Common cold is an annoying medical condition that hit us all at some point of time in life. Although, not usually a serious condition, a cold can cause lot of discomfort and disrupt normal life. It is caused by a viral infection in your upper respiratory tract and can be combined with headache, cough and sometimes even mild fever. In order to get rid of a cold, you must act the moment you first experience the symptoms. There is no proper cure for cold, however, following the steps mentioned below can ease your discomfort and you can get rid of it much faster than you think.
Complexity Level: Moderate
Time Required: 1 to 2 days
Resources Required:
1. Steamer
2. Lemon
3. Honey
4. Ginger
5. Water
Instructions:
1. Rest
The moment you start noticing symptoms of a cold, such as a running nose or chest congestion, try to get as much rest as possible. Instead if you fill your day with activities like running around and working, it would only make matters worse. All your energy must be devoted to your immune system to help ward off the infection. Get home as soon as possible and lie down. You can also have a nice hot steam bath to make yourself comfortable. Giving your system rest will help fight off the virus causing the infection. It can also prevent further complications like pneumonia.
2. Eat well
The last thing you want to do when you are sick is to eat a full meal. Your taste buds would not respond well, in turn affecting your food intake. But this shouldnt stop you from having full meal. Your body is weak and needs nutrients to battle the cold. Eat foods that are protein rich, but at the same time easy to digest. Soups and warm foods are the best as they soothe your throat. Spicing it up a bit with pepper would open all those blocked sinuses, helping you breathe well. It reduces congestion and also acts as an anti inflammatory agent. What you need to avoid are fried foods, fatty foods and sweets which cause digestion problems, thereby hindering your ability to get well soon.
3. Drink fluids
Being sick makes you dehydrated. The only solution to this is to drink as much fluids possible. Your body needs it to metabolize the food you eat and also to fight the cold. Fluids clean your system and replenishes your body. So, have enough fluids to keep yourself going. If you have trouble drinking water you can have broth and even fresh fruit juices. Adding a concoction of crushed ginger, lemon and honey to warm water can also soothe your throat and ease your discomfort. But what you need to avoid is alcohol, soft drinks and coffee.
4. Take supplements
Although taking supplements while having a cold is considered controversial, popping in a few vitamin C capsules won’t harm you. Studies also prove that if you have been consuming Vitamin C supplements on a daily basis, it could help reduce the duration of cold by one day. Whatever the scene may be, it is best to consult your doctor before consuming as there could be certain side effects that could harm you in the long run. Take only the prescribed dosage.
5. Steam inhalation
One of the oldest tricks to get rid of cold is steam inhalation. Fill some boiling water in a saucepan and place on a table. Place your head at a comfortable distance above the pan so that the steam escaping hits your nostrils and you are able to inhale. Use a thick blanket over your head to prevent the steam from escaping and inhale deeply. This clears your sinus and frees you from a blocked nose.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will taking medicines help if I have a cold?
Taking antibiotics for treating your cold does not work as they are effective only in fighting infections caused by bacteria. Since cold is not caused by bacteria, antibiotics don’t help at all.
Quick Tips:
1. Gargling with hot water and salt will help to cure a sore throat.
2. If you have a running nose it is best to clear off the mucus than inhale it back which could cause severe sinus problems.
Things To Watch Out For:
1. While doing the steam inhalation be very cautious as steam can terribly harm your skin if you are too close to it. Also, take care while handling the boiling water.
2. Some medication can have severe side effects like constipation or diarrhea.
3. If your condition worsens, seek the help of a doctor instead of trying to treat it on your own.