Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for colds, but there are ways to speed up the healing time and find relief when you are sick. If you take good care of yourself by getting enough sleep, getting enough fluids and eating right, that bad cold will be over in no time!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Relieving Cold Symptoms
Step 1. Sleep
Getting enough sleep is one of the most important ways to get rid of a bad cold. The body is already fighting a battle against this ailment and trying to get rid of it, which, as a result, strains the organism.
If you can, stay home, don't go to school or work. It is not possible? Lighten the load a little. During recess or lunchtime, try to rest in a quiet space until the break is over
Step 2. Maintain optimal hydration levels
You must avoid getting dehydrated, as this would hinder the body in trying to fight off a cold. Drink lots of water, orange juice, and tea. Avoid carbonated drinks (even sugar-free ones) and coffee: sugar and caffeine are harmful to the immune system, and healing times will lengthen.
- Hot drinks, in particular, can help relieve congestion, soothe a sore throat and stuffy nose. Try drinking hot water with honey and lemon, or a nice soothing mint tea.
- Avoid milk (and dairy products), as they contribute to mucus production and will make you feel worse.
Step 3. Gargle to relieve a sore throat
There are several types of products you can use to soothe a sore throat and congestion. You can buy mouthwash at the grocery store, but it's pretty easy to make a solution right at home.
- Try mixing 2-4g of salt with 250ml of warm water.
- Mix some honey and apple cider vinegar in a glass containing 250ml of warm water.
- Pour a tablespoon of lemon juice into 500ml of hot water. Add a teaspoon of honey and allow to cool to room temperature before gargling.
Step 4. Blow your nose well
Sniffling when you have mucus instead of blowing it off can make a cold worse, and it can be bad for eardrums. in fact, as if that weren't enough, you could also get an earache. There is also a preferable method of blowing your nose. Doing otherwise can, again, damage the eardrums.
The right way is to press a finger on one nostril and gently blow to release the other. Remember to wash your hands after you're done
Step 5. There is no need to take over-the-counter medications
If you prefer to take them, remember that they only help relieve symptoms. There is no medicine designed specifically to prevent or treat a cold. Also, medications for the symptoms of this disorder can have unpleasant side effects and make the problem worse once you stop taking them. That said, they can help you get some relief, especially at night, so you can sleep.
- Decongestants are used to reduce nasal congestion. They are usually sold as a spray, or are taken orally. Their job is simply to relieve symptoms for a short period of time, and it is generally best to use them in the evening, when trying to fall asleep (by the way, many cause sleepiness). Do not use them for more than 7 days.
- Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin, can help reduce fever and relieve various ailments (such as pressure from congested sinuses). You should definitely not take them if you are under 16. If you are already taking other medications to treat cold symptoms, be sure to check with your doctor to find out if you can take painkillers.
Step 6. Use steam
Colds become more acute in a dry environment, and dry air dries up the throat and nasal passages. This causes stuffy nose and a tingling sensation in the throat, so hydrating your body and increasing humidity levels around the house can help relieve symptoms.
- You can let hot water run in the shower and sit in the bathroom with the door closed; once the room has been enveloped in steam, inhale and exhale. Adding a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil can help open the airways for a few hours.
- Leaning over a pot containing boiling water, place a cloth or towel over your head to keep the steam from dispersing. Breath deeply.
- You can also buy a humidifier, just make sure you clean it properly to avoid mold, fungus and bacteria.
Step 7. Apply hot or cold packs to congested sinuses
This helps relieve the pressure caused by all the mucus in your nose and can allow you to feel better. You can find hot or cold packs at a drugstore or online. Alternatively, heat a damp towel for 55 seconds in the microwave to create a warm compress; for a cold one, use a package of frozen peas.
Step 8. Apply mentholated ointment under the nose
Vicks VapoRub and other menthol-based products of this type can help you breathe more easily; just apply some directly under the nostrils, and they can help relieve redness and chapped areas of the nose.
Step 9. Elevate your head
This is especially important when you sleep; in any case, raising the head helps to drain the nasal airways by eliminating the mucus that has collected inside them. Plus, it allows you to sleep better at night.
Place extra pillows on the bed so they can support and lift their heads while you sleep
Part 2 of 3: Accelerate Healing
Step 1. Eat chicken broth
This dish is quite effective in speeding up healing. First of all, it has an anti-inflammatory function on the body; secondly, it speeds up the movement of mucus, which relieves nasal congestion and can help you get rid of viruses. In addition, it allows you to maintain good hydration.
