A cold is an infectious disease that affects the nose and throat.Even if you aren't sick enough to need medical attention, having a cold makes it harder to go about your daily life.If you have one that lasts longer than two weeks, you should see a doctor to make sure it isn't something more serious.
Step 1: You should drink more water.
If you have a cold or a flu, it will cause you to lose water.You don't want to force your body to deal with both the cold and dehydration by not drinking enough.When you sleep, keep a cup of water near your bed.If you sleep restlessly, you will be able to take a few swallows each time you wake to avoid dehydration.Don't drink and coffee.Both will make you sick.Dark or cloudy urine is a sign that you are dehydrated.
Step 2: Get more sleep.
When healthy, most adults need about 8 hours per night.You will probably need more if you are fighting off a cold.Allow yourself to sleep.Your body tells you what it needs when you are sleepy.Your body will be able to fight the cold more effectively if you are fully rested.
Step 3: Breathing difficulties can be alleviated with humidity.
It can be hard to sleep at night if you have a bad nose.If you want to keep the air in your bedroom moist, use a cool-mist humidifier or a vaporizer.The more energy you have to fight off the virus, the better you sleep.You can make one if you don't have a humidifier or vaporizer.Take a pot of warm water and put it on the radiator.
Step 4: It's a good idea to avoid getting chilled.
The air temperature around you will feel cold.If you start to shiver, this will affect your body's ability to fight the cold virus.If you have to go to work or school, you should wear a big sweater.Add an extra blanket to your bed if you can stay home.If you can't get warm, sip a cup of warm tea or use a hot water bottle.
Step 5: Chicken soup will keep you going.
The salt replenishes your electrolytes.The warm steam will help clear your nose.Chunks of chicken, noodles, peas, carrots, and other vegetables can be added to the soup to make it more substantial.
Step 6: Milk can be found in food and drinks.
Milk increases the amount of mucus in your body.Almond and soy milk can be in these products.There is yogurt, pudding, and cream.Butter, margarine, cream cheese.Some products are high in fats.
Step 7: Congestion should be treated with steam.
Add essential oils to the water by boiling it.If you want to breathe in the steam, put the pot on the table.This will help you relax and relieve the obstruction in your nose.If you want to maximize the amount of steam you can use a towel to form a tent over your head.If you don't get relief, inhale the steam for at least 10 minutes.Children should be supervised so they don't accidentally burn themselves on the hot water or hot pot.Do not allow a child to eat the oil.It can be dangerous.
Step 8: When you sleep, apply a vapor rub to your chest.
As you lie flat, this will help keep your nose clear.You can apply it to the skin on your chest.Follow the instructions on the packaging when applying it.If you apply it to your nostrils, you are putting yourself at risk of inhaling small droplets into your lungs.
Step 9: Clear your nose with drops.
Even for children, if the drops just contain salt water, they are safe.They will help make breathing easier.They are available without a prescription.There are some sprays and drops that contain more than salt and water.Check the ingredients on the label for Preservatives.The lining of your nose is made of cells.If you are using a spray with a Preservative, do not use it more often than recommended.If you are pregnant, nursing, or treating a child, you should consult a doctor.
Step 10: If the solution didn't work, try something else.
It is possible to take these medications as sprays.They are available over the counter.They should only be used for a week at the longest, after which they may cause inflammation of the tissues in your nose, which will make your symptoms worse.CSDs are not safe for everyone.If you're pregnant or unsure if you are, you should consult with your doctor.
Step 11: gargling with warm saltwater will soothe your throat.
If your throat is sore from coughing, the warmth will soothe it.The salt can help fight infections.If you don't see it, mix at least a quarter of a table salt into a glass of warm water.You can add more salt to make it stronger if you don't mind the taste.gargle and tip your head back.Children need to be supervised so that they don't choke.Try to gargle for a while.The water has a lot of germs in it, so don't swallow it.Spit it into the sink.
Step 12: Over-the-counter pain and fever medications can be used.
This will help with headaches or joint pain.Ibuprofen or acetaminophen are commonly used medications.If you are pregnant, nursing or treating a child, you should consult a doctor.When determining the dosages for children, follow your doctor's instructions or the directions on the packaging.If you take any other cold medicines, make sure they don't contain the same ingredients.Do not take them together because of the increased risk of overdose.Aspirin is associated with Reye's syndrome and should not be given to children or teenagers.
Step 13: Talk to your doctor if you have a cough.
Your body's way of getting rid of diseases is to cough.Suppressing the cough may be necessary if you can't sleep, but it may make it harder for your body to clear the virus from your system.Children younger than four should not be given cough syrups.Follow the instructions on the bottle for older children.If there aren't specific instructions for your child's age, consult a doctor.Children under the age of eight should not be given cough medicines, as they have not been shown to have much effect.
Step 14: Don't use ineffective remedies.
There are a number of remedies that people use that are either known to be ineffective or don't have enough evidence to suggest that they are successful.If you use alternative treatments, make sure they don't interact with other drugs.Antibiotics are included in these treatments.Antibiotics won't help the colds because they are caused by viruses.There is a plant called Echinacea.There is no evidence for the effectiveness of Echinacea.It can help when you take it at the start of a cold.The evidence is mixed.Some studies suggest it may shorten the cold, others don't.There is zinc.Taking zinc at the start of the cold may help.Some studies suggest it isn't useful.Zinc can cause you to lose your sense of smell if you take it in the form of a spray.
Step 15: The child should be brought to the doctor.
The doctor will look for something more serious than a common cold.A child between three months and two years old has a cold and a high temperature.If your child needs to be seen, call your doctor.Older children should be checked by a doctor if they have a high temperature for more than three days.Dehydration.Children that are dehydrated may have trouble urinating or passing urine.Vomiting abdominal pain, staying awake, headaches, and breathing problems are some of the symptoms.Children are too young to say what's wrong.A cough that doesn't go away.
Step 16: If you are an adult, go to the doctor.
Symptoms to watch out for as an adult include: a high temperature of 103F (39.4C) or higher, sweating, chills, and coughing up colored mucus.
Step 17: You should wash your hands frequently.
Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth without washing your hands.These are the entry points for cold viruses.It is possible to reduce the amount of viruses on your hands.For at least 20 seconds, rub your hands together with soap.If it's available, use it.After coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, or shaking hands, wash your hands.
Step 18: People who are sick should be avoided.
shaking hands, hugging, kissing, or touching people who have symptoms is not allowed.If it's possible, wash keyboards, doorknobs, and toys that sick people have been touching.Avoid crowds if you can limit your exposure to sick people.Crowds in small spaces have little air circulation.
Step 19: A healthy diet will power your immune system.
Most colds don't affect your appetite.If you think you're going to get a cold, make sure to give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy.Make sure you get the vitamins you need by eating diverse fruits and vegetables.Whole-grain breads are good sources of energy and fiber.Chicken, beans, fish and eggs are some of the healthy, low fat sources ofProtein.Don't eat pre-packaged processed foods if you are tired.They may have a lot of sugar, salt and fat.It will make you feel full without giving you a balanced diet.
Step 20: Techniques for dealing with stress can be developed.
Stress can have a negative effect on your immune system and increase your chances of getting an illness.Exercising daily can help you deal with stress.This will help you relax and improve your mood.Sleep for 8 hours each night.As many as 10 hours may be required by some adults.If you want to wake up without being exhausted in the morning, try to stick to a regular schedule that allows you enough sleep.There are close relationships that provide social support.