At the first sign of a cold, many people immediately run to the pharmacy to stock up on all kinds of medicine. But which ones actually work? Although there is no cure for the common cold, there are several proven ways to relieve symptoms, writes hopkinsmedicine.
Drink more water. Tea, warm lemon water, or broth—drinking warm liquids can soothe, prevent dehydration, and relieve congestion. Avoid salty foods, alcohol, coffee and sugary drinks, which can lead to dehydration. Crushed ice is another easy way to retain fluids and soothe a scratchy throat.
Gargling Salt water (about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water) can help reduce sore and swollen throat.
Decongestants, antihistamines and painkillersover-the-counter medications may reduce some cold symptoms.
Humidify the air. Cold air contains less moisture than warm air. Dry nostrils are more vulnerable to viruses, and if you’re already sick, dry air can make your sore throat worse. Try using a humidifier. If you don’t have one, place a shallow bowl of water in the room, especially near a heat source. As the water evaporates, it will slowly humidify the air in the room.
Rest and sleep. A cold is a time to recharge your body’s immune system. Rest is the best way to do this. Make sure you get eight to ten hours of sleep at night. This is also a great time to take a break from training for two to three days.
What not to do. You should be aware that there is little evidence that zinc is effective in fighting colds. Antibiotics are intended to treat bacterial infections, not viruses. At the first sign of a cold, many people turn to vitamin C. However, there is little evidence that it affects the cold virus. Although some studies suggest that regularly taking vitamin C may help shorten the duration of cold symptoms, it has no effect if taken after cold symptoms appear.
Previously, FACTS told how to prepare a decoction of black cumin, with which you can cure a sore throat in a few hours.
Also read about effective cold and flu remedies for good sleep.
Source: Fakty
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