|
Magazine
A sniffle-free guide
|
A common cold is caused by viruses. Syrups and tablets are meant to provide only temporary relief from symptoms. DR. ALPANA UTTURE offers a few tips to help you get through a cold without much discomfort this winter.
|
AT sometime or another, every one falls prey the common cold. The bravest and the strongest are virtues that do not matter to these viruses as they set about reducing us to coughing, sneezing shadows of our former selves. Research has shown that the cold and wintry environment of November, December and January, leaves us vulnerable to attack. To find out more about colds, read on ... ..
What is a cold?
The common cold is a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract affecting the nose and the throat. A variety of viruses cause the common cold and that is why the body is less like to develop immunity against them. Colds are most frequent among school-going children but their incidence lessens with age. The average child gets a cold more than eight times a year. This is because there are hundreds of different viruses and children encounter each one of them for the first time. Gradually the human body builds up immunity and we get fewer colds.
How do you catch a cold?
Sneezing or coughing by a person suffering from a cold transmits the infection through air.
Physical contact with objects, such as a doorknob or a telephone receiver, contaminated with the viruses spread the infection.
You are probably getting a cold if ... .
* If you have a "tickle" in your throat, a runny or stuffy nose and sneezing;
* If you suffer from a headache;
* If you have a mild fever;
* If you have muscle aches, body aches and feel fatigued and
* If you suffer from loss of appetite.
Colds usually last for five to seven days.
A common cold is caused by viruses and cannot be cured by antibiotics. Medicines used for a cold, like syrups and tablets, are meant to provide only temporary relief from symptoms and cannot cure a cold. However, below are some tips to help you get through a cold quickly and more comfortably.
Tips to fight a cold
* Midnight medicine. Rubs containing natural ingredients like pudina (Menthol), kapoor (Camphor) and Nilgiri (Eucalyptus oil), relieve congestion and help you breathe more easily. It also has a soothing and cooling effect. They are especially effective in children and help them sleep well at night.
* Steam inhalation. It is an excellent method for opening blocked nasal passages. Fill a bowl with steaming water. Add two teaspoonfuls of a mentholated rub and gently inhale the steaming mentholated vapours. But supervise children to avoid scalding.
* Drink extra fluids such as water, juices (orange, grapefruit) and tea, to replace fluids lost during the illness. Also eat fresh fruit rich in Vitamin C like citrus fruits.
* Take extra rest as it helps your body fight the infection.
* Have a positive attitude as it can heal and mobilise the immune system.
* In case of fever associated with a cold, use a tablet meant for a cold with paracetamol.
Consult your doctor if the cold is accompanied by high fever or if the cold persists beyond one week as this may be because of a more serious infection.
Additionally, a cold is the manifestation of a viral infection and does not need as much internal treatment as externally safe and effective medication. Products with natural ingredients like pudina (Menthol), kapoor (Camphor) and Nilgiri (Eucalyptus oil) are useful. Pudina opens a blocked nose, kapoor acts as a mild analgesic to soothe body aches and Nilgiri calms cough. Products with such natural ingredients have proved effective for millions of Indians over the last 50 years.
* Special tips for diabetics, high blood pressure sufferers and pregnant women
If you are diabetic or suffer from high blood pressure, you may already be taking internal medicine for your condition. In such a situation, when you are suffering from a cold, externally applied cold rubs do not interfere with your medicine. For pregnant women who do not want to take internal medicine for fear of side effects on the child, cold rubs are again an effective alternative.
So, get set to enjoy the winter and do not let the viruses get the better of you.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Magazine
|
