What do you do to fight a cold?
@sarahbeth1977 (384)
United States
January 12, 2007 11:32pm CST
Hey there - I'm sick *blech*. I thought it was a sinus infection, but the health clinic nurse here at the school insists that it's just a cold. What are the steps you take when you come down with a NASTY cold - the kind that leaves you feeling like you've got the flu, but your temperature is not quite high enough to call it that?
Forgive me, as I'm sure this has been posted before, but any help would be appreciated! Thanks! :D
4 responses
@GardenGerty (157562)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I like to make my diet mostly liquids and fruits at that time. It seems like when we have holidays and travel we bring back new viruses to share and enjoy. When I first start coming down, I try to buy a fresh pineapple--it really sooithes a scratchy sore throat. I have also learned that if you eat horseradish, it helps clear your head, but if you do not like to eat it, you can just get a jar and sniff it. Both of those ideas are taken from Prevention magazine. Increasing vitamin C, in continuous doses through out the day, like in your food really helps. For me a good source of C is salsa, both tomatoes and peppers have vitamin C and the spice thins the mucous, and helps with the aches and pains as well. The traditional advice of 'rest in bed, drink plenty of liquids and take a fever and pain reducer' seems to be something we do not have time for. I take over the counter remedies for the symptoms, as well. I use guifensen (mucinex, robitussin) Good generics are available that save you money. I take a decongestant, and sometimes, if I feel it is allergy related, or if I cannot sleep, an antihistamine, usually diphenhydramine (benadryl) as it just knocks me out. I avoid dextromethorphan in products as a doctor said that was what caused my daughter to get pneumonia, because it suppressed her cough and the bacteria grew in her lungs. Honestly and truly, just give up, be sick, go to bed, and sleep deeply, it will get you better that much faster. Chicken soup is really a remedy as well. Put garlic in it. Hope you get to feeling better soon, I noticed that you were not around.
2 people like this
@sarahbeth1977 (384)
• United States
13 Jan 07
Hey, thanks! I had been eating raw garlic before and I noticed that it helped control the colds a bit, but I haven't done that in a long time. I had no clue about the pineapple - I'm going to be heading to the store today. I've been trying to sleep for the most part, but I notice I sleep better during the day and at night I can't seem to relax...plus my fever comes back with a vengence *ugh*.
I'm in grad school for my master of music: music ed. degree, and I just moved back down to Tennessee after the holidays for school. I couldn't log on for two days because the school was having internet problems *argh*. But I'm back and hopefully will have time to hang out :D. I'm glad somebody noticed I wasn't around! *grin*
But what really sucks about this cold is that I'm starting voice lessons for the first time in about 8 years (I usually give them) and all of the sudden, I get sick :( ... that always seemed to happen. Anytime I had to sing for a big event, I came down with a nasty cold of some kind. Oh it was agravating!!
@debdoot (242)
• India
13 Jan 07
I prefer taking steam... wrap up in thick sweaters and jackets and get warm by sitting beside a fire place... here in my place we have few medicinal plants, I take ayurvedic medicines at times... if u want to try u can do so by taking a spoon of honey along with 4 fresh Tulsi leaves... i think it'll work
@sarahbeth1977 (384)
• United States
13 Jan 07
Hey there! Tylenol cold and sinus is my favorite, too...sudafed tends to completely leave me with medicine head and I don't feel like it helps me at all. The health clinic on campus has me taking something that's a bit stronger than over the counter, but MAN it's drying me out - regardless of how much liquids I take!
I don't believe I've ever heard of Tulsi leaves. Where are you from and where can I find them? :D
@arlerambabu (1079)
• India
14 Jan 07
The best remedy for worst colds is Ginger tea.
Ginger contains nearly a dozen anti viral compounds that can cure common colds effectively.
Garlic and onions available in every house hold are capable of curing colds
@sarahbeth1977 (384)
• United States
15 Jan 07
I've been scarfing garlic like crazy...and fried onions, but I'm sure that doesn't have the same effect. What do you do when you your chest, throat and ears all start itching...even my nose!! It's driving me nuts!!
@TonyMontana714 (64)
• United States
17 Jan 07
well in order to kill a cold it is eat hot chicken soup with some medcine and have plently of rest you know. After that go check up on the doctor. and some medicine,and drink the medicine as told by the doctor. well that pretty much it thank you very body and have a wonderful day
