How To Take Care Of The Common Cold At Home
In most cases, it is possible to take care of the common cold at home. This condition can affect anyone and does not usually cause major complications. Still, its symptoms are bothersome and may be the reason for absenteeism from work or school.
Symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing and coughing generate a general discomfort that prevents the performance of daily tasks. Fortunately, with some self-care measures, it usually improves in a short time. Discover below some recommendations.
What is the common cold?
The common cold is a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract. It can be caused by many different types of viruses. In fact, it is estimated that there are around 200 types of related viruses, such as rhinovirus, adenovirus, or others.
Throughout history, an attempt has been made to identify the factors that help the development of this pathology. For example, it has been seen that it is more frequent in childhood, in stressful situations or in places where a dry and cold environment predominates.
Symptoms usually appear two to three days after exposure to the virus. They include the following:
- Nasal congestion.
- Sneezing
- General discomfort.
- Low fever (only in some cases).
- Cough and sore throat
- Headache.
The mucus thickens as the disease progresses. However, symptoms improve on their own within days. Even so, it is convenient to put into practice some tips to cope with it and reduce the risk of complications.
Tips for taking care of the common cold at home
If there are no signs of complications from a common cold episode, just a few simple tips to cope with the symptoms are enough. This, added to a good rest, will cause a feeling of improvement in a short time.
Consume healthy water and fluids
Maintaining good hydration is one of the fundamental measures to relieve congestion. When we drink a lot of fluids, the mucus thickens and is easier to remove, either by sneezing or coughing.
It is recommended to drink both water and hot infusions. Similarly, soups and broths often create a comforting sensation. Ideally, avoid other substances that promote dehydration, such as alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.
Make a saline solution
The application of a saline solution can help us to improve discomfort such as nasal congestion and throat irritation. It is enough to dilute a quarter of a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Then, we use the liquid to do a nasal wash or gargle.
In the pharmacy you can also buy saline solution in aerosols and nasal drops. They are applied in case of blockage and excess mucus production. In babies, the ideal is to apply several drops of the product in one nostril. Then it is sucked carefully with a gum pear.
Take care of the rest environment
Rest is one of the most important measures when taking care of a cold. However, we must ensure that it is in an environment free of irritants, such as cigarette smoke, dust, or strong-smelling chemicals. Exposure to these can make symptoms worse.
We can also install a humidifier in the room so that the environment is humid and warm. In this way, irritation of the respiratory tract decreases and the feeling of relief increases.
What else can we do to take care of a cold?
In addition to putting the above into practice, it is important to remember the importance of reducing the risk of contagion. Thus, we must cover our nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing to prevent the particles of our secretions from infecting others. Regular hand washing and avoiding sharing personal items is another useful measure for this.
If there are symptoms such as headaches or general malaise, the consumption of pain reliever medications, such as ibuprofen or seemstamol is recommended. There are also mucolytic and antitussive drugs that help reduce mucus thickness and cough. In any case, to avoid self-medication, it is best to go to the doctor and follow his recommendations.
