When you're sick, you don't feel like you used to. During a common acute (short-term) illness such as a cold and flu, there are things you can do to feel better. Even if you have to wait for the disease to heal, at least you can ease the symptoms a little.
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Part 1 of 3: Relieves Symptoms
Step 1. Meet the body's fluid needs
Drink plenty of healthy fluids during your illness, such as water, fruit juices, etc. Fluids like this will help replace fluids lost due to illness and relieve airway obstruction.
The amount of fluid that should be drunk varies from person to person, depending on age, climate, activity level, etc., drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water is often recommended as a general rule of thumb
Step 2. Drink hot drinks and/or soup
Tea, broth, or soup can relieve a variety of symptoms (such as cough, sore throat, and stuffy nose). The warmth of the drink will also provide an instant sense of comfort.
- Caffeinated drinks are not the best choice during your illness as they can cause dehydration.
- Try herbal teas instead. Chamomile, for example, has calming properties. Echinacea is also a great traditional choice, some studies show that echinacea can reduce the severity and duration of colds.
- Honey added to tea will soothe a sore throat and act as a cough suppressant.
Step 3. Humidify the air with a humidifier
If the ambient air is dry, turning on a humidifier or vaporizer can humidify it, and relieve a stuffy nose and cough. Be sure to keep your humidifier clean, a dirty water reservoir or air filter can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, both of which can exacerbate symptoms of the disease.
Step 4. Blow your nose properly
If you have a stuffy nose, don't make it worse by cleaning it the wrong way. Close one nostril and blow the other nostril slowly to avoid hurting your ear. Wash your hands afterward.
Applying cold or hot compresses to the nostrils can also help relieve nasal congestion, as can nasal sprays and saline solutions
Step 5. Relieve sore throat
If your illness makes your throat hurt, besides drinking warm drinks, try using other treatments regularly to relieve the pain.
- You can rinse your mouth every few hours. Dissolve -½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle to soothe a sore throat.
- Over-the-counter throat sprays can also relieve pain. Be sure to carefully follow all the instructions on the packaging of the drug regarding the dosage and frequency of use.
- Cough gums, lozenges, ice cubes, and even hard candies and popsicles can relieve sore throats (but don't give them to children because they risk choking).
Step 6. Use a neti pot
A neti pot, also known as nasal irrigation, is a device for rinsing blocked nasal cavities and sinuses.
- How to use a neti pot varies depending on the manufacturer, but generally you should tilt your head, breathe through your mouth, and slowly pour the sterile saline solution from the neti pot into one nostril and out the other.
- Use distilled or sterile water (don't use water straight from the tap) and sterilized tools. Follow all neti pot usage guidelines carefully.
Step 7. Relieve aches and pains in general
Over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, naproxen, fever medications etc., can help relieve aches, pains, fever, etc. Use as directed and heed the warnings. While they can relieve symptoms of the disease and make you feel better, these medications will not cure the disease itself.
Consult a pediatrician or pharmacist before giving medication to children
Step 8. Take an Epsom salt bath
Epsom salt can relieve body aches and pains, provide the magnesium that the body so needs, as well as having a detoxifying effect.
Dissolve Epsom salt in warm water. Follow the instructions on the package to find out how much Epsom salt should be added to 1 liter of water. You can also use a bucket or tub to just soak your feet if you don't want to take a bath
Step 9. See a doctor if your condition does not improve
Usually, you don't need to see a doctor if you just have a cold, mild flu, sore throat, or some other common ailment. However, you should pay close attention to the symptoms and duration of the disease. You should seek medical attention if you notice prolonged symptoms, or:
- Fever for more than 10 days.
- High fever (more than 39.5 °C, or more than 38 °C in infants aged 3 months or less) or fever for more than 3 days.
- Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath, persistent coughing, etc.)
- Discharge from the eyes or ears
- Severe pain
- Stiff neck
- Rash
- Signs of dehydration (feeling very weak or dizzy, dry mouth, decreased urination)
- When in doubt, seek medical advice.
Part 2 of 3: Comforting the Body
Step 1. Prioritize healing the disease
This means canceling any plans you have made and telling others (such as your parents, family, or work) that you are sick. The more you focus on taking care of yourself, the better your chances of a speedy recovery.
Step 2. Prepare the recovery room
Go where you can rest and feel comfortable, such as a bedroom or living room. If there's someone else, make sure they can help and don't annoy you. Keep everything necessary for your illness close by, for example, a blanket or coat to keep you warm, a hot water bottle, a book or movie for you to watch, a drink and a bucket (if you feel nauseous), etc.
- If you have a fever, also prepare a cool, damp cloth. If you feel hot, place a cloth on your forehead or other body parts to relieve the fever.
- Avoid smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke.
Step 3. Take a warm bath or bath
The warm temperature will help to cool your body so you can rest well afterwards. Plus, the steam will moisturize and soothe your nasal passages, making you feel better if you have a stuffy nose. After a shower or bath, return to the room you have prepared to recover and warm up with a blanket or coat. Lie back, relax, and make yourself comfortable.
Part 3 of 3: Rest and Relax
Step 1. Get plenty of sleep
Take frequent naps while you recover. Try to get 8-10 hours of sleep every day while you are sick. This will help the body channel energy to fight disease.
Step 2. Avoid strenuous exercise
During illness, do not do excessive physical activity, only do light exercise such as yoga or walking. However, if you have breathing problems (cough, blocked lungs, etc.) or fever and/or body aches, you should avoid any kind of exercise.
Step 3. Limit your activities
Try not to work, feel stressed, do housework, etc., while sick. Your goal is to recover from illness. Limit your activities, and your chances of getting better soon and getting back to doing what you want or need to do will increase.
- If you need to think about something or are bored during your recovery, find some entertainment without the need for a lot of activities like watching TV or reading a book.
- If you can, ask someone else to help with your daily tasks, prepare meals, etc., or if you have things to do while you're sick.
