Unfortunately, there is no cure for the common cold. Most cold complaints will disappear within 3-7 days, although some take longer than that. Treatment of the common cold is limited to managing its symptoms, which is effective in limiting its duration and potential complications. The following steps will help with the discomfort of the common cold.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Relieve Congested Nose
Step 1. Blow your nose as needed
When your nose feels stuffy, your natural instinct is to blow your nose. However, many are still debating whether this method is good or not. Some studies show that blowing your nose vigorously can actually create pressure and trap mucus in your nose and lead to infection. On the other hand, some experts claim that blowing your nose is the right way to go when you have a cold because it clears up excess mucus and helps clear your nose. As a middle ground, try to only blow your nose when absolutely necessary.
- Whatever you believe, be sure to blow your nose slowly to avoid pressure and use the recommended blowing method of pressing one nostril with your finger, and at the same time, blowing your nose slowly to clear the other nostril. Repeat this step for the other nose.
- It's best to avoid blowing your nose as much as possible, as this will only draw mucus back into your head. If you must leave the house, prepare and bring tissues.
- You should always wash your hands after blowing your nose to prevent the cold virus from spreading.
- Frequent blowing of the nose can irritate the skin. Use a tissue made of soft and high quality to relieve a troubled nose.
Step 2. Drink lemon tea and honey
This is a simple but effective remedy for a simple cure and has been around for a long time. To make lemon and honey tea, boil water, pour it into a glass, and stir together 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice and two teaspoons honey (or to taste). Honey will help soothe a sore throat while lemon will help clear a stuffy nose.
- The tea will immediately show its effect and relieve cold symptoms at least a few hours later.
- To be more comfortable, drink this tea while curled up in a comfortable chair in front of the fireplace. You will immediately feel better.
Step 3. Use a nasal decongestant
Nasal relievers can relieve nasal congestion quickly by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages and slowing mucus production. Nasal congestion relievers are available in tablet and spray form and are sold over-the-counter at pharmacies.
Remember, excessive use of nasal sprays (more than 3-5 days) can exacerbate mucus production and trap bacteria in the nose
Step 4. Rinse the nose
One way to relieve nasal congestion that has become very popular in recent years is the practice of rinsing the nose with a neti pot. A neti pot contains a saline solution that is poured into one nostril and expelled through the other. The saline solution can be purchased at drugstores or you can make your own.
- To use a neti pot, bend over and tilt your head to one side. Insert the hollow end of the pot into one nostril. Pour the saline solution into the nostril. The salty water will flow in one nostril and out through the other.
- When the solution stops dripping, blow your nose slowly, then repeat this step on the other nostril.
Step 5. Take an expectorant
Taking an expectorant can help clear a stuffy nose by loosening mucus, freeing up the airways so you can breathe easier.
- There are expectorant drugs in the form of liquid, powder, and capsules and are sold over the counter.
- Side effects of using expectorant drugs are nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Step 6. Use essential oils
Essential oils, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, clove, and tea tree, can help clear the nasal passages and ease breathing. There are several ways you can work with essential oils. One way is to add a drop or two of the essential oil of your choice to a bowl of warm water. Soak a clean face cloth in a bowl, wring it out, then use it to cover your face and let it sit for a few minutes. Try to take deep breaths and you will feel a change in your breathing in a few minutes.
- You can also mix a drop or two of essential oil in petroleum jelly to make a liniment to rub on your chest or legs before going to bed.
- Alternatively, you can drop a drop or two of essential oil into your pajamas or hot water for a shower to inhale the steam.
Step 7. Take a hot shower
The steam from the hot water will help clear the nasal passages and also serve as relaxation. If the heat of the water makes you a little dizzy, place a plastic chair under the shower.
If you have long hair, use a hairdryer to reduce body heat after showering
Method 2 of 3: Taking Care of Yourself
Step 1. Take time to rest
Take two or three days off from school or work. This will limit your exposure to the virus to others and help you save energy to fight off the disease. Resting at home will help deal with the discomfort of being sick in a productive place and give you the opportunity to feel the blankets, hot drinks, and other comforts you'll need to get well again. This method will reduce the chances of you getting other diseases, when the body's defense system is down.
