Unfortunately, there is no cure for the common cold, but there are ways you can speed up the healing process and make your body feel better when you're sick. If you take good care of yourself by getting enough sleep, drinking enough fluids, and eating right, your cold will get better quickly!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Relieve Cold Symptoms
Step 1. Sleep
Getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do to help heal that annoying cold. The body is battling against and eliminating the cold virus, so you feel more tired.
If you can, don't go to school or work. If you can't, lighten the workload. During your lunch break, go to the UKS, and ask if you can rest there until the break is over
Step 2. Hydrate
Dehydration should be prevented, because it can make it difficult for the body to fight a cold. Drink plenty of water, orange juice, and tea. Avoid soda (even those labeled sugar-free) and coffee, as sugar and caffeine overload the immune system, slowing the healing process.
- Hot liquids, in particular, can help relieve congestion and relieve throat and nasal inflammation. Try hot water with honey and lemon, or a soothing mint tea.
- Avoid milk (and other dairy products) because it can increase mucus production and make you feel worse.
Step 3. Gargle to clear the throat
There are various types of mouthwash that can be used to help relieve throat congestion and congestion. Mouthwash can be purchased at any pharmacy, but it can also be made at home very easily.
- Try mixing 1/4-1/2 tsp of salt in 240 ml of warm water.
- Mix a little honey and apple cider vinegar in 240 ml of warm water.
- Brew 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in 480 ml of hot water. Add 1 tsp of honey, and let stand until it reaches room temperature before using it to gargle.
Step 4. Blow your nose properly
Sucking the mucus back in, instead of blowing it out, can aggravate the cold and hurt the eardrum, causing earaches in addition to other cold symptoms. There is a correct way to blow your nose. Again, if not done properly, it can hurt the eardrum.
The correct way to blow your nose is to press one finger in one nostril, then blow gently to open the blockage in the other nostril. Repeat the procedure for the first nostril, and both nostrils will feel more relieved. Remember, wash your hands after blowing your nose
Step 5. Use over-the-counter medications
The drug is only to help relieve the symptoms that occur. There is no specific medicine that can prevent or cure the common cold. In addition, medications to treat cold symptoms can cause unpleasant side effects and make symptoms worse when the medication is stopped. However, they can help provide some relief, especially at night, so you can sleep.
- Decongestants are used to relieve nasal congestion/blockage, and are usually available in the form of a spray or tablet. These medications provide temporary relief of symptoms, and are usually best taken at night while trying to sleep (after all, many of these medications cause drowsiness). DO NOT take for more than 7 days.
- Pain relievers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin can help relieve fever and pain (such as pressure from blocked sinuses). You should not take this medicine if you are under 16 years of age. Be sure to check that the pain reliever you choose can be taken with other medications you may be taking.
Step 6. Keep it moist
Because the cold virus thrives in dry environments, and dry air dries the throat and nasal passages, causing a stuffy nose and itchy throat, keeping humidity in the body and home can help relieve cold symptoms.
- You can take a hot shower, then sit in the closed bathroom and breathe in the steam. Adding a little eucalyptus can help temporarily clear the nasal passages.
- Bend over a pot of steaming hot water, and place a washcloth or towel over your head to trap the steam. Take a deep breath.
- You can also use a humidifier. Just make sure the tool is cleaned properly, to prevent mold, fungi, and bacteria.
Step 7. Apply a hot or cold compress to the blocked sinus
This will help relieve the pressure from the mucus in the sinuses, and make you feel better. Pharmacies sell reusable hot and cold compresses, or heat a wet washcloth for 55 seconds in the microwave to make a hot compress, and use a bag of frozen peas as a cold compress.
Step 8. Apply menthol ointment under the nose
Various types of balsam (vapor rub) or menthol ointment, such as Olbas Oil, Vicks, or Mentholatum can help you breathe more comfortably if applied a little just below the nostrils, and also reduce redness and cracked areas in the nostrils.
Step 9. Lift your head
This is important to do, especially at night, because it helps drain mucus that has accumulated in the nasal passages, thus making you sleep more comfortable at night.
Use an extra pillow to support your head
Part 2 of 3: Improve Body Condition Faster
Step 1. Eat chicken soup
Chicken soup has two benefits that can help you heal faster. One, chicken soup acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, and, two, chicken soup speeds up the flow of mucus, thereby relieving a stuffy nose and helping flush out viruses. In addition, chicken soup also helps the body stay hydrated.
