Autumn is approaching, and as temperatures drop, it's good to know how to get rid of a cold quickly. Dealing with a runny nose and cough can often be a challenge, but luckily there are some natural products that can help. At the first sign of cold symptoms, you can try stocking up on a number of remedies. But what actually works? While there are no cures for the common cold, some tried-and-tested home remedies have proven effective in treating it. Here are some tips that can help you feel fit again the next day.
How to get rid of cold quickly without medication?
Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to get rid of a cold overnight. However, if you are wondering how you can counteract the symptoms immediately and effectively, there are numerous options available to you. First and foremost, you should know that unfortunately there is no miracle cure that will cause the virus to cause symptoms such as a runny orstuffy noseand fatigue, disappears from your system. So what can you do to get rid of a cold quickly? How you can do this is to alleviate the symptoms mentioned as much as possible while you wait for things to run their course. First of all, it is important to recognize what you have become infected with. Both colds and flu are classified as respiratory illnesses and often have very similar signs.
Cold symptoms most often include a runny or stuffy nose, frequent sneezing, sore throat and/or cough, headache, and fatigue. In contrast, common flu symptoms include fever or a temperature above 100 degrees, chills, muscle aches, joint pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Actually, these are more acute versions of the cold symptoms mentioned above. Additionally, there is some overlap, but the main differences between the two states are intensity. Flu symptoms tend to come on very quickly and usually include fever and muscle soreness. The signs of a cold are gradual and mainly affect your nose and throat.
Do's and Don'ts for Relieving Cold Symptoms
To recover faster, the body must stimulate an immune system response, kill the virus and repair itself. This takes time and there is no point in rushing the process. But what about cold medicines that claim to make you feel better faster? Luckily, some of these could help relieve symptoms and stop you from feeling so miserable. From a medical perspective, antibiotics will never work on a cold because it is caused by a virus, not bacteria. However, some dietary supplements or treatments using natural products may help shorten the length of a cold.
However, the list of ineffective cold remedies is also very long. For example, some of the most common ones that don't work include over-the-counter cold and cough medications in addition to antibiotics. For example, if you want to quickly get rid of a cold in children, such medicines should be used carefully. They could cause serious and even life-threatening side effects. It's best to talk to your child's doctor before giving your little one any over-the-counter medications. Despite ongoing studies, the scientific jury is still out on some popular cold remedies like vitamin C and echinacea extract. Here's an update on some of these common alternative remedies.
Cold medicine with questionable effects
It seems that takingVitamin Cusually doesn't help the average person prevent colds. However, some studies have found that taking the vitamin found in many citrus fruits before cold symptoms begin can shorten their duration. Additionally, vitamin C could benefit people who are at high risk of colds due to frequent exposure. These are, for example, children who attend group childcare in winter. Furthermore, study results show whetherEchinaceaColds prevented or shortened, mixed. Some studies show no benefit. Others suggest some reduction in the severity and duration of cold symptoms when echinacea is taken in the early stages of a cold. Different types of echinacea used in different research may have contributed to the mixed results.
Echinacea seems to be most effective if you take it while you notice cold symptoms and continue taking it for seven to 10 days. It appears to be safe for healthy adults but can interact with many medications. Consult your doctor before taking this or any other dietary supplement. What thatZinkWhen it comes to this, several studies have shown that zinc supplements can shorten the duration of a cold. However, most research has produced mixed results about zinc and colds. Some research shows that zinc lozenges or syrup shorten the duration of a cold by about a day, especially if taken within 24 to 48 hours of the firstSigns and symptomsto be taken with a cold. However, zinc also has potentially harmful side effects. In addition, it is advisable to speak to your doctor before using zinc.
How to get rid of cold symptoms quickly
Although there is no cure for a cold, sufferers can do things to ease their symptoms while they recover. The following tips apply to adults:
- Rest and enoughSleepreceive. Make sure you get between eight and ten hours of sleep at night. This is also a good opportunity to take a break from strenuous activity and excessive exercise for two to three days.
- Stay hydrated and lotsliquidsdrink. Whether tea, warm water with lemon, or broth, drinking warm liquids can be soothing, prevent dehydration, and relieve constipation. Avoid salty foods, alcohol, coffee and sugary drinks, which can be dehydrating. Ice chips are another easy way to stay hydrated and soothe a scratchy throat.
- WarmThe soupessen.This is especially true forChicken soups, as these have been proven to contain substances with anti-inflammatory properties. These help the body and immune system relieve some of the cold symptoms.
- One yourselfhumidifierget it and turn it on. Cold air contains less moisture than warm air. Dry nostrils are more susceptible to viruses, and if you're already sick, dry air can make your sore throat worse. So try a humidifier. If you don't have one, you can place a shallow bowl of water, especially near a heat source. As the water evaporates, it slowly humidifies the room.
- Withsaline nasal sprayor drops to treat the cold
- TheGargle with salt waterand about 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of warm water can help reduce the pain and swellingto relieve a sore throat.
- Inhalation of steamfrom a bowl of hot water or in the shower
- CandySuck with eucalyptus to relieve a sore throat
- With the coughHonigand warm tea drinks.
- Children aged 1 year and over can also benefit from honey if they have a cough. According to researchers, the natural product improves cough symptoms and sleep quality in small children.
Try foods that might help combat cold symptoms
- Black elderberry:The fermented syrup from this plant is a traditional cold remedy in many parts of the world. Although research is limited, some sources showed that elderberry syrup shortened the duration of colds by an average of four days in people with flu-like symptoms.
- Beet juice:One study showed that those who drank a small amount of beetroot juice seven times a day had fewer cold symptoms than the control group. In the study, the drug was particularly helpful for students with asthma. Because beetroot is rich in dietary nitrate, it increases the body's production of nitric oxide, which can protect you from respiratory infections.
- Probiotic drinks:Although studies on probiotics and colds are limited, some research suggests that daily consumption of a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus, L. casei 431 may shorten the duration of a cold, particularly with regard to respiratory symptoms. However, probiotic bacteria vary from product to product, so check the label to know which one you are purchasing.
