Ways to Treat a Cold

Author: Laura McKinney
Date Of Creation: 2 August 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
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How To Treat A Cold | How To Cure Common Cold | Best Medicine For A Cold And Fever And Sore Throat
Video: How To Treat A Cold | How To Cure Common Cold | Best Medicine For A Cold And Fever And Sore Throat

Content

Unfortunately, there is no cure for the common cold completely. Although many colds can last, most colds go away on their own within 3 to 7 days. Treatment for the common cold may only be limited to the relief of symptoms. The following steps will help you relieve cold symptoms.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Clear nasal cavity

  1. Avoid blowing your nose too much. Your natural instincts may cause you to blow your nose when your nose is blocked, but there are conflicting opinions about the effects of blowing your nose. Many studies have shown that trying to blow your nose too hard can lead to a buildup of pressure that will trap mucus in the nasal cavity and possibly lead to infection. On the other hand, some experts believe that blowing your nose is essential when you have a cold, as it helps the body remove excess mucus in the nose, helping to clear the nose. However, you should only blow your nose when you feel it is absolutely necessary.
    • Whatever opinion you believe in, be sure to blow your nose gently to avoid putting pressure on your nose and use only the recommended method: press on one side of your nose with your finger, and blow the nose on the other side, Do the same for the other side of the nose.
    • Avoid "sniffling" and "sniffling" too much, as this will only cause the mucus in your nose to be caught up in your head. If you have to go out, be sure to bring a handkerchief or tissue with you.
    • You should wash your hands after blowing your nose to avoid spreading the cold virus.
    • Frequent blowing can irritate your skin - use a soft, high-quality handkerchief to avoid irritating your skin. You can apply a moisturizer to your nose if needed.

  2. Drink honey lemon tea. This is a simple yet effective cold remedy that has been around for a long time. To make honey lemon tea, boil water, put boiling water in a cup, then stir in 1 ½ teaspoon of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of honey. Honey will relieve a sore throat, while lemon will help clear the nose. Vitamin C is also very good in treating inflammation in general.
    • The tea should work immediately and should ease cold symptoms for a few hours.
    • For optimum effect, drink tea while curled up in an armchair in front of the fireplace. Nasal viruses thrive in cold temperatures, which is why they spread quickly in your nose in cool or cold weather. Studies in Israel have shown that breathing warm air helps reduce cold symptoms. Pressing a warm hand against your nose for half an hour, and breathing through your mouth will also help prevent the spread of cold bacteria.

  3. Use decongestants. Decongestants can help relieve congestion right away by relieving rhinitis and slowing mucus production in the nose. Decongestants are available in pill or spray form and are available at most drugstores.
    • Remember that overuse of decongestants (taking more than 3 to 5 days) can cause more mucus in the nose and risk accumulating bacteria.

  4. Clean the nasal cavity. A popular decongestant in recent years is to use a neti pot shaped nose wash to clean the nasal cavity. A tea pot-shaped nasal wash containing a saline solution is used to pump one side of your nose and the solution drains from the other. This helps to loosen the mucus in your nose so it can be easily passed out.You can find a brine solution at pharmacies, or you can make your own brine solution.
    • To use a nasal wash, bend over the sink and tilt your head to the side. Place the tip of the nasal wash in the nostril closer and pour the saline solution. The saline is pumped into one nose and drained from the other. When you lean back and tilt your head back a little, the salty water can also flow into the nasal cavity.
    • Once the water has drained, gently blow your nose and do the same for the other side of your nose.
  5. Use an expectorant. You might consider using an expectorant to help clear your nose by thinning mucus in your nose and helping to loosen phlegm, freeing up your airways, making it easier for you to breathe.
    • Expectorants are available in liquid, powder, and pill form that you can buy at pharmacies without a prescription.
    • Side effects of expectorants include nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and vomiting. If you have one of these symptoms, you should go to the hospital right away.
  6. Use essential oils. Essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, cloves, and tea tree oil act to clear the nose, making it easier for you to breathe. There are many ways you can use essential oils. One of the ways is to add 1 or 2 drops of selected essential oil to a bowl of warm water. Soak a clean washcloth in the water, wring it out, then cover it with a towel and let it sit for a few minutes. Take a deep breath and in just a few minutes, you should see an improvement in your breathing.
    • You can also add 1 or 2 drops of essential oil to a little Vaseline to make "wind oil" and massage it on your chest or feet before bed.
    • Alternatively, you can put 1 or 2 drops of essential oil in your nightgown or in the bath so you can easily breathe in the steam.
  7. Take a warm bath. The warmth of the water not only helps to clear your nose, but also relaxes you. If the heat of the water makes you feel dizzy, you can put a plastic chair or stool in the bathroom.
    • If your hair is long, blow-dry it to minimize heat loss after bathing.
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Method 2 of 3: Take care of yourself

