It is one of those embarrassing illnesses. You know that kind of sickness that pricks your comfort? It’s one of them. Cold, as simple as it sounds, is a transmittable disease that affects mostly the upper respiratory tracts as well as the nose, the throat, sinuses, eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, and bronchial tubes. It does not however affect the lungs. When medics, in their preference for high-sounding words (not their fault anyway), say coryza or nasopharyngitis or rhinopharyngitis or sniffles, they mean cold; that’s the common cold you know. Cold is reputed as the commonest disease in the world and can knock down people of all race, status and belief. Cold is not really dangerous but it leaves you very awful for about one to three weeks. If not treated at all, it can last as much time as it wants and goes by itself. But you would not want to live with its torment for that long.
No matter how much you spend on medications for cold, you are not assured of any scientifically proven cure. In fact, there is no known medical treatment for cold. Not even antibiotics are able to treat it. We can only go home to try some natural ways to lessen its symptoms. There are thousands of viruses that cause cold, and the human body cannot build up enough resistance to them. That is why an average human being could have cold two times in a year.
What Causes Cold?
Cold is commonly caused by viruses. Some of the cold-causing viruses include: coronaviruses or rhinoviruses, human parainfluenza virus, human metapneumovirus, coronaviruses adenovirus, human respiratory syncytial virus, enteroviruses, etc. Traditionally, cold is said to be caused by prolonged exposure to cold weather such as rain or winter conditions, which seem to be how the disease got its name.
What Are The Symptoms Of Cold?
There are a number of symptoms. Some of them are: cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, headache, fatigue, loss appetite, mild fever, sneezing, hoarse voice, watery eyes or redness and or itchiness of eyes, etc.
What Are The Simple Home Remedies For Cold?
- Drink Hot Tea
Many people already know that the commonest way of curing cold is drinking hot liquid. The liquid can be just water or juice. Tea is preferred because it is both food and a good way to keep the throat and nose hydrated. As a way of preventing dehydration, hot tea can naturally treat flus. Use chamomile and green tea specifically; they can be extremely effective in treating a cold. Tea generally acts as an antioxidant which can help remove any toxins in the body as well as bacterial infections. Remember cold is caused by virus.
- Use Vitamin C
Using Vitamin C is a reliable effective natural home remedy for cold. It increases the production of white blood cells, and can also help prevent the multiplication of viruses. Among other things, Vitamin C reduces mucus and inflammation in the nasal passageways. Food items that contain Vitamin C as nutrient include tomatoes, oranges, lemons, strawberries, cabbage, etc. They are promising remedy for cold.
- Eat Garlic
Antiseptic properties that could help protect the immune system against a common cold are contained in garlic. Isn’t it ironic that with its unpleasant smell, it serves pleasant causes? It has also been scientifically proven that the allocine contained in garlic can also act as a stimulant for the production of white blood cells. The oil in garlic also opens the respiratory passages (blocked by the cold) and if taken in soup form, it can help flush out all the toxins in your system and also bring down fever level. Boil three to six cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water, and drink the liquid in soup form. Do this two to three times a day. Should you find it difficult to drink garlic, add drops of garlic oil to your food or drink.
- Take Honey
It is no longer news that honey is a good fighter against cold. It has been tested and trusted over the years. It greatly shortens the life span of cold in an infected person’s body. Experts have found that buckwheat honey can help treat a cough because it coats and soothes an irritated throat. Some other researchers have found that it can also help sick children sleep better at night as well. It is however not recommended that honey be used for children under the age of one year. It is said to have the potential to cause botulism in those children.
- Gargle Salt Water
That may sound silly, but every good thing must not sound smart. Gargling is achieved by taking some liquid into the mouth, facing up and keeping the liquid in continuous motion by exhaling through it with the mouth. Take a mouthful of salt water into your mouth and gargle with it. This may be difficult in children who may immediately swallow the water. You can help them understand why they have to do it. Help them do it as much as they can. Gargling with salt water helps remove any bacteria from the mouth and throat. The salt water does not need to be overly salty.
- Eat Ginger
In treating common cold, try eating ginger raw or drinking ginger tea. Take about ten grams of ginger and cut it up into small pieces. Then boil it in a cup of water. Drink the mixture as you would drink hot tea. Do this at least two times a day. It will help reduce those symptoms and ultimately the cold disease itself.
- Make your Meal Peppery
Pepper contains capsaicin components which are known to reduce the thickness of mucus. They are also effective in helping getting rid of the germs in the nasal passages. If you have a runny or congested nose, add more pepper to your meal. Even, simply smelling pepper can help break apart any congestion in your lungs or sinuses. Pepper can help break up congestion effectively.
- Use Cinnamon
This is another natural home remedy for cold. It is a spice made from the inner back of species of tree that belong to the family cinnamomum. Boil one teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a glass of water and then add some pepper powder and raw honey for extra effects. You can also add a little extra cinnamon to your food. Cinnamon is known to help ease the pain of a dry or sore throat. It is praised by many for its effective healing properties.
- Hot Chicken Soup
Chicken soup contains a lot of nutrients and vitamins that are essential in treating common cold. It’s no wonder that chicken soup has been one of the most effective and relished home remedies for cold. Scientific studies have shown that it can actually lessen the thickness of mucus secretions. The carbohydrates from the broth and noodles can help maintain younger people’s energy level too. A chicken soup well prepared will make you start salivating immediately you place your eyes on it and will help to fight the cold when eaten.
