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HERE IS AN EXAMPLE FOR COMMON COLDS
29 REMEDIES TO WIN THE BATTLE
At one time or another, every one of us succumbs to the common
cold. The bravest, the strongest, the sweetest, the most intelligent – our
virtues matter not to these viruses as they set about reducing us to
coughing, sneezing shadows of our former selves
Worse yet, there’s no cure. Antibiotics, champs at knocking out
bacterial infections, are down for the count against cold viruses. So we
sniffle on bravely, maybe take a cold pill or two, and hope the symptoms
will disappear in the customary week or so.
But there’s actually a lot more we can do to get through a cold
more comfortably, say doctors who specialise in self-care medicine. Some
remedies, they say, may even help us overcome a cold more quickly. Here
are the best remedies the experts have to offer.
Take C and see Vitamin C works in the body as a scavenger.
picking up all sorts of trash – including virus trash,” says Keith W
Sehnert, MD, a physician with Trinity Health Care in Minneapolis
Minnesota. “It can shorten the length of a cold from seven days to maybe
two or three days.”
Vitamin C may also cut back On coughing sneezing and other symptoms.
In a study conducted at the University of Wisconsin, cold
sufferers taking 500 milligrams of vitamin C four times per day suffered
about half as many symptoms as those not taking the vitamin
Short-term use of such high doses shouldn’t cause any side effects.
says Dr Sehnert. But you should get your doctor’s okay before starting
any supplement programme. Better yet, simply get your additional vitamin
C by drinking it. Orange, grapefruit, and cranberry juices are rich sources
of vitamin C.
Zap it with zinc Sucking on zine lozenges can cut colds short
to an average of four days, researchers in Britain and the United States
have discovered. Zinc can also dramatically reduce symptoms such as
a dry irritated throat, says Dr Elson Haas, director of the Marin Clinic
of Preventive Medicine and Health Education in San Rafael, California
“It doesn’t work for everyone, but when it works, it works,” he says.
The down side is that zinc has an unpleasant taste. There are, however, lozenges on the market
that contain honey and/or citrus that are a lot easier to swallow. But do not take more than the amount
recommended by your doctor. Zinc can be toxic in large doses.
Be positive A positive attitude about your body’s ability to heal
itself can actually mobilise immune system forces, says Dr Martin
Rossman, a general practitioner in Mill Valley, California. He teaches this
theory by getting his patients to practise imagery techniques to combat
colds. After bringing yourself into a deeply relaxed state, “imagine a
white tornado decongesting your stuffed-up sinuses,” he suggests, “or
an army of microscopic cleaners scouring germs with buckets of
disinfectant.
Rest and relax Extra rest enables you to put all your energy into
getting well. It can also help you avoid complications like bronchitis and
pneumonia, says Dr Samuel Caughron, a family practitioner special-
ising in preventive medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia
Take a day or two off from work if you’re feeling really bad, he
advises. At the very least, slow down in your everyday activities and re-
schedule your time. “Trying to keep up with your regular routine can be
draining because when you’re not feeling well, your concentration is
down and you’ll probably need to double the amount of time it’s going
to take you to do things,” he says.
Turn out the party lights when you’re sick, parties, and other
good times can wear you out physically, compromising your immune
system and causing your cold to linger, says Dr Timothy Van Ert, a
physician in San Francisco and Saratoga, California, specialising inself-care anu P
until you feel better.
Warm Keep bundled up against the cold, advises Dr Sehnert
This keeps your immune system cosily focused on fighting your cold
infection instead of displacing energy to protect you from the cold.
Take a walk Mild exercise improves your circulation, helping
your immune system circulate infection-fighting antibodies, says Dr
Sehnert. “Jump gently on a mini-trampoline indoors for 15 minutes or
take a brisk half-hour walk,” he suggests. But refrain from strenuous
exercise, he warns, which could wear you out.
Feed a cold lightly The very fact that you have a cold in the
first place may point to your eating “too congesting a diet” that puts a
strain on your body’s metabolism, says Dr Haas. Counteract it, he advises,
eating fewer fatty foods, meat and milk products, and more fresh fruit and vegetables.
Sip chicken soup A long-time folk remedy is now a proven fact
A cup of hot chicken soup can help unclog your nasal passages. Research-
ers at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach found that hot
chicken soup, either because of its aroma or its taste, “appears to possess
an additional substance for increasing the flow of nasal mucus”. These
secretions – what comes out when you blow your nose or sneeze serve
a first line of defence in removing germs from your system, the
researchers say.
Load up on liquids Drink six to eight glasses of water, juice.
tea and other mostly clear liquids daily, advises Dr Sehnert. This will
replace important fluids lost during a cold and help flush out impurities
that may be preying on your system
Butt out Smoking aggravates a throat that may already feel
irritated from a cold, says Dr Caughron. It also interferes with the
infection-fighting activity of cilia, the microscopic “fingers” that sweep
bacteria out of your lungs and throat. So if you can’t kick the habit for
good, at least do it while you’ve got a cold.
Soothe with saltwater Relieve an irritated throat by gargling
morning noon and night – or whenever it hurts most, Dr Van Ert
advises, Fill a glass with warm water and mix in 1 teaspoon of salt.
Sip a hot toddy Clear your blocked nose and help yourself
good night’s sleep by drinking a “hot toddy” or half glass of
wine before bedtime, suggests Dr Caughron. But more alcohol than that can
your system, he says, making recovery from illness more difficult.
Get yourself in hot water Taking a steamy shower can help
clear congestion, says Dr Kenneth Peters, an internist
specialising self-care and chronic pain in Mountain View, California
Or boil a pan of water, turn off the heat, drape a towel in a tent over your head, and the pan,
inhale the steam until it subsides.
This also relieves your head and cough by moistening your dry throat, he says.
Go for the grease Relieve a nose raw from blowing by applying
a lubricating layer of petroleum jelly around and slightly inside your
nostrils with a cotton bud, suggests Dr Peters.
Medicate at night Numerous medications for colds are
available without a prescription. Some treat specific symptoms. Others
like Lemsip Night Time, contain a combination of drugs – plus alcohol,
in some cases – aimed at treating a wide range of symptoms. These
combination drugs, however, can have many uncomfortable side effects
like nausea and drowsiness, says Dr Van Ert. “I recommend that these
be taken only at night since you won’t feel the side effects while you’re
sleeping.
He says that if you need to take medications during the day. take
only those that treat the symptoms you’re suffering from. Be sure to
follow the instructions carefully, he advises, and give children only a
child-size dose.