Step 2. Visit a doctor
Tell your symptoms and ask what medication you should take. If your doctor prescribes medication, be sure to take it as directed (usually once or twice a day). Medication will usually help relieve your illness. However, if the doctor does not prescribe medication, usually the disease you are suffering from will heal by itself within 3-7 days. If after 7 days you have not recovered, visit the doctor again.
Step 3. Drink plenty of warm fluids
Staying hydrated will reduce the effects of many symptoms such as headaches and sore throats and prevent dehydration. Consuming hot tea and soup is a good way to increase fluid intake, help relieve nasal congestion, and reduce inflammation of the nose and throat.
- Drink enough fluids to quench thirst. It's important to drink enough fluids when you're sick, but too much fluid can make your liver and kidneys work very hard to process them. Drink slightly more fluids than normal when you're sick, but that doesn't mean you have to drink 12 or 15 glasses a day.
- A good indication that you are consuming adequate amounts of fluids is clear urine color. A yellower color of urine indicates a high concentration of toxins in the body that are not soluble and liquid enough. So, increase your fluid intake.
Step 4. Get enough rest
Your body needs all the resources to fight the cold virus. If you don't give your body a chance to rest, you are doing nothing but making your body worse. Take naps as often as possible and don't force yourself to do physical activity. Try to elevate your head while sleeping, as this will help drain the nasal passages.
Try to support your head with a few pillows on the bed, even if it looks weird. If the head looks in a funny position, try placing a second pillow between the sheets and the mattress or placing it directly under the mattress to keep it out of sight
Step 5. Gargle with warm salt water and baking soda
Gargling with salt water will help moisturize the throat and fight infection, because salt is a natural antiseptic. Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and stir until dissolved. You can add a little baking soda to remove the saltiness from the salt. Gargle with this liquid up to four times a day to temporarily heal a sore throat.
Make sure the water is not too salty or rinse your mouth too often, as this can dry out your throat and make cold symptoms worse
Step 6. Use a humidifer (a device to humidify a room) or a vaporizer (a vaporizer)
Using a humidifer or vaporizer in the room where you are resting to keep the air moist will make you more comfortable. This will help if your nasal passages or throat are dry and irritated. Although a humidifier can help soothe your throat, it can't relieve cold symptoms or shorten the duration of a cold.
Some research suggests that humidifers and vaporizers may do more harm than good. Because humidifers can spread sources of disease and toxins and cause severe burns. Think carefully about whether using a humidifier is right for you
Step 7. Keep your body warm
Keeping warm when you're sick is important, as a cold can leave you feeling weak and shivering. Wear several layers of clothing throughout the day and wrap yourself in a few blankets when sleeping or resting on the bed or sofa. Keeping warm won't get rid of the flu, but it will make you feel more comfortable.
This is an old way of "cold," but there is little scientific evidence to back it up
Step 8. Take over-the-counter medications
These medications can't cure the common cold, but they can help treat symptoms such as headaches, stuffy nose, fever, and sore throat. Keep in mind that all over-the-counter cold medications have side effects such as nausea, stomach upset, and dizziness. Make sure you understand the risks associated with the medications you are taking and consult your doctor if you are taking prescription medications for other ailments.
- Analgesics (painkillers) such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen, can help if the cold is accompanied by muscle aches, headaches, or fever. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers because it can cause Reye's syndrome (a disease that attacks the liver and brain).
- Antihistamines are a common ingredient in over-the-counter cold and allergy medications and can control runny nose and eyes.
- Cough suppressants, also known as antitussives, can stop the body's reflex to cough. Take this medicine when you have a dry and unproductive cough. A productive cough that helps remove mucus is fine and should not be suppressed. Do not give over-the-counter cough medicine to children under 4 years of age.
- Take over-the-counter medications that can relieve a stuffy nose if the nasal passages are swollen making it difficult to breathe. Medicines that relieve nasal congestion can shrink the blood vessels in the swollen nose to open up the airways.
- Dilute cough mucus with a cough suppressant so that the mucus can be removed if it is too thick or difficult to pass.
Step 9. Avoid smoking
Smoking can temporarily weaken the body's defense system and increase the symptoms of a more severe cold. You should also avoid coffee, caffeinated tea, and soda.
