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The first and best treatment: rest and fluids
The most important thing to do when you have a cold is to get plenty of rest . You may need to sleep for up to 12 hours a day. So, without thinking too much, give your body the rest it needs. It is best to stay in a warm, humid environment. The next most important thing is to drink plenty of water and fluids . This is because fluids thin the mucus in the body, reducing nasal congestion and chest tightness. So drink plenty of water throughout the day. However, avoid drinking caffeinated beverages (tea, coffee) and alcohol during these days . They can dehydrate the body even more.What do you do about the symptoms?
Because cold symptoms vary, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. It's important to choose the treatment that best suits your symptoms.Think twice before you go to the pharmacy and take any of the "cold pills" or "cold medicine" you see. Many of these medications are mixed with medications for symptoms you don't have. This can lead to unnecessary medication entering your body.Let's see what can be done for each symptom in the table below.
| Symptom | What can be done? | Things to pay special attention to |
|---|---|---|
| Fever and body aches | Take a Paracetamol tablet, which contains acetaminophen. | Do not give aspirin to children and young children. Also, ask your doctor before giving other painkillers, such as ibuprofen. |
| Sore throat | Gargle with half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water several times a day. | This is a very safe and effective method. |
| Nasal congestion | Nasal sprays such as pseudoephedrine or oxymetazoline can be used temporarily. | Nasal sprays can cause more nasal congestion if used for more than 3-5 days. Pseudoephedrine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, so people with heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes should not take them without medical advice. |
| Cough | Coughing is a natural way to clear mucus and germs from the lungs, so cough suppressants are not always necessary. | Only if the cough is so severe that it interferes with sleep can you see a doctor and take a medicine like Dextromethorphan. Don't forget to keep your mouth shut when you cough, okay? |
What do you do with children under 4 years old?
Medical experts and drug manufacturers now recommend that children under the age of 4 should not be given over-the-counter cough and cold syrups . If a child has a cold, it is best to consult a pediatrician for advice.
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In addition to medication, diet and home remedies can provide great relief.Nutrition and vitamins
Good nutrition is the best way to recover from any illness.- Vitamin C : Many people think that taking vitamin C will cure a cold . In fact, while there is a small preventive benefit to taking vitamin C before a cold develops, research has found that vitamin C does not have a significant therapeutic benefit once a cold has developed .
- Zinc : Some research suggests that taking zinc tablets at the first signs of a cold can shorten the duration of the illness. However, avoid using nasal sprays that contain zinc. You may lose your sense of smell permanently.
- Best: Eat a balanced diet. That means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and greens.
Chicken soup and hot, spicy dishes.
Drinking a hot chicken soup made by our mothers feels amazingly comforting, doesn't it? It's not just a story. It has been scientifically proven that chicken soup reduces the symptoms of colds, especially nasal congestion. Also, when you eat something like a spicy rasam, a ginger-cilantro soup, or a hot chili soup, your eyes will water and your nose will start to run. This will greatly reduce nasal congestion.Aromatherapy
Rubbed on the chest or inhaling the steam with eucalyptus oil (like our sycamore oil) or peppermint oil can greatly reduce nasal congestion and chest congestion. However , if you have asthma, you should be careful as inhaling this kind of steam can worsen your asthma .When should you see a doctor?
A cold usually clears up in 7-10 days. However, if you have any of the following symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor.- If the fever is high (over 101°F)
- If symptoms persist for more than 10 days
- If you have difficulty breathing or chest pain
- If you cough up colored mucus (yellow, green, or blood-tinged)
- If you have severe ear pain
💡 Take-Home Message
- There is no specific treatment for the virus that causes the common cold. All we can do is manage the symptoms. Rest and fluids are the best treatment.
- Use simple medicine like paracetamol for fever and pain. Be careful when taking over-the-counter medicines for various symptoms.
- Do not give any cough or cold medicine to children under 4 years of age without medical advice.
- If symptoms are severe, last a long time, or if you have difficulty breathing, contact your doctor immediately .
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