- Get Enough Sleep
We all know how therapeutic sleep is. Now, know it that it also serves in treating cold. Even if you’re eating and drinking all of the right things, and taking the right supplements, you’re not going to feel better without enough sleep. Make sure you sleep as much as you can when you’re feeling under the weather, and you’ll hopefully be feeling better in no time at all! Sleeping may really be a little difficult with blocked nose, but you just got to try. It eases off a lot of things.
- Breathe in Steam
Cold causes a troubling nasal congestion. When you breathe in steam, this blockage is at least temporarily relieved. Some of the sinuses pressures are also lessened. If you don’t want to take hot shower, just fill a pot with hot/ steaming water, then cover your head over the pot with cloth, preferably a towel and breathe in the steam. It soothes the tissues of the nose and throat. For better and more effective steam inhaling, think of adding on essential oil, say, eucalyptus. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy suggest adding 3 to 7 drops of eucalyptus oil to boiling water and inhaling the steam through the nose. To avoid irritation during inhalation, please close your eyes.
- Blow your Nose Properly
This may sound unnecessary but it is important especially the need to blow it properly and correctly. When you blow the nose correctly it clears the nasal passages as much as possible. Sniffing mucus back up can force it into the ears and lead to an earache. To blow the nose correctly, you should gently press your fingers on one nostril enough to block it and gently blow the other nostril into a tissue; then switch this operation to blow the other nostril. Don’t press hardly and don’t blow ferociously; you would end up getting choked and leave some weak mucus to block your nostrils. The body is quick in healing itself when you are friendly and work together with it. Don’t force it! You have to pay attention to your body and know when it wants you to help it ease off.
- Mix Milk and Turmeric
Drinking a glass of warm turmeric milk before sleeping helps in faster recovery from cold and cough. Turmeric has a strong antioxidant which helps in treating many health problems. Turmeric mixed in warm milk is a popular and effective way to fight against cold and cough. Although common in Indian kitchens, it is more than a mere ingredient.
- Eat Amla
Amla is a strong immunomodulator and body immunity booster. It fights against many diseases. Eating one amla regularly provides many health benefits as it ensures the proper functioning of the liver and improves blood circulation. It is commercially cultivated in Uttar Pradesh in India.
- Drink Carrot Juice
Not every health tip sounds believable but you just have to give it a shot. It’s juice by the way; it doesn’t kill. There is no risk attached, you know. This uncommon home remedy is great to fight common cold and cough. It may sound strange but this interesting drink helps in relieving common cold and cough!
- Put Hot Packs on Your Sinuses
You can buy reusable ones at a drugstore. Or make your own. Take a damp washcloth and heat it for 30 seconds in a microwave. Test the temperature first to make sure it’s right for you. You should watch the microwave closely and be ready to switch it off if you notice any funny behaviour.
- Try an Extra Pillow under Your Head
Because of the congestion in your nose, you may need to have your head higher when you sleep. Do this at night when you sleep to help relieve congested nasal passages. If the angle is too awkward, place the pillows between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.
- Use a Humidifier
This is mostly used for children. While children can still be treated with the above methods, a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer can decrease cold symptoms, such as a sore throat, cough, and congestion in children. Mothers, nurses and other caregivers can place a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier in the child’s room to add moisture to the home. Don’t forget to change the water constantly; maybe, daily. Remember to also clean the units as recommended by manufacturers.
- Inhale Lemon Grass
Get a grass of lemon and inhale. The flavour helps decongest the nose. You can also boil it in water and inhale the steam.
Can Cold be Prevented?
Prevention is the best medicine, not just for cold but for everything – every sickness. Although it is not always possible to prevent a cold, certain precautions may possibly be of help to some extent. Below are a few ways to decrease the chances of developing cold.
- Frequent Hand-Washing
Remember what causes cold? Virus. Viruses can live on the hands, which is why regular hand-washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting and spreading a cold. When washing hands, you should use soap and water and rub both hands together for about 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers containing alcohol are an option if soap and water are not available. It is important to take hand-washing seriously; it saves a lot of pains and pence.
- Keeping The Immune System Strong
It’s almost impossible to avoid all germs. By keeping the immune system strong and working well one will increase one’s chances of fighting off the germs they encounter. Getting plenty of sleep, exercising, and eating a well-balanced diet are important ways of boosting the immune system. Avoiding smoking and keeping stress levels down can also keep the immune system strong.
- Not Sharing Germs
When someone does have a cold, it’s important that they take a few precautions to avoid spreading the infection. These steps include: staying home from work or school to avoid exposing other people to the virus, moving away from other people when sneezing, coughing or sneezing into a tissue, throwing away any used tissues so other can’t handle them. People who have a compromised immune system, such as those on certain medications, should pay special attention to cold prevention methods. Someone with a lower immune system may be more likely to develop complications and may take longer to recover from a cold.
- Covering The Body Properly In Cold Weather Or Season
As it is traditionally believed that prolonged exposure of the body to cold can cause cold, it is advisable not to expose the body to cold. Cover the body properly in cold weather or season and use hot or warm water when taking a bath. You may have less chances of getting sniffles when you keep the body constantly warm.
Bignedu
Note: Though the above is verifiable, it is only a general information and is neither a professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care nor is it a substitute thereof. The piece does not cover all conditions or remedies associated with the illness. Make effort to consult with your physician or other qualified health personnel as necessary. Please see our Terms & Conditions at the footer area.
