Although not caused by a very serious virus, colds can still make you miserable. The key to curing colds quickly is early detection. If you think you have caught a cold, you should immediately take precautions. Increase your vitamin intake. Relieve throat disorders. Clean the nasal cavity. These actions will strengthen the body's ability to fight off colds and hopefully reduce its duration. Apart from these actions, you should rest and relax as much as possible. Don't try to take antibiotics, as colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria, so antibiotics won't help.
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Method 1 of 4: Cure Colds Fast
Step 1. Detect colds as soon as possible
Cold symptoms start almost immediately after you catch the virus. Signs of a cold include runny nose, sore throat, cough, congestion or excess mucus, slight body aches, moderate temperature, and mild fatigue. If you want a chance to worship a cold as soon as possible, you have to act fast. After the first 12 hours, the cold will spread to stay in your body for days. You have to strengthen your immune system.
Step 2. Take cough suppressants
Use cough suppressants only if your cough is dry. Cough suppressants include dextromethorphan and codeine. However you may need a prescription for codeine. Side effects include drowsiness and constipation. Dextromethorphan is available in tablet or syrup form and is sometimes combined with an expectorant. If you cough from your chest and produce mucus, do not take cough suppressants, as these drugs can increase the chance of developing a chest infection. It's best to ask your pharmacist for expectorant cough syrup.
Step 3. Take a decongestant
Nasal decongestants-liquid or pill form-help constrict the blood vessels in the nasal membranes and allow the nasal cavity to open. Phenylephrine (such as Sudafed PE) and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) are two over-the-counter decongestants that have been shown to help treat colds.
- You can also get decongestants for nasal sprays without a prescription. It only takes a quick spray or two and you will immediately feel relief. The nasal spray contains oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, xylometazoline, or naphazoline. Use as directed. Using it more than 3-5 times a day can actually increase the feeling of congestion.
- Side effects of decongestants include insomnia (sleeping problems), dizziness, and increased blood pressure. Do not use oral decongestants if you have heart problems or hypertension. Use under a doctor's direction if you have diabetes, thyroid problems, glaucoma, or prostate problems.
Step 4. Drink expectorants
An expectorant is a type of over-the-counter medication that clears the sinuses by loosening mucus and removing phlegm that may be stuck in the lungs. This medicine will make it easier for you to breathe and make you feel more comfortable.
- Expectorants are freely available in pharmacies. This drug is usually sold in liquid form, but can also be in tablet and powder form. In the US, the only expectorant currently available without a prescription is guaifenesin. This active ingredient is the most sought after when choosing cough medicine. The most common brand of expectorant containing guaifenesin in pharmacies is Mucinex.
- Be careful because like other medicines, expectorants have side effects. The most common side effects associated with expectorants include nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. Stop using this medicine if you experience these symptoms.
Step 5. Increase your vitamin C intake
Vitamin C has long been trusted for its cold-preventing properties, but did you know that it also helps shorten the duration of colds?
- Increase your vitamin C intake by drinking orange juice and eating fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, kiwi, and green leafy vegetables that are high in vitamin C.
- You can also take vitamin C supplements, available in tablet form at drug and food stores. According to the American National Institutes of Health, the recommended dose is 90 mg daily for men and 75 mg daily for women.
Step 6. See a doctor
Your body has the ability to fight off a cold, but your doctor can give you additional prescriptions to relieve the symptoms. But do not ask your doctor for antibiotics for colds, antibiotics will not improve the symptoms or duration of your cold.
- Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Ear pain/hearing loss
- Fever above 39ºC
- Fever above 38ºC that lasts for more than 3 days
- Shortness of breath / wheezing
- Bloody mucus
- General symptoms that last for more than 7 to 10 days
- Sore throat with fever, but no cough and no runny nose. This may be an indication of strep throat which should be treated with antibiotics immediately to prevent heart complications.
- Cough with fever, but no runny nose and sore throat. These symptoms may indicate pneumonia and should be treated with antibiotics.
Method 2 of 4: Clear your Sinuses
Step 1. Blow your nose properly
When your nose feels full, you'll naturally want to blow your nose, but be careful not to overdo it. While blowing your nose can help clear your nasal passages of excess mucus, sneezing too hard or too often has the opposite effect.
