When you sleep, keep a cup of water, juice, clear broth, or warm lemon water near your bed. If you sleep restlessly, this will enable you to take a few swallows each time you wake and avoid dehydration throughout the night. Avoid alcohol and coffee. Both will dehydrate you. [3] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If you are urinating infrequently or passing dark or cloudy urine, these are signs that you are dehydrated. [4] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Give yourself permission to nap. When you are sleepy, that is your body telling you what it needs. Being fully rested will help boost your immune system and enable your body to fight the cold more effectively.
If you don’t have a humidifier or vaporizer you can quickly and cheaply make one. Put a pot of warm water on the radiator and let it slowly evaporate overnight.
Try using a hot water bottle or sipping a cup of warm tea if you have trouble getting warm.
If you have an appetite for something more substantial, you can add chunks of chicken, noodles, peas, carrots, and other nutritious vegetables to the broth.
Products containing milk (including almond and soy milk). Yogurt, pudding, cream. Butter, margarine, cream cheese. Most other products that are high in fats.
Maximize the amount of steam you inhale by using a towel to form a tent over your head and the pot. Inhale the steam for at least 10 minutes or until you get relief. Children must be supervised so they don’t accidentally burn themselves on the hot water or hot pot. Do not ingest the eucalyptus oil or allow a child to do so. It can be poisonous.
Do not apply it to your nostrils because this puts you at risk of inhaling small droplets into your lungs.
Some saline sprays and drops contain more than just salt and water. Read the ingredients on the label to determine if they also contain preservatives. These preservatives may harm the cells in the lining of your nose. If you are using a spray with preservatives, do not use it more often than is recommended on the packaging. In addition, consult a doctor before using it if you are pregnant, nursing, or treating a child.
Are pregnant or are unsure if you are pregnant Are breastfeeding Are treating a child under 12 Are diabetic Have high blood pressure Have hyperthyroidism Have an enlarged prostate Have liver damage Have kidney or heart problems Have glaucoma Are taking antidepressants that are monoamine oxidase inhibitors Are taking other medications, even over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements, and you are unsure if they could interact
Mix at least 1/4th of a teaspoon of table salt into a glass of warm water until it is completely dissolved and you no longer see it. If you don’t mind the taste of the salt, you can add more to make it stronger. Tip your head back and gargle. Children should be supervised during this process so that they do not choke. Try to gargle for about one minute. Do not swallow the water when you are done because it has lots of germs from your throat in it. Spit it into the sink instead.
Follow your doctor’s instructions or the directions on the packaging when determining the dosages, especially for children. Check the ingredients in any other cold medicines you may be taking to make sure they do not contain the same ingredients. If so, do not take them together because this increases your risk of overdosing. Aspirin should not be given to children or teenagers because it is associated with Reye’s syndrome.
Do not give cough syrups to children younger than four. For older children, follow the instructions on the bottle. If there are no instructions specific to your child’s age, consult a doctor. Most pediatricians do not recommend giving cough medicines to any children, especially those under the age of eight, as they have not been shown to have much effect.
Antibiotics. Colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria, so antibiotics will not help. Echinacea. The evidence for the effectiveness of Echinacea is unclear. Some studies suggest it helps when you take it at the start of a cold, others suggest it is ineffective. [17] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor. org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source Vitamin C. The evidence is mixed. Some studies suggest that it may shorten the cold, others suggest it does not help. Zinc. Some studies suggest that zinc may help when taken at the start of the cold. Other studies suggest it is not useful. Do not take zinc in the form of a nasal spray because it can cause you to lose your sense of smell.
A baby under three months old with a fever over 100. 4°F (38°C) A child between three months and two years old with has a fever and cold. Call your doctor and they will let you know if your child needs to be seen. Older children should be checked by a doctor if they have a fever for more than three days or a fever that is over 103°F (39. 4°C). Dehydration. Children that are dehydrated may be tired, urinate infrequently, or pass dark or cloudy urine. Vomiting Abdominal pain Difficulty staying awake Severe headaches A stiff neck Problems breathing Crying for a long time. Especially in children that are too young to say what’s wrong. Earaches A cough that doesn’t go away
Fever of 103°F (39. 4°C) or higher Sweating, chills, and coughing up colored mucus Severely swollen glands Extreme sinus pain Severe headache Stiff neck Difficulty breathing
Rub your hands together with soap under running water for at least 20 seconds. If it is available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, or shaking hands with other people.
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Eat diverse fruits and vegetables to make sure you get the vitamins you need. Whole-grain breads are excellent sources of energy and fiber. Get protein through healthy, low fat sources such as poultry, beans, fish and eggs. Even though you may be tired, avoid eating pre-packaged processed foods. They are likely to have a lot of sugar, salt and fat. This will make you feel full without providing a balanced diet with the nutrients you need.
Exercising daily. This will release endorphins which will improve your mood and help you relax physically and emotionally. Sleep for 8 hours each night. Some adults may need as many as 10 hours. Try to stick to a regular schedule that allows you enough sleep so that you can wake up without being exhausted in the morning. Meditation Yoga Massage Having close relationships that provide social support
