Cold symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion and a sore throat create misery and inconvenience. Infection with a cold may require time off work and cause you to miss eagerly anticipated events. There are things you can do to ease unpleasant cold symptoms, make yourself feel better and reduce your cold's duration.
Hot Liquids
Hot liquids help reduce congestion by loosening chest and sinus secretions. People given hot beverages experienced immediate and prolonged relief from cold symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, chills and fatigue, reports "The New York Times." People given the same drinks at room temperature only experienced relief from sneezing, runny nose and coughing.
Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is an age-old remedy for colds. Chicken soup speeds the movement of mucus through the nasal passages, easing congestion and reducing the amount of time viruses remain in the nose. Chicken soup is also anti-inflammatory as it prevents the movement of neutrophils, immune system cells that encourage the body's inflammatory response, according to MayoClinic.com.
Zinc
Zinc may be effective for reducing the duration of cold symptoms, according to a 1996 study published by S. Mossad and colleagues in the "Annals of Internal Medicine." People with colds received zinc lozenges every two hours. Zinc recipients spent significantly less days with nasal congestion, coughing and a sore throat than people receiving a placebo. Zinc appears to be most effective if taken at the first signs of a cold, states MayoClinic.com.
Echinacea
Studies on the effectiveness of echinacea as a cold remedy show mixed results. Some studies report reduced duration and severity of symptoms if echinacea is taken at the first signs of a cold, but other studies do not. It appears the type of echinacea supplement used may be significant, says MayoClinic.com. More research is needed.
Ginseng
Ginseng reduces the severity and duration of cold symptoms, according to a 2005 study published by G. Predy and colleagues in the "Canadian Medical Association Journal." People who had suffered colds in the past year took 200 mg of North American ginseng root extract twice daily for four months. Ginseng recipients reported fewer cold symptoms and shorter colds than people given a placebo.
Rest
Get plenty of rest and stay home from work if possible. If your body is over-worked, it is more difficult for it to rid itself of a cold virus. Aim for seven and a half to eight and a half hours sleep a night. Sleeping for only four hours a night weakens your immune system, says "Fitness" magazine.
References
- The New York Times: The Claim: Hot Liquids Can Ease Symptoms of a Cold or Flu
- MayoClinic.com: Common Cold: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Fitness Magazine: 5 Ways to Get Rid of a Cold Fast
- MayoClinic.com: Common Cold: Alternative Medicine
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; Zinc Gluconate Lozenges for Treating the Common Cold; S. Mossad, et al.; July 1996
- "Canadian Medical Association Journal"; Efficacy of an Extract of North American Ginseng Containing Poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for Preventing Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: a Randomized Controlled Trial; G. Predy, et al.; October 2005
