Top Remedies for the Common Cold

Regardless of if it’s cold season or not, virtually everyone is susceptible to catching the common cold at any time during the year. Symptoms include headache, stuffiness, and sore throat, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. Nobody likes being sick, but if you catch the cold, there are a few things that you can do at home to help relieve your symptoms and recover quicker.

At Ascot Family Practice, we believe in a comprehensive approach to your health. From natural at-home remedies to a visit to one of our friendly doctors, we’re here to help with all of your health questions and concerns. Let’s take a look at some of the top at-home remedies for the common cold.

Rest

If you catch a cold, it’s important to get plenty of rest to help expedite your recovery. When your body is resting, it focuses its energy on allowing you to heal and recover. Lack of sleep can elongate your cold symptoms because your body is not able to fight off the cold as efficiently. It takes a lot of energy to combat an illness, so it’s important to get enough rest to allow your body ample time to recover.

Hydration

Hydration is just as important as ample rest when you have the common cold. Dehydration is a major concern in those that have a cold, and if you’re not drinking enough liquids, dehydration can make your symptoms much worse. Water and juice are two great options to stay hydrated when you’re sick. Avoid drinks that may cause dehydration, such as caffeine and alcohol.

In addition to helping with dehydration, drinking plenty of fluids also helps with congestion. Increased fluid intake can help break up sinus and chest congestion, which are two common symptoms of a cold.

Battling Cold Symptoms

Depending on your symptoms, there are a few additional steps that you can take to battle your cold symptoms. Gargling warm salt water may help soothe a sore throat. The warm salt water works its way into the impacted area of your throat and may provide temporary relief from the pain.

If gargling warm salt water does not help, try over the counter lozenges or sore throat sprays. Always follow the recommended dosage, and do not give lozenges to small children.

While increased water intake can help break up congestion, sometimes additional steps are needed for sinus congestion issues. Saline sprays are effective at breaking up congestion and clearing your sinuses.

For headaches and body aches often associated with the common cold, over the counter painkillers should do the trick. Always follow the recommended dosage and give your reliable local doctors in Ascot a call if you have any questions about what you can and cannot and if your symptoms are not improving, or worsening.

Things to Avoid

Avoid taking antihistamines to combat your stuffiness, or at least be mindful of what you are taking. Common allergy medicines can cause drowsiness, which can be dangerous when completing motor activities like driving.

Many people may think that taking an antibiotic will help the common cold. A cold is actually a virus, which means that an antibiotic will not have any impact or provide any relief. In fact, taking an antibiotic to combat the cold may develop antibiotic-resistant bacteria in your body, which can lead to further health problems.

If you suspect your symptoms are not that of the common cold, contact your trusted Ascot GP for a check up and more reliable prognosis.

Ascot Family Practice

If you still aren’t experiencing any relief after trying these at-home methods, give the team at Ascot Family Practice a call. We can work with you one on one to create a custom treatment plan that will expedite your recovery and get you back to normal in no time.

For more great at-home remedies, medical advice or to schedule an appointment, give us a call today.