The common cold or also known as a cold, is a viral upper respiratory tract infection that primarily affects the nasal, throat, sinuses, and larynx respiratory mucosa. Colds are most usually transmitted by intimate human contact, such as shaking hands, or by inhaling the air of an infected person. Droplets carrying the virus can be coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected individual and inhaled by someone else. A surface, such as a doorknob or a countertop, might also become infected with the virus.
A healthy adult is expected to be affected by two or three colds in a year. Colds may occur more frequently in infants and young children. The recovery period is usually seven to ten days; however, some symptoms might persist up to three weeks. Occasionally, pneumonia can occur in people who have other health issues. With proper natural and home remedies for cold, we can prevent the condition from getting worse.
A Few Lifestyle Changes Can Lower Your Risk Of Getting A Cold
Wash Your Hands Often
Hand washing for at least 20 seconds can keep you from being ill. Washing your hands is an important part of preventing the transmission of infection. Wash your hands with simple soap and water and pay special attention to the crevices between your fingers and under your fingernails. Make sure you wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
Avoid Smoking
Tobacco irritates and damages the throat and lungs, and it can exacerbate cold symptoms such as sore throat and cough. Even secondhand smoke can irritate the skin. According to a recent study, smokers’ antiviral response may be inhibited, leaving them less equipped to fight infection.
Use Disposable Items
If you have a cold, bring your own disposable plates, cups, and utensils and dispose of them after each use. This is especially useful if there are children in the house who might try to eat from other people’s plates or drink from other people’s cups.
Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle
It’s important to maintain good health at all times so that if you do catch a cold, your immune system will be strong enough to combat the infection. Consume a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, exercise on a regular basis and get adequate sleep.
Simple Home Remedies For A Common Cold
A common cold, in most cases, does not necessitate medical attention. Easy home remedies for cold would do it.
Steam And Humidifiers
When it comes to traditional cold remedies, this one’s a winner. Steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil eases congestion and relieves dry, itchy sinuses by working its way into congested nasal passages. Use a humidifier for a whole-room solution. Older humidifiers might produce serious burns if someone gets too close, but newer ones use cool steam for better nasal relief.
Steam is an effective practice to relieve a stuffy nose and alleviate congestion pain. You can inhale steam from a hot shower or a cold mist vaporizer.
Stay Warm And Rested
When you get a cold or flu, being warm and relaxed helps your body focus its energy on fighting the infection. This fight puts a strain on the body and by relaxing, you are helping your body out.
Blowing Nose Is Highly Advisable
If you’re looking for natural remedies for the common cold, then blow your nose more often rather than sniffling mucus back into your brain. However, when you blow too hard, germ-carrying phlegm can be carried back into your ear passages, causing earache. The ideal approach to blow your nose is to place a finger over one nostril and gently blow through the other.
Gargling
A sore throat is one of the most unpleasant cold symptoms. Gargling can temporarily relieve a sore throat by moistening it. Gargling not only helps to relieve the symptoms of a cold or flu, but might also help to prevent these infections in the first place.
To gargle, simply mix 1 cup of warm water with 1 teaspoon of salt. Gargle with the water and spit it out. This combo works swiftly and easily, and is suitable for children over 8 years old.
Saline Drops
You can also use saline drop to relieve potentially uncomfortable sinus congestion. These can be purchased at a drugstore or you can also make it yourself at home. Mix eight ounces of warm water with 14 teaspoons of salt and 14 teaspoons of baking soda to prepare your own saline drops. Use a bulb syringe to shoot the liquid into your nostrils while closing the other nose. Repeat two to three times before moving on to the other nostril to get the most out of this procedure.
Herbal Tea
Hot liquid helps to ease nasal congestion, reduce dehydration, soothe irritated membranes in the nose and throat, and also helps to keep you hydrated. Make a cup of herbal tea and add one teaspoon of honey. In many cultures, honey is used as a cough and cold treatment. Honey is thought to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and may function by coating and calming an inflamed throat. Antioxidants are abundant in dark-colored honey, such as buckwheat honey.
Foods For Cold
When you have a cold or flu, here are some items you can eat:
- Chili peppers can help to break up the mucus in the lungs and open sinuses.
Mucus in the airways can be broken up by mustard or horseradish.
Onions have phytochemicals that can aid in the treatment of bronchitis and other illnesses.
Catechin is a phytochemical found in black and green tea that has natural antibacterial and anti-diarrhea properties.
NOTE: Keep in mind that serious illnesses such as sinus infections, bronchitis, meningitis, strep throat, and asthma can mimic the symptoms of common cold. Consult your doctor if your symptoms are severe or don’t seem to be improving.
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