Table of Content
When it comes to avoiding and fighting colds, it turns out that germs are a good thing. The beneficial flora living within you support your immunity, and their abundance means your good health. The herb and root of this plant is often used to make tea that serves to treat infections. Used for centuries by Native Americans, Echinacea contains flavonoids that actively suppress inflammation and boost your immune system. We all remember mom making chicken soup when we had a cold as a child, and there was a good reason.
In other words, antibiotics are not designed for colds and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, won’t make you feel healthier. A cool-mist humidifier is one way to help relieve the congestion that comes with colds. You should not overdo it when it comes to over-the-counter medicine. Instead, focus on one symptom to treat with one medication. Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic pill that will just make your cold go away. But experts also say there are things you can do at home to help yourself feel a little better throughout your sickness — and many of these things don’t cost any money at all.
Treatment
She noted that the primary reason for opting for gentler treatment is the fear of side-effects from pharmacological interventions. Ginger tea has been used for centuries, and for good reason — it's a tasty, multifaceted, multi-symptom reliever that typically has few side effects. Using saltwater to treating allergies and sinus issues has long been used in ancient India to help remove mucus and reduce chronic inflammation, explained Dr. Sadeghi.
A balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and plenty of restful sleep will ensure you beat any cold and promote optimal health through every season. You can take a spoonful of honey as needed or add to hot tea during the day. Either way, you will get relief from many cold and flu symptoms. While the common cold and flu are both viruses that must run their course, there are several home remedies for cold and flu that you can utilize to cut down on the duration and severity of your symptoms. Remember, serious conditions can masquerade as the common cold and a mild infection can evolve into something more serious.
Fevers in Babies and Children Home
"Coughing, sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, all those symptoms may not be from the same cause as somebody else's child," said Patel. "What might be RSV in one kid, could be influenza in another or COVID-19 in another or a sinus infection in another child, and treatment may differ." "For example, every cold symptom is not necessarily because of a virus that's going to treat itself on its own." The flu is a contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. In the U.S., these viruses are more active during fall and winter months, with influenza activity picking up around October and peaking between December and February. Our grandparents have always been active in providing instant home-based, all-natural remedies for all sorts of ailments.
Many people are indeed deficient in the vitamin such as those who live far from the equator, anyone who gets less sun exposure, those with a darker skin tone with more melanin, or anyone who follows a vegan diet. Peel and slice half an inch to an inch of fresh ginger and add it to soft boiling water for 10 minutes. Quercetin has the potential to modulate cytokines , so it's become a hot topic in COVID conversations (you may have heard the term "cytokine storm" in articles about COVID-19, and how it contributes to mortality). There is still a need for clinical trials on quercetin to test the bonafide efficacy within a medical context, and some are already in progress thanks to its promising anti-inflammatory, immunity-strengthening properties. The other ingredients in Life Extension's lozenges include peppermint flavor and dextrose. Some consumers might not like the idea of corn-derived sugar and added flavor, but compared to other options on the market, we considered it a fair trade for a stronger dose of zinc.
More in Health
Sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, headaches, and/or body pains are all symptoms of a cold. "Not only can sucking on ice cubes help with hydration, but cold sweets or lozenges can also help to soothe sore throats and relieve painful symptoms that often come with the flu or a cold," Mohammed explains. "However, supporting one's immune system may be one of the most beneficial ways to protect oneself if exposed."
In Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, ginger is also used for coughing and colds. A review by the Cochrane Collaboration examined whether vitamin C supplements in doses of 200 mg or more a day could reduce the incidence, duration, or severity of the common cold. The researchers analyzed 30 previously published studies that met their quality criteria. They found that vitamin C didn’t appear to prevent the common cold. There was a slight reduction in the length and severity of cold symptoms. Zinc also reduced the severity of symptoms and decreased the duration of symptoms by three to four days.
Studies suggest that zinc supplementation may help shorten the length of a cold and lessen symptoms. 15 Immune-Boosting Foods Eat these to fight colds, flu, and more. The effectiveness of ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and chemotherapy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Overall, inflation and related price increases have had little impact on virus product categories.
The zinc lozenges used in the studies contained a minimum of 13.3 mg of elemental zinc. The lozenges were taken every two hours during the day, starting immediately after the onset of cold symptoms. People with the virus are likely contagious from the day or so before symptoms first appear until about five days after symptoms begin, though sometimes people are contagious for as long as 10 days after symptoms appear.
There are two main types of flu virus, types A and B, that are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year. Our experience has been that it is helpful in preventing colds and flu from setting in, as it contains all of the illness-fighting vitamins and minerals, as well as echinacea and elderberry herbs. Several studies have shown that elderberry’s antiviral capabilities are effective against 10 different flu strains. It also reduces symptoms of fever, pains, and congestion 3 to 4 days sooner in individuals who use it than in those who do not. In addition to personally testing dozens of natural cold and flu remedies in my five-plus years as a health and wellness reporter, I called on doctors and pharmacists from different backgrounds to give their expert take. I got suggestions from a board-certified MD who has a background in Ayurveda and TCM, a pharmacist, a naturopathic doctor, and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
If you've had influenza in the past, your body has already made antibodies to fight that particular strain of the virus. If future influenza viruses are similar to those you've encountered before, either by having the disease or by vaccination, those antibodies may prevent infection or lessen its severity. Echinacea seems to be most effective if you take it when you notice cold symptoms and continue it for seven to 10 days. It appears to be safe for healthy adults, but it can interact with many drugs. Check with your doctor before taking echinacea or any other supplement. A saltwater gargle — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat.
Treating a cold is “all about symptomatic care,” meaning you should address the symptoms that are bothering you most, Desai said. He noted that good calories include high-protein foods and some carbs for energy. He also recommended that you avoid processed foods that don’t have much nutritional value, as well as caffeinated drinks.
No comments:
Post a Comment