What to do about colds and flu

The old adage, "It takes three days to develop a cold, three days to appear, and three days to go away," is pretty accurate, so if your cold lasts longer than about nine days, it's time to ask your doctor. counselor for help because it may not be a cold at all. It's that time of year again! A cold can make you feel unwell for a few days, but it's not as serious an illness as you might think when you're in the middle of it. cold, three days for it and three days for it to go away' is pretty accurate, so if your cold lasts longer than about nine days, it's time to get help from your doctor because it may not be a cold. All. On the other hand, the flu can be a serious illness, especially if you are very young, elderly or already have respiratory problems. There are quite a few different flu viruses and each one behaves differently, so what can you do to avoid catching a cold or flu, and what can you do to ease your symptoms if you're unlucky enough to catch it? First - all about colds. Colds are contagious viral infections of the respiratory tract that cause inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose and throat. Because they are caused by a virus, taking antibiotics won't help, but there are many natural remedies to help you deal with it. The symptoms of the common cold are familiar to everyone and include: - stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, stuffy head, headache, minor muscle aches, fatigue and sore throat. What causes a cold? There are over 200 different strains of the common cold virus. Most adults develop immunity to most of them over time. The symptoms are not caused by the virus itself, but by your body's defense systems trying to rid you of the virus. Colds are easily spread through direct or indirect contact with a cold or through the air when someone who already has a cold sneezes or coughs. Colds are not caused by exposure to cold, wet winter weather, but by a reduction in your body's defenses due to stress, overwork, etc. It is also thought that indoor (central) heating and dry air can dry out your nasal passages and make them more hospitable to cold viruses. (Consider using a humidifier.) Cold Prevention The long-term answer is to maintain a strong immune system through stress management and a healthy lifestyle. Chinese Medicine and Qigong practitioners would also recommend that you maintain your vital life energy (qi/chi) by practicing Tai Chi, Chi Kung, or using energy for self-healing (as in Reiki). When you practice these energy exercises, you will raise your energy vibration to a level that will protect you from external pathogenic factors (bacteria and viruses). Also, limit your exposure to the cold virus by washing your hands frequently, avoiding people with colds, avoiding sharing towels and phones, and trying not to touch your face with unwashed hands. Natural Cold Treatment Supplements can help you recover faster and also reduce some of your symptoms. Vitamin C, the most popular choice, doesn't actually prevent colds, but it will help boost your immune system's response to viruses and shorten their duration. Vitamin A taken in high doses (50,000 IU twice a day) at the first sign of a cold can help fight the virus. Do not continue taking such high doses for more than five days. And if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, do not exceed 5,000 IU of vitamin A per day. Ginger is a popular Ayurvedic remedy for colds. Mix equal amounts of ginger, cinnamon, and lemongrass, steep in a cup of hot water for about 10 minutes, then add honey to taste. Or swap the lemongrass for a pinch of cardamom. Echinacea herb strengthens immunity. This natural antiviral herb should not be taken for more than two weeks at a time. The herb Goldenseal can be taken along with Echinacea and works well to relieve cold symptoms. Zinc lozenges can also help speed up recovery and can ease sore throats. (Look for lozenges containing zinc gluconate, glycinate and ascorbate). To ease a sore throat, try gargling with warm salt water several times a day, and drinking hot liquids, including tea and chicken soup, is soothing. If you can, why not rest in bed when you feel sick. When to call a doctor Infants and the elderly may be at risk of developing pneumonia. If your cold suddenly worsens after a few days and you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, a productive cough, and a high fever, call your doctor. If you have asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema, be prepared to call your doctor if it seems to be getting worse. What to do about the flu (Flu) The flu is a contagious viral infection. A bad cold is very similar to a mild flu, but a more severe case of the flu affects the whole body, with a fever between 101°F and 103°F and chills, pounding head, joint and muscle pain, cough, dry or burning eyes, sore throat, and fatigue. The incubation period for the flu is usually three or four days after exposure to the virus. Although the flu usually lasts less than 10 days, fatigue and lack of appetite can persist for weeks afterward. Just like a cold, flu symptoms are caused by the body trying to fight off the virus. Again, as with the common cold, there is no real cure, although rest and certain herbs and supplements can help make symptoms more tolerable and support the body's fight against the virus. People at greatest risk of developing complications from the flu are the elderly, people with chronic conditions (such as heart or lung disease), and anyone whose immune system is depressed, such as AIDS patients or those who have recently received chemotherapy. What are the causes of the flu? Influenza outbreaks are caused by mutating strains of the three basic types of influenza viruses and often occur as epidemics. Viruses are caught and transmitted in the same way as cold viruses. Type A viruses are usually the most efficient and are most often responsible for epidemics. Type B viruses are less severe and type C viruses are responsible for the mildest cases of the flu, which are most similar to the common cold. Flu prevention For people most at risk of complications, the flu vaccine is one option. Zanamivir (Relenza), which is a nasal spray, and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are antivirals that can be prescribed, but you must take them early in the course of the illness for them to work. Supplements that can help ease flu symptoms. Vitamin A can help shorten the duration of the flu. Use as recommended for colds (see above). Vitamin C can also help when taken in high doses (2,000 mg three times a day for five days). Consider the herb echinacea to boost your immune system. However, do not take echinacea for more than two weeks without a break. Also try the homeopathic remedy Oscilloccocinum. Acupuncture can help some people avoid the flu or avoid the worst symptoms and shorten the length of the illness if you do get it.