you have a thyroid imbalance, you may experience fatigue, heart issues, or organ failure without medication.
Stock your thyroid medications and store them in cool, dry conditions. Include iodine-rich foods if available.
Natural Support: Ashwagandha may support your thyroid function.
Autoimmune Diseases
If you have conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, flare-ups can cause pain and organ damage without treatment.
Use anti-inflammatory foods and reduce stress with daily stretching or meditation.
Natural Support: Turmeric or ginger can reduce your inflammation slightly.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s, UC)
If you have gut inflammation, you may experience pain, malnutrition, and dehydration, escalating without care. Stock gut-friendly foods and probiotics if available, and avoid your trigger foods.
Natural Support: Slippery elm may soothe your gut.
Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illnesses
If a tick bites you, it may transmit infections that can damage your nerves and joints. Check your body for ticks daily and remove them carefully.
Wear protective clothing and use repellents.
Natural Support: Japanese knotweed is used traditionally.
Meningitis and Encephalitis
If you contract a brain infection, it can escalate rapidly, causing fever, headache, and confusion that may lead to death or disability.
Avoid contaminated water and maintain strict hygiene. Isolate yourself if you show symptoms.
Natural Support: Elderberry may support your immunity.
Severe Anxiety, Stress, and Depression
If you face mental health challenges, they can intensify in a collapse, reducing your coping ability and increasing your risk of suicidal thoughts.
Practice daily stress reduction, build community bonds, and stay engaged in shared tasks.
Natural Support: Chamomile or valerian may offer mild calming effects for your anxiety. It’s generally recommended taking these two with hops and passionflower, as their compounds work better and they are so strong, most people say you shouldn’t take them before driving or operating heavy machinery! Here you can get a tincture made from these 4 plants – it’s organic, NON-GMO, and safe to use for longer periods of time!
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
If you have cognitive decline, it increases your risks of injury, malnutrition, and exposure.
Create a safe, structured environment with clear routines and engage in simple activities.
Natural Support: Ginkgo biloba may offer minor cognitive support for you.
Parkinson’s Disease
If you have Parkinson’s, tremors and mobility issues raise your risk of falls, infections, and malnutrition.
Practice daily mobility exercises and eat soft, easy-to-swallow foods.
Natural Support: Coenzyme Q10 can offer minor support for you.
Osteoporosis and Broken Bones
If you have weak bones, they can fracture easily, leading to immobility, infection, or death without surgery.
Maintain your calcium and vitamin D intake and learn to use improvised splints.
Natural Support: Nettle may support your bone health.
Adrenal Failure
If your stress hormones fail, you may experience low blood pressure and shock.
Stock electrolyte powders and emergency salt, recognize early signs like extreme fatigue or dizziness, and maintain your hydration.
Natural Support: Licorice root may provide mild support for you.
Type 2 Diabetes
If you don’t have insulin or medication, uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to a coma or organ damage.
Stock your diabetes medications and test strips, and focus on low-carb foods to stabilize your blood sugar. Monitor for symptoms like thirst or fatigue to catch spikes early.
Natural Support: Type 2 diabetes is a very common condition, especially among seniors. In The Holistic Guide to Wellness you can find the only holistic protocol that can put Diabetes 2 into remission. Some of the remedies you can find here are so simple, you can make most of them with ingredients you already have in your pantry. Click here to check out the other 44 herbal protocols that can reverse or manage even some of the most serious health issues you or a loved one might be concerned about, especially in a crisis.
Written by Dr. Nicole Apelian, this fantastic guide details how to manage 45 common conditions using plants, including:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Insomnia
- Chronic Pain
- Leaky Gut
- Ulcer
- Osteoporosis
- Acne
- Parasites
- Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Fungal Infections
And many more. If you have a health issue, this guide will help you manage it more effectively.
24-HOUR FREE PREVIEW FOR ALL PROTOCOLS HERE
Cancer
If you have cancer, it can progress without treatment, causing pain, organ failure, and death. Focus on prevention with clean food, avoiding toxins, and staying active.
Monitor for unusual symptoms like lumps or weight loss.
Natural Support: Cruciferous vegetables or turmeric may support your general health but, of course, they cannot treat cancer.
Final Thoughts
In a post-SHTF world, health risks—from infections to chronic conditions—can become life-threatening without modern care. Preparation goes beyond supplies; it requires skills, community collaboration, and vigilance. Build a medical kit with essentials like bandages, antiseptics, and medications.
Learn first aid, and train your group to share responsibilities.
Store supplies in cool, dry conditions and rotate them to avoid expiration. If resources run out, focus on prevention through hygiene, clean water, and stress management. Every measure you take now improves your odds of survival.
As you may have noticed, many of the complications discussed are caused by poor-quality hydration, specifically the consumption of contaminated water. This is especially critical for anyone aiming to maintain optimal health. Access to clean water involves two aspects: water availability and water purity. To benefit from both without relying on the grid, I suggest adopting a cutting-edge solution like The Water Freedom System.
You may also like:
18 Dangerous Health Mistakes To Avoid When SHTF
The Antibiotic That Probably Grows in Your Own Backyard (Video)
The At-Home Test That Can Tell You How Healthy Your Heart Is
