You have a cold. A bad cold. Consider trying these common cold remedies to make the cold easier to bear. You have a virus, and the only cure for a cold virus is time. If you go to the doctor your cold will probably last a week. If you don't go to the doctor your cold will probably last a week.
The doctor may be able to tell you what will help your symptoms or even give you a prescription for something that will make you feel better. But it won't cure your cold and you can get similar products from the drug store. Don't ask for antibiotics. They don't cure viruses, and every time you take antibiotics needlessly you help the things antibiotics do kill, bacteria and other little killers, become more resistant to antibiotics.
There are two exceptions to the no-doctor-for-a-cold rule. One is if you are immune-compromised from a disease or treatment for a disease, such as radiation therapy. Tell your doctor if you get a cold and follow the instructions. The other exception is if you think you are developing a rare complication. A high fever, sinus pain and a greenish, foul-smelling discharge from the nose, facial swelling, ear ache a severe cough and difficulty breathing are cold complications that need a doctor's care.
What will make me feel better?
Staying at home and getting some rest may help and it will make your friends feel better too. You are very contagious when you have a cold. Here are some other things to treat cold symptoms and make you feel better.
Drink plenty of fluids. Hot, steamy drinks may help ease congestion but any fluid is good. That runny nose is draining a lot of fluid and the body is better able to fight off the virus when it is well-hydrated. A little alcohol, such as a touch of whiskey in a hot toddy, is oka but alcohol actually dehydrates the body and it gives you other nasty symptoms to deal with too.
Take aspirin or other pain relievers if you have a headache, mild fever, or body aches. Children under age 18 should never take aspirin when they have a virus. It can lead to Reyes Syndrome, a dangerous and life threatening problem.
Take other non-prescription symptom-relief products. Antihistamines do not help with cold symptoms, but decongestants do if your nose or chest feels congested. Avoid products that also contain antihistamines, and that dopey feeling that cold products can leave you with will not be a problem. Cough syrup and cough drops can ease a troublesome cough and scratchy throat. Gargling with salt water can also help a sore throat. Even sucking on hard candy, such as a peppermint, will help a scratchy throat. Believe it or not, old-fashioned eucalyptus and menthol creams that you rub on your chest actually do help with nasal and chest congestion.
Take a hot steamy bath or shower. There's no evidence that steam cures a cold, but it will help you feel better by relieving congestion and soothing body aches.
What about echinacea, Vitamin C and zinc?
Numerous studies have been done on zinc, Vitamin C and echinacea as treatments to shorten cold duration or prevent colds. About as many studies proved some effectiveness as proved that the products had no effect on colds.
It's still a toss up.
A fairly recent study on the effect of zinc on colds was done at Wayne State University Medical School in Detroit, Michigan. That study suggested that zinc might help shorten the duration of a cold if given as soon as cold symptoms began. Dr. Ananda Prasad, who worked on the study, warns that for zinc to be effective it must be given within 24 hours of contracting the virus, and the zinc should be without flavorings and other ingredients. The dosage is 12 milligrams to 13 milligrams taken every two or three hours, usually given as a lozenge.
Zinc has several unpleasant side effects. It can cause nausea and an unpleasant, metallic taste in the mouth, abdominal pain and constipation. It cannot be taken for a long period of time as it affects iron absorption and other processes of the body. Pregnant women, children and people with kidney or liver problems should not use zinc supplements. Zinc has never been shown to prevent colds.
There have been no scientific studies to date that prove Vitamin C will prevent or shorten colds. There are many people, however, that swear Vitamin C helps prevent and cure colds. As long as you don't overdose, taking Vitamin C probably won't hurt. Too much Vitamin C will cause diarrhea.
Echinacea is another product that has studies that swing either way. The effectiveness seems to be more of a boost to the immune system of people who are susceptible to viruses because their immune system doesn't work well. Taking echinacea may help them fight off the virus before symptoms begin, rather than curing or shortening a cold. Taking it to help with cold symptoms will do little good.
A couch with a comfy blanket, some chicken soup and a box of tissue: That-s how to cure a cold. Mom did know best.
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