How To Beat The Common Cold
Posted: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
by Olufemi Ladeinde
Rencare Limited
The common cold is a viral infection that attacks the upper respiratory tract. The most infective period is when you have the early symptoms of sneezing, runny nose and cough. During this time, the virus replicates in the cells lining the nose and are coughed or sneezed out in droplets of mucus. The secretions are copious because the body is taking action to limit how far the viruses get. The sticky mucus traps the virus and the cilia lining the respiratory tract moves the infected mucus towards the mouth. Accumulation of thick mucus in the nasopharynx triggers the coughing and sneezing reflexes. The inflammation caused by the virus causes swelling of the nasal tissues leading to the blocking of the passage.
The only guaranteed way to avoid a cold is to become a hermit. The advice to those coughing and sneezing continuously is to remain at home, or to have large handkerchiefs or tissues into which they could cough and this would trap the viruses and reduce spread.
Some people are more susceptible to catching colds than others. Some even claim they never get colds. They probably do get the infection but not the symptoms. There is a difference in the readiness of individual immune systems to fight off invading hordes of viruses. There are also genetic differences in our immune systems that make some people more vulnerable. Many cold infections produce no symptom of disease. As they do not cause symptoms they pass without notice. Alternatively, they may cause minor symptoms such as a throat irritation and a couple of sneezes which are not recognised as a cold.
The heavy colds that cause severe symptoms represent a minor proportion of the infection. Genetic differences in the immune system may also explain why the same virus causes severe symptoms in one person and mild or no symptoms in another. For example, women's immune systems are different from men's because they have to support a foreign body during pregnancy. For that reason, their immune systems are more tolerant.
The pressure of everyday life can make you more susceptible to infection. Those pressures represent stress which generates an inflammatory cascade resulting in suppression of the immune system. It is important to be aware of ways to protect yourself and fight against a cold if you get one. Symptoms of the common cold last a few days to a week.
Beating the cold
Many different strains of viruses cause the common cold and new cold viruses constantly develop through mutations. The body cannot build up resistance against all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. This is also why immunizations are not the way forward either with the common cold or any other viral infection that mutates rapidly. A good example here is the H1N1 flu virus.
Dispose of tissues hygienically by putting them in a bin immediately they are used and wash your hands to stop the spreading of germs. Allow sunlight to fall into rooms if possible as the infrared radiations kill off viruses. Staying indoors in enclosed areas could cause the cold to spread faster. This is why most of the infections of common cold occur at home and at school where large numbers of people are in close proximity in confined spaces. Try to have a ginger tea to sooth the throat and boost your immunity. Add a spoon of menthol vapour rub into a bowl of hot water and breathe in the menthol fumes as they are given off. This helps to loosen up the phlegm and open up blocked nasal passages. Drink plenty of water.
At the same time, increase the intake of vitamin C by taking fruit juices that are freshly made. There has been a lot of controversy over the effectiveness of vitamin C in affecting the course of the common cold, but the experience of this writer is that it has been extremely helpful not only in shortening the period of the infection, but in terminating a nascent infection. How much vitamin C is required is individual because people differ in their requirements. It is important to also note here that taking fresh fruits and juices may not be as effective as it would have been, because research has shown a steady decline in the amount of nutrients available in our fruits and vegetables over the last fifty years.
Cayenne pepper is an excellent remedy for common cold. Make yourself a broth, maybe chicken or anything else you fancy and sprinkle cayenne pepper on it liberally. It will help to open up the congested sinuses and improve breathing. Another advantage is that cayenne pepper contains vitamin C which also helps relieve common cold.
Zinc has been found to be an important regulator of immunity, and studies have shown it to be an excellent mineral to take in the event of viral illness, such as the common cold . If you take zinc at the onset of a cold, you may find that it aborts the full effects of the illness and you will get better faster.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic with strong antibacterial properties. It is also wonderful for the common cold . The great thing is that you can't eat too much of it! However, garlic interacts with some drugs and it is necessary to be careful if you are on medication.
Onions are a natural decongestant . Blend onions with a little bit of sugar and add it to hot leek soup and this should help to reduce your congestion or cough . Cinnamon has high anti-oxidant activity, apart from being a source of fiber, calcium, iron, and manganese. Cinnamon especially helps with coughs, and sore throats. If you take blood thinners or anti-diabetic drugs you should consult a doctor before taking cinnamon. Ginger stimulates circulation, relieves congestion and helps clear the air passages of mucus.
In order to avoid the common cold, avoid things that could harbour the virus, keep a clean environment and live a healthy lifestyle. Don't take drugs to mask cold symptoms. Try to beat the cold naturally with simple, effective and fast-acting natural health strategies as soon as you get the first cold symptoms. Getting rid of common cold quickly requires drinking lots of fluid and getting a good amount of sleep. Dietary changes, including eating garlic, may help ward off the common cold.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Many wonderful, inexpensive ideas to give relief for the pesky cold! Enjoyed the read and learned from it too. Thanks for sharing your ideas and solutions with us! Marijo
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