- In fact, some experts claim that blowing the nose can cause increased pressure due to trapped mucus, leading to further damage to the nasal cavity. You can avoid this problem by only blowing your nose when you need it, and using proper cleaning.
- The correct way to blow your nose is to cover one nostril with your finger, then blow gently to clear the other nostril. The same process is then repeated on the other nostril. Make sure you wash your hands with antibacterial soap afterward to avoid spreading the cold virus.
- Avoid irritation of the nose from overly harsh sneezing by using a soft cotton handkerchief and a small amount of petroleum jelly to moisten and lubricate the nostrils.
Step 2. Try using a saline or sinus irrigation solution to clear the nasal cavity
Any type of bottle or container with a small tip can be used with saline solution to thin and remove mucus from the nasal cavity.
- Try making a saline solution by mixing half a teaspoon of kosher salt in a glass of water.
- Fill the container with the saline solution, tilt your head to one side (over the sink), and insert the end of the container into one of your nostrils and pour. The saline solution will pool in one nostril before exiting the other nostril. When the dripping stops, gently blow your nose, then repeat this process in the other nostril.
Step 3. Use a steam treatment
Steam is very useful for clearing the head. The heat from the steam loosens mucus while the moisture from the water helps soothe dry nasal passages. Use steam in one of the following ways:
Steam your face with a pot of boiling water. Pour hot water into a bowl then place your face on it until it is exposed to the steam. Place a towel over your head to trap the steam. Add two drops of a sinus-clearing essential oil (such as tea tree or peppermint oil) for maximum nasal cleansing
Step 4. Take a hot shower
Yes, even if you're not feeling well, you shouldn't skip bathing every day because it can help heal a cold faster. Heat the water to a high but comfortable setting, and let the shower fill with steam. If the heat makes you feel a little weak or dizzy, you can take a plastic chair or stool into the bathroom.
Hot steam baths are very beneficial when you have a cold, not only for relief, but also for its warm and relaxing effect. Again, try to use the hottest water possible. If you want to wash your hair (in a bath or shower), remember to dry your hair afterward, as damp hair will reduce body heat, which is not good for colds
Step 5. Drink hot liquids
When you have a cold, there's nothing more comforting than a hot drink. But beyond the comfort factor, hot drinks can help clear nasal passages and relieve sore throats, making them perfect for curing colds.
- Good hot drink choices are herbal teas, such as chamomile and peppermint. Regular tea and coffee may make you lightheaded if you feel dizzy, but they are not good for hydration.
- One of the traditional cold remedies that is still effective today is a simple drink made of warm water, lemon, and honey. Hot water clears the blockage. Lemon boosts the immune system and honey relieves sore throats. Just add a slice of fresh lemon to a cup of warm water and add honey to taste.
- Chicken soup has long been chosen as a nutritious food for cold patients and not only because of its easy-to-eat and convenient effects. There is scientific evidence to support the idea that chicken soup limits the production of certain white blood cells that contribute to cold symptoms.
Method 3 of 4: Resting the Body
Step 1. Take time to rest
One surefire way to prolong the duration of a cold-to days or even weeks-is to continue with normal activities and not give the body time to recover. The best way to get rid of a cold as soon as possible is to take a few days off, relax in a warm and comfortable place, and let your body rest.
- Even if you don't want to take sick leave, think about your co-workers – they certainly don't want you to spread germs in the office! By staying at home, you are helping them.
- In addition, colds are viruses that attack and weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to contracting other illnesses or your colds getting worse. Therefore, resting at home is the safest option, at least until you start to feel better.
Step 2. Get enough rest
Try to remember that your body is struggling with the cold virus and needs all the energy it has to win. Tired of yourself by doing other activities at home, such as completing household chores, sports, sightseeing, and other activities will only prolong the cold and make you feel worse. Make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep at night and take frequent naps during the day.
- Even if you can't sleep, try curling up on the couch with a warm blanket and a hot drink. Take advantage of this break to re-watch your favorite series like Friends or finish all of the Harry Potter books.
- When sleeping, try to support your head with an extra pillow. It might feel a little weird if you're not used to it, but a higher angle will help dry the nasal cavity. If it's extremely uncomfortable, try placing an extra pillow under the sheets or under the mattress, so the corners aren't too sharp.