Step 2. Eat healthy
Eating healthy is an important part of getting well quickly, and staying healthy after recovery. That means avoiding sugary foods when you're sick: avoiding soda, candy, ice cream, and dairy products.
- Sugar is not good for the immune system. Sugar blocks immune system cells from attacking viruses, preventing you from recovering quickly and staying healthy. Sugar can also irritate areas that are already inflamed (such as the throat).
- Try to eat more brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as berries, citrus fruits, kiwi, apples, red grapes, kale, onions, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, and garlic.
Step 3. Exercise
Exercise helps boost the immune system, so it can fight infections and viruses better. People who don't exercise are more likely to get sick (or catch a cold) than people who exercise. Exercise also triggers the release of chemicals that make your body feel better and help you sleep better, leading to a boost in your immune system.
Even if you don't feel well because of the cold, try to do at least 30 minutes of walking or yoga. That will help speed up the healing process
Step 4. Use a saline nasal spray (physiological saline solution)
Saline rinses and nasal sprays break down mucus that clogs the nasal passages and remove viral and bacterial particles from the nose. You can use a neti pot, which can be purchased at a health food store, or use a bulb syringe.
Mix 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp baking soda in 240 ml warm water. Stick your head over the sink, and gently squirt the saline solution into your nostrils. Plug 1 nostril with your finger while spraying the saline solution into the other nostril, and let the solution drain back out. Repeat 2-3 times on both nostrils
Step 5. Rest
Of course, sleep is essential for curing a cold, but also try not to overwork yourself when you're sick. Thus, the body is not too burdened, so it can better cope with the cold. Even if you don't take frequent naps, lying down reading a book or watching TV can help you feel better.
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding Misunderstandings Regarding the Cold
Step 1. Do not use zinc
Zinc is one of those things whose effectiveness is still debated by people, but recent research doesn't seem to show that zinc is effective for treating the common cold. Zinc can also cause side effects such as a persistent bad taste and nausea.
DO NOT use nasal remedies that contain zinc, as they have been linked to a permanent loss of smell
Step 2. Do not use antibiotics
Antibiotic drugs attack bacteria, not cold viruses. Antibiotics can't help speed up the healing process of a cold. In addition, excessive use of antibiotics causes bacteria to become increasingly resistant to these drugs.
Step 3. Do not use Echinacea treatment
Echinacea can be used without problems in most people, but it doesn't seem to have any significant effect either. Echinacea probably won't help speed up the healing of a cold.
However, if you have asthma, do not take Echinacea medication, as it has been known to exacerbate asthma symptoms
Tips
- Try buying a lavender scented pillow, which can be very soothing.
- Place towels and pajamas on top of the radiator to keep warm (but be careful--radiators, even small ones, run a risk of fire).
- Hugging a teddy bear or other squishy stuffed animal can be very soothing for all ages, children and adults alike. Just make sure to wash the doll after it heals (and don't take it in the bath with you!).
- Herbal teas (peppermint, jasmine, etc.) can be very soothing. Not only does it taste good, it smells great too--if you can smell it through the mucus in your nose, you know you'll be on the mend soon! In the past, herbal teas were often used as a cure for all ailments. There are herbal teas made specifically to help treat the common cold, such as Gypsy Cold Care tea. While not a cure, herbal teas can be very soothing (tastes great too!).
- Take lots of blankets and place them on your bed, couch, or wherever you rest.
- Getting plenty of rest, eating soup, and drinking tea can be very helpful.
- Drink plenty of water, and blow your nose to expel mucus; do not swallow.
- Use a lavender-scented bed linen spray, and spray it on your pillow before bed.
- Take a hot flannel, not wet, and place it on your nose while resting.
- Massage the sinuses if you feel pain. It can help!
Warning
- Don't get on a plane when you have a cold, as this can increase the pressure on your head and cause damage to your eardrums.
- Don't go to school or work, because you can make other people sick too.
- Be careful not to fall asleep while bathing; It's a good idea to set a timer (timer) to sound (loud) at the desired time to finish the bath.
- If you have children and they are sick, hire a babysitter to prevent the child from getting infected.
