Expectorants are available over-the-counter at your local pharmacy. They are usually taken in liquid form, but they can also be found as tablets and powders. Currently, the only over-the-counter expectorant available is guaifenesin. Look for this active ingredient when searching for medications. Mucinex is the most common brand name guaifenesin-containing medicine sold in pharmacies. [7] X Research source Be aware that expectorants, like all medications, may have side-effects. Those most commonly associated with this form of medication include nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop taking the expectorant immediately. [8] X Research source
Up your intake by drinking orange juice and eating foods like strawberries, kiwis and leafy green vegetables, which have a high vitamin C content. You can also take a vitamin C supplement, available in tablet form in drug and health food stores. The recommended dosage is 90 mg a day for men and 75 mg a day for women, according to the National Institutes of Health. [10] X Research source
Earache/loss of hearing Fever above 103 degrees Fever above 101 that lasts for more than 3 days Shortness of breath/wheezing Bloody mucus General symptoms that last more than 7 to 10 days Sore throat with a fever, but no cough and no runny nose. This may indicate strep throat, which should immediately be treated with antibiotics to prevent heart complications. Cough with a fever, but no runny nose and no sore throat. These symptoms may indicate pneumonia and should also be treated with antibiotics.
Make your own saline solution by mixing half a teaspoon of kosher salt into a cup of water. Fill the container with the saline solution, tilt your head to one side (over a sink), and insert the spout into one nostril and pour. The solution should flow in one nostril before coming out the other. When the water stops dripping, blow your nose gently, then repeat the process on the opposite side[17] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source
Give yourself a steam facial by boiling a pot of water. Pour that water into a separate bowl and then place your face over the steaming water. Hold a towel over your head to keep the steam in. Add a couple of drops of a sinus-clearing essential oil (such as tea tree or peppermint) to maximize the sinus-clearing benefits.
A hot, steamy bath can work wonders for you when you have a cold - not just in terms of decongestion, but also in terms of relaxation and heat. Again, try to make the water as hot as possible. If you decide to wash your hair (either in the bath or shower) remember to dry your hair thoroughly afterward, as damp hair can cause you to lose body heat, which is not good for a cold.
Aside from that, the common cold is a virus which attacks and weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to contracting other illnesses or your cold becoming worse. Therefore, staying in your home environment is the safest option, at least until you start to feel well again.
Even if you can’t sleep, try curling up on the couch with a warm blanket and a hot drink, Use this time as an excuse to binge on multiple re-runs of Friends or read the entire Harry Potter series. When sleeping, try to prop your head up on an extra pillow. It may feel a little strange if you’re not used to it, but the raised angle will aid in the draining of your nasal passages. If it really feels uncomfortable, try placing the extra pillow beneath the bottom sheet or under the mattress on your bed, for a less severe angle. [24] X Research source
Despite the benefits of heat, dry heat can actually irritate inflamed nasal passages and sore throats. You can combat this by using a humidifier to add moisture back into the air. This can help to make breathing more comfortable. Just be aware that humidifiers can spread pathogens and molds.
Try to drink slightly more than average when you’re sick - whether the fluids come in the form of hots teas, soups, water-heavy fruit and veg (watermelon, tomato, cucumber, pineapple), or just plain water. A handy way to check for dehydration is to examine your urine. If it’s very pale yellow or almost clear, you’re doing okay. But if it’s dark yellow, this means that there are higher concentrations of waste in your body that are not being diluted, which is a sign that you should drink more water.
Taking a spoonful of elderberry syrup every morning. This syrup can be found in most health food stores, or you can make your own. By adding a couple of drops of elderberry extract (also found in health food stores) to a glass of water or juice. Or by drinking elderberry tea - a hot beverage with elderflowers and peppermint leaves.
You can eat a spoonful of the raw honey by itself or stir it into warm water or tea. Another great cure for a cold is to have a glass of milk mixed with a spoonful of turmeric powder, then chase it down quickly with a spoonful of honey. Try to source raw honey from your local area, as it will help your body to develop a tolerance for allergens native to your region.