Step 2. Eat healthy
Healthy eating is essential to recover faster and feel better once you get rid of the cold. This means avoiding candy while you are sick - no fizzy drinks, candy, ice cream and dairy.
- Sugar is quite bad for the immune system. It prevents the cells of the immune system from attacking viruses, which does not allow you to feel better faster and maintain optimal health. Sugar also irritates areas that are already inflamed (such as the throat).
- Try eating more brightly colored fruits and vegetables, such as blackberries, citrus fruits, kiwis, apples, red grapes, kale, onions, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, and garlic.
Step 3. Exercise
Exercise helps you strengthen your immune system, which allows it to fight infections and viruses more effectively. People who don't do sports are much more likely to get sick (and catch a cold) than those who move regularly. Exercise also releases the mood hormone and allows you to sleep better, which actually helps boost your immune system.
While you may feel sick from having a cold, try to walk for at least 30 minutes, or do some yoga. This helps you speed up healing
Step 4. Use a saline nasal spray
Salt water is useful for rinsing the nose, and, in the form of a spray, it loosens the mucus that has congested the nasal airways. Removes viral particles and bacteria from the nostrils. You can buy a tool like the neti lota at a store that sells organic products, or you can just use a bulb syringe.
Mix 2g of salt with 2g of baking soda in a 250ml glass of warm water. Tilt your head over a sink and gently spray the salt water solution into your nostrils. Keep one nostril closed with one finger as you spray saline into the other and let it flow. Repeat 2-3 times with both nostrils
Step 5. Rest
Obviously, sleep is important in recovering from a cold, but when you are sick, also try to do activities that are calm, quiet, and do not require great effort. This way, your body feels less stressed and has less trouble getting rid of this bad cold. While you may not be able to take several naps throughout the day, lying down reading a book or watching some television can help you feel better.
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding Common Misconceptions About the Cold
Step 1. Do not use zinc
The alleged efficacy of this mineral raises numerous debates among the people, but some recent studies do not seem to bet on its usefulness in relieving colds. Zinc can also have side effects, such as leaving a lingering bad taste in the mouth and causing nausea.
Do not use cold remedies that come into direct contact with the nose that contain zinc, because they have been associated with a permanent loss of smell.
Step 2. Don't use antibiotics
These medicines attack bacteria but have no effect on the viruses that caused the cold. They won't help you feel better faster. Furthermore, the abuse of antibiotics has led to problems such as an increasing proliferation of bacteria that resist the active ingredient of the drug.
Step 3. Using echinacea drugs is not particularly effective
Generally, almost anyone can take echinacea, the fact is that it doesn't seem to have any particular health benefits. It seems unlikely to promote faster recovery from a cold.
If you suffer from asthma, do not use this remedy. Echinacea medications are known to cause worsening of asthma symptoms
Advice
- Try buying a lavender-flavored pillow. It is very relaxing.
- Leave the towel and pajamas on a radiator to warm them up (but be careful: radiators can still cause a fire, even the smallest ones).
- Snuggling up with a teddy bear or other cuddly toy can be very comforting at any age, whether as a child or as an adult. Just remember to wash it carefully when you feel better (and don't take it with you even when you soak in a relaxing bath!).
- Herbal teas are particularly calming, especially those based on peppermint, jasmine and so on. Not only do they taste great, they are characterized by a pleasant aroma, even if it is difficult to smell with all the mucus you have in your nose that you are trying to get rid of. In the past, infusions were often considered a bit of a panacea. On the market, herbal teas are specially designed to help calm a cold: look for them at the supermarket or pharmacy. While they don't heal you completely, they still give you a nice comfort (and they taste delicious too!).
- Grab lots of blankets and arrange them on your bed, sofa or anywhere else you are resting.
- It helps to rest a lot, eat broth and sip herbal teas.
- Drink plenty of water and blow your nose, don't swallow the mucus.
- Use scented sheets and lavender fabric spray. Use them on your pillow before going to bed.
- Take a small piece of flannel, moisten it with hot water (do not soak it) and place it on your nose while you rest.
Warnings
- Avoid flying if you have a cold. It can worsen the pressure affecting the head and possibly damage the eardrums.
- Stay home if you have to go to school or work, as you can infect others.
- Be careful not to fall asleep in the bathtub; It is ideal to set a timer (at high volume) to wake you up when you should get out of the water.
- If you are sick and have young children, take them to a babysitter to avoid infecting them.