  1. Take time to relax. Take leave from school or work for 2 or 3 days. This will limit the virus from spreading to others, and at the same time help you save energy to fight disease. Staying at home will also help you avoid discomfort when you're sick, as well as make it easier to use blankets, drink hot drinks and other amenities when needed to feel more comfortable. This will also help you avoid contracting other diseases, which is especially helpful when your immune system is weakening.
  2. Seek medical attention. You need to let your doctor know about your condition and recommend oral medication. If they give medication, you must take it as directed (usually take it once or twice a day). Your doctor will not necessarily prescribe medicine for all illnesses, usually the cold will go away on its own in 3 to 7 days. If the disease does not go away after 7 days, you should see a doctor.
  3. Drink full warm water. Staying hydrated will help reduce symptoms like headaches and sore throats, and will also help prevent dehydration. Drinking hot tea and hot soups is a great way to hydrate your body, clear your sinuses, and reduce infection of your nose and throat.
    • Drink enough water to quench your thirst. Drinking enough water while you're sick is important, but if you drink too much, you will force your liver and kidneys to work too hard to process the water in your body. When you are sick, you should drink a little more water than usual, but don't drink 12 to 15 glasses of water a day.
    • One sign that you are drinking enough water is that your urine will be clear white. A deep yellow color is a sign that the body doesn't have enough water to dissolve and dilute it - you should drink more water.
    • Avoid drinking coffee at all costs. Coffee contains caffeine, which can make cold symptoms worse.
  4. Rest much. You need to focus all your energies to fight the cold virus. If you don't let your body rest properly, you can make the illness worse. You should sleep a lot and not exercise too much. Keep your head up while sleeping, as this will help clear your nose.
    • Use an extra pillow to raise your head - even if you're not used to this pose / If you feel uncomfortable, insert a pillow between the sheets and the mattress for comfort than.
  5. Gargle with warm salt water and want to bloom. Gargling with warm salt water will moisten the throat and fight infection as salt is a natural antiseptic. Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and stir. You can add a little baking soda to help reduce the "taste" of the salt. Rinse your mouth with this solution about four times a day to temporarily relieve a sore throat.
    • Remember not to mix the solution too Be salty and avoid using this method regularly as it can worsen symptoms. If too salty, the solution can damage the mucosa. You will then need to add more water to the mixture. When you rinse your mouth, you may feel a bit of pain, like the feeling of the stuffy on your nose.
  6. Use a humidifier or an essential oil heater. When you use either of these to keep the air moist during your resting period, you will feel more comfortable. This is really helpful if your nose or throat is dry or irritated. Remember, while a humidifier can help ease your throat, it may not help relieve cold symptoms or help you get better faster.
    • Studies have suggested that humidifiers and aromatherapy do more harm than good. This is because humidifiers can spread pathogens, mold, and toxins, and cause an uncomfortable burning sensation. Decide for yourself whether or not to use a humidifier.
  7. Keep the body warm. It is very important to stay warm when you are sick, as cold winds will make you feel chills and feel weaker. Wear extra tops during the day and add blankets to sleep or when resting in an armchair. While keeping yourself warm won't help you get rid of a cold, it will make you feel better.
    • There are many opinions that you should sweat to treat colds, but there are no studies to back this up. However, many people think that jogging when the body first starts showing cold symptoms will help prevent them from catching a cold.
  8. Use common cold medicines. These medicines cannot cure a cold, but they certainly relieve symptoms like headache, stuffy nose, fever, and sore throat. Remember that the common cold medicines can cause side effects including nausea, upset stomach, and dizziness. Always check for side effects of medications and consult your doctor if you are taking additional medications.
    • Analgesics (pain relievers), including acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen, can be effective if cold symptoms include muscle aches, headache, or fever. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers because it can cause Reye's syndrome (botulism syndrome).
    • Antihistamines are a common ingredient in over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, which can help reduce runny nose and tears.
    • Cough suppressants, also called cough suppressants, help stop coughing attacks. Only use cough medicine if you have a dry cough. Sputum coughs should not be suppressed as it helps the body get rid of mucus. Do not use over-the-counter cough medicine for children under 4 years of age.
    • Only over-the-counter medicines containing decongestants should be used if the nose is swollen and has difficulty breathing. These drugs constrict the blood vessels in your nose, making it easier for you to breathe. Antihistamines will make you more comfortable, and make you sleepy so you can sleep better when you are sick.
    • Use an expectorant to thin mucus, making it easier to cough if it's too thick and difficult to cough.
  9. Avoid smoking. Tobacco use can weaken your resistance and increase the severity of some cold symptoms. You should avoid coffee, tea with caffeine, and soft drinks.
  10. Eat chicken soup. Several studies have shown that consuming chicken soup will slow down the white blood cell movement that causes cold symptoms.In addition, hot soup will help clear the nose and soothe a sore throat.
    • You can also add a pinch of red cayenne pepper to the bowl of soup, as the spicy flavor of the seasonings will help you feel more alert.
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Method 3 of 3: Strengthening the Immune System

