How To Treat A Cold
Posted: Saturday, August 19, 2006
by Manny
The common cold is a frequent and expensive disease, striking some people as many as 12 times a year, and leading to some 15 million days lost from work annually in the U.S. alone. Children catch a cold the most six or eight episodes a year. In contrast, adults average two to four episodes a year, with a greater frequency found in those with children. What's a cold? A cold is a self-limiting viral infection of the respiratory tract typically marked by a scratchy, sore throat, followed by sneezing and a runny nose.
Conventional treatment amazingly, modern medicine has not yet developed an efficient way to kill- cold viruses once they have invaded the body. Also, we do not acquire useful resistance to these viruses because there are over 200 of them, constantly mutating. The best way to handle a cold is to prevent it. If despite precautions, you do get a cold, doctors advise that you take an over-the-counter medication to relieve symptoms such as a runny nose and cough. Most non- prescription cough-cold remedies contain a combination of ingredients to relieve multiple symptoms.
These combination products often contain anti-pyretics to reduce fever and analgesics to relieve minor aches, pains, and headaches. Many people rare convinced that taking vitamin C can prevent colds or relieve symptoms. There is no conclusive evidence of this, but the vitamin may reduce the severity or duration of symptoms, according to the NIAID. A word of caution: Taking vitamin C in large amounts over long periods can be harmful.
I. What a medical doctor will tell you:
* Take an antipyretic and analgesic if your temperature is over 102 F or if you experience severe muscle pain or weakness. Rest.
*Take lots of fluids. Water and chicken soup relieve symptoms, Avoid sweetened drinks and milk products.
*If you are clogged-up, take a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine or oxymetazolIne.
*If you have profuse nasal discharge, take an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine to dry up secretions.
*Take lozenges to relieve sore throat, zinc lozenges will stimulate immune system and destroy viruses .
*Take extra Vitamin C and A. Try taking garlic, Echinacea, and essential fatty acids to relieve symptoms and shorten course of illness.
*To avoid a cold, wash hands frequently and avoid humid, crowded plates, Do not touch nose, eyes, and mouth. Get into a good nutritional program.
II. What A Naturopathic Doctor Will Tell You
*If you have a fever, get lots of rest and Increase Intake if fluids Take multivitamins avoid cold, damp places Keep away from cold drinks.
*Take lots of fluids such as water and soup Drank juice from fresh pine apple, citrus fruit, or lime avoid sweetened drinks.
*If you are clogged-up Inhale steam from mixture of water and essential oil containing menthol or eucalyptus
*If you have profuse nasal discharge, help It along by Increasing fluid Intake to expel phlegm and nasal discharge
*For sore throat take lozenges with eucalyptus and sip chrysanthemum tea or ginger ale to boost Immune system
*Take buffered vitamin C for better absorption. Take Echinacea.
*Take herbal supplements. Consult an alternative medicine doctor on other methods to maintain well being.
About the author: Manny Montala is a webmaster and one of his interests is collecting local medicinal plants information which can be found in Filipino Herbs Healing Wonders. You can also visit his site in http://www.filipinoherbshealingwonders.filipinovegetarianrecipe.com/
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