As everyone knows, colds are a common occurrence every winter, and for many people, every time the seasons change. It is one of the illnesses that we have not yet found a cure for, but that does not mean that you have to suffer through your cold without trying to fight back. By learning how to quickly get over a cold, you can often prevent your cold from prolonging itself, or from getting worse. What makes a cold so poignant, and long lasting, is your body’s preexisting weaknesses. For example, if you have a predilection for sinus infections, asthma, and ear infections, your colds may be stronger, and you will feel worse. However, there are many tips for you to follow, that can teach you how to get rid of a cold fast. All of these tips can be used for any cold you catch, but they can be especially helpful for those who often suffer from other illnesses. Are you ready to learn how to get rid of a cold?
If you are prone to Sinus Infections
Sinus infections often follow colds, because once a cold virus enters your body, it often latches onto cells in the Respitory tract. This causes your immune system to respond, which then causes blood vessels in your nose to swell, and leak fluid. Mucus production is increased, and your cilia, which are the microscopic hairs that sweep away debris from within your sinuses, ears, and lungs, are slowed down. Bacteria become trapped inside of the mucus, which creates a environment perfect for sinus infections. In order to prevent this, you must clear your nose.
A Decongestant
You can use a decongestant in order to stop the swelling in your blood vessels, which can then allow the mucus to drain from your nose, and bacteria to be cleanses from your nose. However, they can cause “rebound congestion” when used everyday, so it is advised that you use the spray for two days, and then take two days without the decongestant, in order to maintain optimal performance. If you do not like decongestants, pills can provide an adequate replacement. The only downside, is that pills can often have side effects, including but not limited to drowsiness, insomnia, and jitteriness.
Non-Drowsy Antihistamines
There have also been studies that have shown that non-drowsy antihistamines can help reduce mucus and nasal congestion by almost 50%. As mentioned above, clearing your nose is the best way to ensure that you do not allow cold and sinus infection bacteria and viruses to remain in your nose. However, some people may become drowsy after using them, and each user should take caution when driving and other activities.
Mucus Thinners
Mucus thinners can also be used as the cold progresses and mucus and other nasal secretions grow thicker. They can help thin your mucus, making it easier to blow your nose and remove the mucus and congestion. You can also use mucus thinners while using decongestants.
A Natural Remedy
If you prefer not to take medicine, or if you would rather not take any medication, you can try and warm your sinuses to ease the flow of the mucus. This can be done by eating warm soup, drinking hot tea, or using a warm washcloth on your cheeks. This can also help facilitate your cilia into working again, to sweep away the congestion in your nose.
If you are prone to Acute Bronchitis
Colds can often cause problems in your lungs and respitory tract, and infections begin to develop in your upper airways, and spread through out your airways until it reaches the lower sections. This causes the severe coughing that is characteristic of common colds. Your windpipe and lungs are inflamed, and cannot clear themselves without coughing. But you can help to avoid worsening these symptoms, and clear your coughing faster.
It is important to stay away from smoking of any kind. Smoking and even inhaling secondhand smoke can lessen your immune systems ability to fight off illnesses. Often times tobacco can cause more inflammation in your Respitory tract and airways, and can slow you cilia even more. Likewise, smoke from fires can also worsen the symptoms of your cold, as it can irritate the sinuses, and cause more mucus to flood your system.
If you are prone to Ear Infections
Colds can often cause massive air pressure in your middle ear, caused by congestion and swelling in your nasal pathways. This eventually causes ear infections. Many people suffer ear infections as children, but do not believe that they can still suffer them as adults. This is wrong, as many people who suffer severe colds will tell you. If the pathways to your middle ears are blocked, infection and bacteria can enter your body.
In order to prevent this from happening, it is important to start using a decongestant as soon as you can. This will help keep you nasal pathways open, and prevent air pressure from building up in your ears, and prevent an ear infection from beginning. It is important that you do not pop your ears, as this will more likely push the mucus and infection deeper into your ears, and worsen your symptoms. Smoke should also be avoided, as this can help increase the amount of mucus in your nasal passages, and further slow down your body’s ability to remove mucus naturally.
For every cold, healing your body is the overall goal
If you want to know how to get rid of a cold fast, and prevent it from worsening into something harder to fight off, these tips are valuable tools to follow through. However, you cannot overlook the more basic ideas for fighting your cold. While your life may not always allow it, sleeping is the best way for your body to recuperate, and fight off your cold. When you do not get enough sleep, your body’s immune system significantly reduces its fighting ability, and you end up sabotaging your own health. Intense workouts can often time exacerbate your symptoms, and make your cold worse. By taking a few days off of your workout routine, your body can use all of its energy to fighting the cold, rather than trying to fight the cold and fuel your workout. Finally, eating lighter foods and drinking plenty of fluids will give your body enough fuel to fight the cold, without using energy to break down heavier foods. Following these tips will make sure that you beat your cold quickly, and efficiently.
Physical Health Problems