  1. Use functional foods. Taking a supplement that contains essential vitamins and nutrients is one way to help you boost your immune system. You can take vitamin C or zinc supplements, or you can take a multivitamin. If you don't like fish, you can still replenish the beneficial fatty acids in fish by taking an Omega-3 supplement, which has been shown to be effective in strengthening the system. immunity.
    • You can find supplements at drug stores, supermarkets, and health food stores.
    • Immune-boosting supplements may not help you get rid of a cold quickly, but it will keep you from getting sick in the future.
  2. Eat garlic. The antioxidants in garlic will help keep the heart healthier, strengthen the resistance and help maintain blood circulation. One of the best benefits that garlic brings is its ability to enhance the activity of immune cells.
    • Crush a fresh clove of garlic with a teaspoon of honey and quickly chew and swallow the mixture.
  3. Add more zinc. The latest research has shown that within a day of cold symptoms appear, if you add more zinc to your body, you will heal faster a day than usual and will not experience many symptoms. serious illness.
  4. Eat raw honey. Honey is a natural substance that boosts the immune system thanks to its antiviral properties. Honey will also help soothe a sore throat, which is good news for cold sufferers. You can eat a teaspoon of honey on its own, or mix it with hot water or tea to make a healthy drink.
  5. Add more vitamin C. Consider taking vitamin C supplements, drinking orange juice and eating fruits high in vitamin C, such as oranges, kiwis, and strawberries. Although there is still a lot of controversy surrounding using vitamin C to fight colds, many people still believe that taking vitamin C will help you get rid of a cold quickly.
  6. Use echinacea (echinacea). Echinacea is an herbal supplement that many people take to boost the immune system and fight off disease-causing viruses. Although many scientists still argue about their effects, many studies have shown that chamomile will help reduce the risk of colds, and also help you recover quickly. Try wild chamomile pills when some symptoms of a cold appear.
  7. Use elderberry syrup (elderberry). Elderberry is a natural immune booster, so use a teaspoon of elderberry syrup - which you can buy at drugstores - every morning, or you can add more A few drops of elderberry syrup in a cup of juice drink every morning.
  8. Prevent germs from spreading. Don't share food or drinks with others, and change the pillowcase every day or every other day when you are sick. This will reduce the risk of infection, and will also help remove pathogens from your environment.
    • Wash your hands after you blow your nose. While this will not help you get rid of the disease, it will keep the virus from spreading to others.
    • The less contact with others, the better. When you have any kind of cold, the cold virus (usually the rhino virus, or the corona virus) can easily pass on to the people you come into contact with. Taking leave is a "good" way. If you need to go to work, avoid physical contact with others, avoid touching objects and wash your hands often. This will help keep you from getting a bad cold.
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Advice

  • Use extra pillows to support your head and chest at a 45 degree angle if you wake up from a runny or stuffy nose.
  • If you have a bad cold, sneeze or / and cough a lot, you should take time off. This will keep you from spreading the virus to others and you can also have more time to rest, making you better faster.
  • If you have a high fever, you can place a wet washcloth on your forehead. It will help reduce your fever and feel cooler.
  • Put some wind oil in the saucepan and add boiling water, then cover your head with a cloth and face it near the pot. While it may feel hot and humid, it will help relieve congestion and reduce fever.
  • Wash your hands after sneezing.
  • Disinfect the items you touch to avoid spreading the virus.
  • Avoid blowing your nose too often. Blowing your nose too much will make the lining of your nose dry and painful.
  • Apply wind oil to the soles of your feet before going to bed, then put on socks.
  • Use a cloth or cotton blanket to keep you warm. However, you should avoid overheating, especially if you have a fever, as this could worsen.
  • Be physically active. For example, running is a great way to boost your immune system and also help you feel better.

Warning

  • If the cold persists for more than 7 days, you should see your doctor because your condition may be getting worse.
  • If you have a fever above 38 degrees Celsius, see your doctor. High fever, chills are signs of a serious flu.
  • For home remedies, consult your doctor before taking more than the prescribed dose of vitamin C.
  • The US Food and Drug Administration warns that the Zicam cold decongestant gel may reduce / lose the sense of smell. These products have now been recalled. However, this warning is not for other Zicam products.