According to the CDC, adults average 2-3 colds a year and children have even more. So what do you do when you feel your nose start to run and your head feels mildly like an overinflated balloon?
-You can’t STOP a cold
First things first, I have bad news. You can’t flat out stop a cold. A cold is a virus and once you get it, it is entirely up to your body to deal with this pesky intruder. So once you start feeling symptoms, skip the prevention tactics and ready your immune system for all out war. Now just because you can’t prevent a cold doesn’t mean you can’t stack the odds in your immune system’s favor. If you are feeling symptoms that means your immune system is already compromised and is looking for some outside help. That is where you come in.
1. Rest
The average cold lasts from 7-10 days. If you want to shorten its hold on you, then you have to call out of work and rest. That’s right I said it. Don’t go to work. At least for one day. Chances are that is where you picked up the cold virus and returning to the scene of the crime isn’t helping anyone (trust me your coworkers will thank you for it). Reducing stress and actually resting (not partaking in a netflix marathon) is guaranteed to give your embattled immune system a boost. So take a 24 hour rest day, it will help you in the long run.
2. Fluids
As soon as you feel that first sniffle, start increasing your hydration. As previously mentioned , good hydration is not only recommonended but essential to keep your immune system going strong. Gatorade and juices are okay, but water has been and always will be your best friend.
3. Hot Tea with Honey and Lemon (Whiskey)
While we are speaking of fluids, hot tea with honey and lemon has been shown in many studies to help reduce the symptoms of a cold. For those of you of legal age, some recent studies suggest that adding a bit (notice I said a bit, not a handle) of whiskey to the mix might help to sooth the pain and induce sleep.
4. Salt Water Gargle
I have yet to meet a patient who enjoys a vigorous salt water gargle. However unpleasant it may be, it is proven to help reduce the symptoms and overall longevity of the cold virus. 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a warm 80z of water; sip, swish, gargle, spit, repeat.
5. Saline Spray (Neti pot)
A good saline nasal spray can help to keep your sinuses lubricated and clear. If you are already stuffy, I recommend a Neti pot. I am the first to admit that this self waterboarding technique is not the most pleasant experience, but it is effective at clearing out blocked up airways.
6. Chicken Soup
Believe it or not, grandma’s old chicken soup has been proven to reduce the severity of cold symptoms and suppress the cold virus. While the homemade variety works best, the canned stuff still posses the right stuff. Makes you wonder what else grandma was right about…
7. Light Exercise
Now before you jump out of your chair and start pumping out jumping jacks, there is a small prerequisite to this one. Before you attempt any exercise make sure to observe number 1 on this list. If after the first 24-48 hours you are feeling a bit better, try a light exercise session. Studies show that a little exercise can boost your immune system, increase the rate at which your body is metabolising the virus, and release some much needed endorphins. Keep your heart rate under 120bpm and make sure to focus on good breathing.
8. EAT!
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard someone complaining of coming down with a cold only to tell me they haven’t eaten anything in 3 days. Like grandma used to say, FEED a cold. Your body is a warzone and needs all the nutrition it can get. Fruits and vegetables have been shown to possess vitamins and minerals essential to optimal immune system function. So go ahead and make sure you eat.
-Things That May or May Not Matter
Here are some other common remedies and advice out there and why they may or may not matter:
Vitamin C/D
While really important to immune system function, taking excessive amounts of either of these two is really just…excessive. You should be getting more than is needed in your diet and napping by a sunny window.
Don’t Drink Milk
We have all heard it. A friend of a friend whose roommate’s brother’s cousin is going to be a doctor told them not to drink milk when you have a cold. Studies have shown that milk in no way affects mucus production or any symptom of a cold. Infact if you are feeling over heated from all the tea and soup, a cool glass of milk may be just what your body needs to deal with this pesky invader.
-You can’t STOP a cold
First things first, I have bad news. You can’t flat out stop a cold. A cold is a virus and once you get it, it is entirely up to your body to deal with this pesky intruder. So once you start feeling symptoms, skip the prevention tactics and ready your immune system for all out war. Now just because you can’t prevent a cold doesn’t mean you can’t stack the odds in your immune system’s favor. If you are feeling symptoms that means your immune system is already compromised and is looking for some outside help. That is where you come in.
1. Rest
The average cold lasts from 7-10 days. If you want to shorten its hold on you, then you have to call out of work and rest. That’s right I said it. Don’t go to work. At least for one day. Chances are that is where you picked up the cold virus and returning to the scene of the crime isn’t helping anyone (trust me your coworkers will thank you for it). Reducing stress and actually resting (not partaking in a netflix marathon) is guaranteed to give your embattled immune system a boost. So take a 24 hour rest day, it will help you in the long run.
2. Fluids
As soon as you feel that first sniffle, start increasing your hydration. As previously mentioned , good hydration is not only recommonended but essential to keep your immune system going strong. Gatorade and juices are okay, but water has been and always will be your best friend.
3. Hot Tea with Honey and Lemon (Whiskey)
While we are speaking of fluids, hot tea with honey and lemon has been shown in many studies to help reduce the symptoms of a cold. For those of you of legal age, some recent studies suggest that adding a bit (notice I said a bit, not a handle) of whiskey to the mix might help to sooth the pain and induce sleep.
4. Salt Water Gargle
I have yet to meet a patient who enjoys a vigorous salt water gargle. However unpleasant it may be, it is proven to help reduce the symptoms and overall longevity of the cold virus. 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a warm 80z of water; sip, swish, gargle, spit, repeat.
5. Saline Spray (Neti pot)
A good saline nasal spray can help to keep your sinuses lubricated and clear. If you are already stuffy, I recommend a Neti pot. I am the first to admit that this self waterboarding technique is not the most pleasant experience, but it is effective at clearing out blocked up airways.
6. Chicken Soup
Believe it or not, grandma’s old chicken soup has been proven to reduce the severity of cold symptoms and suppress the cold virus. While the homemade variety works best, the canned stuff still posses the right stuff. Makes you wonder what else grandma was right about…
7. Light Exercise
Now before you jump out of your chair and start pumping out jumping jacks, there is a small prerequisite to this one. Before you attempt any exercise make sure to observe number 1 on this list. If after the first 24-48 hours you are feeling a bit better, try a light exercise session. Studies show that a little exercise can boost your immune system, increase the rate at which your body is metabolising the virus, and release some much needed endorphins. Keep your heart rate under 120bpm and make sure to focus on good breathing.
8. EAT!
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard someone complaining of coming down with a cold only to tell me they haven’t eaten anything in 3 days. Like grandma used to say, FEED a cold. Your body is a warzone and needs all the nutrition it can get. Fruits and vegetables have been shown to possess vitamins and minerals essential to optimal immune system function. So go ahead and make sure you eat.
-Things That May or May Not Matter
Here are some other common remedies and advice out there and why they may or may not matter:
Vitamin C/D
While really important to immune system function, taking excessive amounts of either of these two is really just…excessive. You should be getting more than is needed in your diet and napping by a sunny window.
Don’t Drink Milk
We have all heard it. A friend of a friend whose roommate’s brother’s cousin is going to be a doctor told them not to drink milk when you have a cold. Studies have shown that milk in no way affects mucus production or any symptom of a cold. Infact if you are feeling over heated from all the tea and soup, a cool glass of milk may be just what your body needs to deal with this pesky invader.
No comments:
Post a Comment