How to Deal With the Common Cold

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The common cold is one of the most widespread infections in humans. It’s also one of the most frequent reasons for going home from work or school.

And it’s not just a minor inconvenience; when you have the common cold, your quality of life takes a nosedive. Sneezing, dripping nose, and painful sinuses are enough to drive anyone to despair.

And that’s why we bring you this article on how to deal with the common cold. Nobody likes getting it, but as there’s no avoiding it completely, we advise you to read on and get yourself acquainted with all the tips and tricks on dealing with this unpleasant ailment.

Stay well hydrated
Drinking lots of water is good for you anyway, but when you have a cold it’s absolutely essential. Our immune system is partly located in the sinuses, which are full of mucus membranes.

When the body’s defenses are fighting an infection, these membranes swell up and make the congestion in your nose and sinuses even worse. There are two ways in which drinking plenty of water can help you to cope with the common cold.

First, it will flush out any impurities in your digestive system.

Second, it will keep your mucus membranes as hydrated as possible, which will make your nose less clogged up. In fact, it’s a good idea to drink lots of water even when you’re healthy.

It’s a great way to stay healthy, flush out toxins, and stop yourself from getting dehydrated.

Eat well and don’t forget the vitamin C
You’re probably not going to be able to eat a full meal with the a cold, but there are still lots of good things you can do for your body. We already mentioned the importance of staying hydrated, but another great way to boost your immune system is to eat lots of vitamin C-rich foods.

Citrus fruits, kiwis, strawberries, and peppers are all rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is a natural immune booster. When your body’s defenses are down, it helps them to get back up and running.

Vitamin C is also really helpful in easing a runny nose and a cough. You can drink vitamin C supplements, eat lots of oranges, or even chew on some vitamin C-rich herbs such as rosemary or mint.

Use a humidifier
Humidifiers can be great for easing congestion. The best humidifier for colds is the warm mist humidifier.

Warm mist humidifiers are the best humidifier for colds because they add moisture to the air without adding germs. Also, warm mist humidifiers are quieter than cold mist humidifiers.

All you need to do is fill a warm mist humidifier with clean water and leave it running in your room. It will add moisture to the air, which will make your sinuses less clogged. It’s far from guaranteed, but it may also help you to fall asleep when you have a stuffy nose.

Go for vapor rub or eucalyptus oil
Vapor rub is a traditional cure for the common cold, and it works by helping to open up your sinuses. It’s a mix of menthol, eucalyptus oil, and some other herbal oils that are great for soothing a runny nose.

Eucalyptus oil is great as a rub for your chest. It helps to open up your respiratory system by loosening mucus and opening up the sinuses, so you can breathe easier.

It’s best to use a vapor rub or eucalyptus oil when you’re in bed, as it can be a little strong smelling. You should be careful not to inhale the fumes too closely, and make sure you don’t get any of the oil in your eyes.

Take over-the-counter medicine
When you catch a cold, you’re likely to experience headaches, muscle aches and pains, and fevers. You might think that these symptoms can be ignored, but they’re the result of your immune system attacking bacteria.

There are several over-the-counter drugs that can help alleviate these symptoms. You should always see a doctor if your cold symptoms lead to a fever of over 100 degrees, but these drugs can help you to get through the milder symptoms of the common cold.

Some drugs are better than others, but you should always read the instructions carefully before you take any cold medicine. Not only that, but you should also be careful about when you take it.

Conclusion
The common cold is a nuisance, but there are steps you can take to ease the symptoms and get better as quickly as possible. Stay hydrated, eat well, and keep warm.

Use a humidifier and a vapor rub or eucalyptus oil to unclog your nose, and take over-the-counter medicine to ease headaches, muscle aches and pains, and fevers.

In short, you can manage your common cold better by taking a few simple steps. NEXT, when you get sick, be sure to avoid contact with other people to prevent spreading your illness to others. Stay hydrated, eat well, and avoid self-medicating to the best of your ability.