Step 3. Make sure you stay warm
While cold or cold weather doesn't actually cause a cold (it's caused by a cold virus), keeping warm during the recovery process will help. So set the thermostat, turn on the fire and stack the blankets-you'll feel better right away.
- While warm conditions have benefits, dry warmth can actually irritate an inflamed nasal cavity and throat. You can combat this by using a humidifier to restore moisture to the air. This tool can help you to breathe more comfortably.
- But you have to be careful because a humidifier can spread pathogens and mold.
Step 4. Drink plenty of fluids
Blowing your nose and sweating under thick blankets can cause dehydration which will exacerbate cold symptoms, leaving you with a headache and dry throat.
- Try to drink a little more than average when you are sick, this can be in the form of hot tea, soup, fruits and vegetables with a high water content (watermelon, tomato, cucumber, pineapple), or water.
- An easy way to check for dehydration is to check your urine. If it's pale yellow or almost clear, you're fine. But if it is dark yellow in color, it means that there is a high concentration of undiluted feces in your body, and this is a sign to drink more.
Method 4 of 4: Coping With Other Symptoms
Step 1. Take painkillers/fever reducers
If you have pain and a high temperature, the two main options for you are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen). Avoid NSAIDs if you have acid reflux or heartburn. If you are already taking NSAIDs to treat other problems, talk to your doctor if you want to increase their use. Do not take more than the prescribed amount, as directed on the package. Excessive use can cause liver poisoning. You don't want to have another, more serious condition while you're trying to fight a cold.
Step 2. Gargle with salt water to relieve sore throat
Congestion isn't the only unpleasant symptom you'll have to contend with as long as a runny, dry, itchy, or sore throat is just as annoying. An easy and natural way to deal with this is to gargle with a saline solution. The water will hydrate the throat, while the antiseptic properties of the salt help fight infection. Make your own solution by mixing a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. If the taste is really bad, add a little baking soda to disguise a little saltiness. Gargle with this solution up to four times a day. Do not swallow.
Step 3. Drink elderberry syrup
Elderberry is said to be great for natural immune boosting, and is therefore very popular as a natural remedy for colds. Elderberries contain flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties and can help prevent damage to body cells. However, very few studies have been conducted on humans, so researchers don't know how effective it is. You can use elderberry in several ways, such as the following:
- Take a spoonful of elderberry syrup every morning. This syrup can be purchased at pharmacies.
- Add a few drops of elderberry extract (also available at pharmacies) to a glass of water or juice.
- Or drink elderberry tea - a hot drink with elderflower and peppermint leaves.
Step 4. Drink a spoonful of pure honey
Pure honey is effective and natural for boosting immunity, and because it is antiviral and relieves sore throats, honey is the main ingredient in many natural cold remedies.
You can drink a spoonful of pure honey alone or mixed in water or warm tea. Another great natural remedy for curing colds is a glass of milk mixed with a spoonful of turmeric powder, then stirred quickly with a spoonful of honey. Try using pure, locally sourced honey, as your body develops a tolerance for allergens that come from your own area
Step 5. Eat garlic
Garlic has impressive health benefits thanks to its antimicrobial, antiviral and antibiotic properties. There is some evidence to suggest that raw garlic can help relieve cold symptoms, shorten the duration of colds and boost the immune system, and prevent colds from coming back.
- Garlic can be taken as a supplement, but the best results are obtained when eaten raw. Crush a clove of garlic and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. This process allowed the development of a compound called allicin – the potent antibacterial source that makes garlic so beneficial for health.
- Garlic can be eaten raw (if you have a strong stomach) or mixed with a little honey or olive oil and spread on crackers.
Step 6. Take natural supplements
There are certain natural supplements that are believed to help relieve cold symptoms. While it may not necessarily cure or stop a cold, it can help get rid of it faster. Example:
- Echinacea is an herbal supplement that is believed to contain antiviral properties that aid in the treatment of respiratory infections. When taken in tablet form as soon as the first symptoms appear, echinacea is believed to reduce the duration of a cold.
- Zinc is another natural substance that has been proven by scientific research to shorten the duration of colds by preventing the reproduction of viruses. Zinc can be taken in the form of tablets, lozenges or syrup.
- Ginseng is an ancient remedy for colds that has been scientifically proven to help shorten the duration of colds, as well as strengthen the immune system. Ginseng can be taken as a supplement, or boiled in water to make a tea.