Step 10. Eat chicken soup
There is some scientific evidence to suggest that chicken soup can slow the movement of certain white blood cells that cause cold symptoms. The hot liquid in the soup helps clear the nasal passages and soothes the throat.
You should also add a little red cayenne pepper (a very spicy type of chili) to the soup as the heat of the chili will help lighten the head
Method 3 of 3: Increase Endurance
Step 1. Take vitamin supplements
Taking vitamin supplements and essential nutrients is an easy way to boost the body's defense system. You can take a single supplement such as a vitamin C or zinc tablet or a multivitamin that contains several vitamins. If you are not a fan of fish, you can still get the benefits of all the essential fatty acid content of fish by taking Omega 3 supplements, which are proven to be effective in strengthening the body's defense system.
- Various kinds of supplements can be found in drug stores, supermarkets, and health food stores.
- Taking supplements that can boost your body's defenses may not get rid of a cold quickly, but they will help keep you from getting sick again.
Step 2. Eat garlic
Garlic promotes a healthy heart and immune system with its antioxidant properties and helps maintain healthy blood circulation. One of the most important health benefits of garlic is its ability to increase the activity of the body's defense system cells.
Try chewing fresh garlic with a teaspoon of honey. Chew quickly, then swallow
Step 3. Try to take supplements that contain zinc
Recent research shows that if you start taking zinc supplements within one day of getting cold symptoms, you will recover one day sooner than expected and experience only mild symptoms.
Step 4. Drink pure honey
Honey is a natural defense powerhouse, which also contains antiviral properties. In addition, honey will soothe a sore throat, which is good news for flu sufferers. You can drink a spoonful of pure honey alone or mixed with warm water or tea as a drink.
Step 5. Increase your intake of vitamin C
Take vitamin C supplements, drink orange juice, and eat fruits high in vitamin C such as oranges, kiwis, and strawberries. Although the effectiveness of vitamin C for curing the common cold is debated, many vitamin advocates recommend taking vitamin C daily to reduce the duration of the common cold.
Step 6. Try taking echinacea
Echinacea is an herbal supplement that is widely claimed to be an effective defense and antiviral generator. Although the efficacy of echinacea to get rid of the common cold is debated by many experts, some studies claim that echinacea can reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of colds and reduce the duration of colds. Take two echinacea capsules as soon as you feel the first symptoms of a cold.
Step 7. Drink elderberry syrup
Elderberry is a great natural defense powerhouse, so take a tablespoon of elderberry syrup every morning or add a few drops of elderberry extract as a juice drink in the morning. Elderberry syrup can be found in health food stores.
Step 8. Stop the spread of the source of the disease
. Do not allow other people to eat or drink from utensils that have been in direct contact with you. Change pillowcases every day or every other day when you feel sick. This will limit the spread of infection as well as help remove the source of the disease from your environment.
- Wash your hands after blowing your nose. For a while, this won't help, but it will reduce the chances of the virus passing on to other people.
- Avoid contact with humans as much as possible. During a cold, the common cold virus (usually rhino or corona virus) can be easily transmitted to other people. Resting at home and not going to work or school is a good thing to do. If you have to work, limit physical contact with other people. Try not to touch objects and wash your hands frequently. This will lower your chances of getting sick.
Tips
- Take a warm bath to clear a runny nose.
- Sleep with several pillows to support your chest and head at a 45-degree angle if a stuffy nose or runny nose keeps you awake in the middle of the night.
- Blow your nose regularly. Blowing your nose too often can make the outer nasal passages dry and sore.
- If you have a cold and share your computer with other people, clean the mouse and keyboard when using them.
- Clean various surfaces of the house from germs to avoid contracting the virus.
- There is no solid evidence that echinacea or vitamin C can prevent the common cold. There is also no evidence that colds are caused by cold or too hot temperatures.
Things that must be considered
- If cold symptoms last more than a week, consult a doctor because you may have a more serious condition.
- In the United States, the Food Drug Association (FDA) warns that Zicam's cold-curing gel and nasal gel can cause a loss of smell. These products have been voluntarily withdrawn from the market. However, this warning does not apply to other Zicam products.
- Be sure to consult any natural remedies with your doctor before taking more than the prescribed amount for vitamin C.
- If you have a fever over 38°Celsius, consult your doctor. High fever and chills are indications of influenza (flu), which is a more serious illness.
