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Treating a Common Cold or Flu?
In most occasions treating a common cold or flu is done in much the same way. There really is no cure for a cold or flu virus the best that can be done is to reduce the symptoms and help aid the body to fight the cold. It is important to understand that most of the uncomfortable symptoms suffered during a cold are actually the body fighting it off, for this reason they are a pin but necessary. Below are some simple but effective remedies or does and don’ts to help treat your cold or more importantly to make sure it does not worsen.
- First and foremost it is strongly advised to rest and recover as the body needs the energy and relaxation to fight the viral infection and recover.
- Try and stay in a constant warm environment. Moving in and out of hot and cold environments make it more difficult to allow the body to fight off the cold or flu.
- Keep warm by putting on socks gloves and making sure your extremities are not too cold. Wear a scarf to protect your throat from getting cold and to prevent the infection from settling in the throat.
- Gargling is a very underrated practice but is tremendously good in helping the body recover from a cold and in particular relieving any sore throats. People that gargle regularly tend to suffer less from colds and sore throats and when they do contract a virus they tend to suffer milder symptoms. Gargling salt water for one to two minutes three to five times a day whilst suffering from symptoms and just half a minute twice a day when there are no symptoms. Many people feel that with just gargling they can hold a cold at bay.
- For throat pain relief sprays or lozenges can help but gargling is better but be careful not to take too many.
- To help unblock mucus you can try saline (salt water) nasal drops. It is important to make sure the salt water is as salty as your tear drops to not irritate the soft nasal tissue. The more adventurous can try a Netty Pot which is used to flush out the nasal passages and can be particularly helpful during the end of a cold.
- Make sure you take in a lot of liquids such as water and clear soups, this not only helps avoid dehydration the body also needs extra liquids to help fight the infection and also dilutes the mucus allowing it to move more.
- Inhale steam; this can often feel like the last thing you want to do but its important to help bring hot moist air to the lungs, prevent infection and help clear the airways and sinuses. Adding a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil will also help clear the sinuses and allow you to breath more easily.
- To stop the symptoms from getting worse, refrain from smoking or stop smoking altogether for the duration of the cold. Also avoid smoky areas and passive smoking. Also avoid alcohol as this reduces the bodies ability to fight off an infection.
Does taking paracetamol hold the cold at bay? Yes with most people taking a largish dose of paracetamol at the start of a cold can indeed reduce the symptoms and in many cases pause the infection. It will however not cure you and when you stop taking paracetamol the symptoms may then come stronger and for longer. For this reason it is only advisable in extreme situations when an extra day or two may be needed; say when returning from a trip abroad.