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Getting Over a Cold

Here are some of things that I have personally found helpful in getting over a cold (virus) quickly. I would revise this for children, children are more complex and sensitive, especially to any pharma. I wrote this after a friend was ill, and it appears my personal learnings worked for them as well, then I realized that we never really keep a journal of what works and what doesn't when we are not feeling well.

Diet

Do's

• Stay hydrated with clear liquids.
  • Honey, Lemon, Ginger tea is a great thing checking off several boxes at once. Honey for some healthy energy and it can soothe sore thoats. Lemon to make the drink slighly acid, boost vitamin C. Ginger to settle your stomach and add flavor.
  • Chicken noodle soup. I don't know why, it just works. Doesn't have to be fancy I always keep Liptons cup of noodle soup handy.
  • Water ... hot or cold.
• Your dietary goal is to create slightly acid body when everything seems to be mucous and phlem. The hydration and acidity will be a natural decongestant. Too much or too thick mucous and phlem can cause other problems, headaches, sinus issues (which are directly connected to ears, nose and throat), coughing, then sore throats. The list of secondary goes on.
• Soothe a sore thoat.
  • gargle saltwater 1/2 teaspoon in 8 ounces of warm (body temp) water.
  • Nasal rinse kits (typically a saline packet and a measured amount of water) can either squish a bottle to rinse one nostril at a time. Not a particularly beautiful process but it can clear contaminents from the nasal passages and allow them to function normally again.

Don'ts

• Avoid dairy, oil, meat, starches, caffeine, alcohol.
  • For me these foods almost immediately increase mucous and phlem production, and otherwise make me feel worse.
• Avoid large meals. For me, I'm just not hungry, and I have found that I actually do better on the hungry side vs. sated.
• Avoid Cough Syrups. Many times these pharma are targeted at symptoms not underlying cause, so you may feel better, or even get knocked out for a short period, but the problems are all there and instead of eliminating phlem and mucous in your body it runs into your chest where it can cause some REAL problems.
• Avoid Decongestants. Nasal drops, sprays and the like. I've personally found shifting my diet is more effective. Diet may take a day or two to take effect, but I have found that net recovery period is faster and I don't get the nasty sideeffects of the pharma.

Rest

• Sometimes you need to sleep. Your body is working hard.
  • If you can't rest aspirin is amazing thing to keep around for headaches, joint pain, heart concerns, and sleep assistance.
• Sleep on your side. Sleeping on your back will allow phlem and mucous to drain down your throat while you sleep ... which can lead to excessive coughing, fluid build up, and upset stomach. Sleeping on your side, changing sides regularly can help prevent this. I find a couple of pillows along your body or a couch works great. Sleeping on your front ... I just don't see how people can do that, sinus drain, breathing and skeletal comfort seem to be issues here.
• Sometimes you need some light exercise. Our natural healthy state involves a good deal of exercise. You may find that your body stiffens up, or your breathing is different. It could be that you are just not getting enough exercise. A 30 minute walk outside might do wonders, and be a great change of environment. Please be respectful, and use a mask when you may be in the presence of others.

Environment

• ~60% humidity is good. Drier then your mucous and phlem might be more noticeable. Wetter then you might have other concerns like mold or bateria starting to form in your environment.
• Warm, even hot for the chest. I have found sleeping with your chest on a heating pad can "dry" out your lungs and chest, making sleeping and overall recovery more pleasant. Don't have a heating pad, sipping on hot water or tea might help.
• Tissue available everywhere and waste bins for collection. Don't ever miss the opportunity to blow or spit out mucous or phlem. Don't have tissue on hand, toilet paper works just fine.
• Rooms, Linens and blankets. Be sure to clean and launder everthing thoroughly every 2-3 days. Most of the time you are better by then, but if you are not, consider giving your immediate environment a good cleaning with disinfecting sprays, laundering, and so on. This might be the reason you are not getting better!

Things to watch for

You might consider seeing a doctor if:

• Symptomes that worsen of fail to improve.
• Fever greater than 101.3 F (or 38.5 C) lasting more than 3 days.
• Fever returning after a fever free period.
• Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, or wheezing.
• Severe headache, sinus pain, or sore throat.