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Help Yourself
A cold lasts for around ten days, you will have to let it follow its course
and build up your health to resist the next one! A bit of tender loving care
to your body should prevent it from developing into anything more nasty, but
keep an eye out for rashes, very high fevers, coughs with breathing difficulties
and other signs that you may need prompt medical help.
Feed a cold
Avoid mucus
producing foods, such as bananas, dairy products (including milk) and peanuts,
while you have a cold, and upping your intake or oranges and other foods rich
in vitamin C can help.
The Osteopathic Centre for Children suggests a simple if foul tasting remedy - which works - if you can face it! Grind up a mixture of equal parts of raw garlic and honey - say three spoonfuls of honey and three cloves of garlic. Store in the fridge and take one spoonful, two or three times a day. You could also increase your intake of Zinc and Vitamin C, by drinking orange juice, hot lemon and honey - especially if you've a sore throat - or taking vitamin C and Zinc tablets.
Wash it away
A simple, easy-to follow
remedy advises that when you feel heavy, stuffy and as if you are about to
come down with a cold then drink plenty of water served at room temperature
alternating with cups of steaming herbal tea (lemon/blackcurrant or your favourite).
This should help you through.
Working out what the bottle says
If you buy an over-the-counter
cold remedy or are prescribed one from your doctor, this is what they may
contain:
- Decongestant - helps relieve stuffiness in nose and sinuses
- Antihistamine - helps to stop the constant runny nose, sneezing, tickly nose, throat and eyes
- Analgesic - relieves aches, pains, headache and can calm fever
