How to get over a Cold....?

[fab5freddy]

I recently waited out in the cold weather for a few hours and this resulted in me getting a cold,

i feel like **** now.

Does anyone have any advice to what natural remedies
i can do to get over this darn thing ?

I don't want to take chemicals, as a i am generally against unnatural stuff.....

thanks !

[bjett92]

You can't technically cure a cold, you can only treat the symptoms.

WebMD has 9 tips to treat a cold. (http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/9-tips-to-treat-colds-and-flu-the-natural-way) I've always found a hot shower and hot chocolate work great.

[Hello.there]

Time. That's the only thing that gets rid of a cold - all the other 'remedies' are bullpoo.

If you feel one coming on load yourself in Vitamin C, take a couple of paracetamol, wrap up warm and get some sleep - usually works for me.

[McGiord]

Drink a lot of fluids, have a good rest, sleep a lot, don't allow it to evolve into another serious condition.
To clean your nose out of the congestion use a saline solution spray.
________
FJ600 (http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Yamaha_FJ600)

[Gelfin]

Take echinacea and wait seven to ten days.
Or take vitamin C and wait seven to ten days.
Or drink a lot of water and wait seven to ten days.
Or have chicken soup and wait seven to ten days.
Or hop around on one foot and wait seven to ten days.
...you get the idea.

[Prof.]

BEHOLD!!!!

The only known "cure" for the common cold
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/resources/images/health-fitness/zicam-1-07/overview/0107_cong_ov1.jpg

[MisterHXC]

I remember my Mom used to give me these things called "Cold-eeze"

They we're supposed to cut cold time in half and it did. I reccomend it

[MacBook-Gal]

BEHOLD!!!!

The only known "cure" for the common cold

Lol.........It is also a genuine "nosewasher" that can be used to wash the germs out of your sinuses after you've been around people with contagious bugs!:eek:


If you can stand to take them, then garlic capsules are supposed to be a strong natural antivirus medicine. Also, elderberry capsules and zinc are supposed to help.

[IJ Reilly]

Chicken soup.

It couldn't hurt.

[Xfujinon]

Cold-eze are effective if started immediately upon presentation of symptoms. Do not take them within one hour of eating. Don't take multi-vitamins while taking them.

Push clear fluids, as much as you can handle. Get 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep. The next day, continue to push fluids.

My colds seem to go away quicker with this strategy than they did in the past.

Good luck!

[MacBook-Gal]

Taking a lot of vitamin C can help too.

[ErikCLDR]

Lots of hot drinks and hot showers really clear out the mucus. Mucinex works pretty well but takes 2-3 days to really start working.

Time is what really makes it go away.

[biturbomunkie]

i.) drink loads of water
ii.) sleep at least 8 hrs
iii.) eat well
iv.) keep yourself warm

while taking vitamin C may reduce the chances of getting a cold, taking vitamin C supplement while you have already gotten a cold will most likely have no benefits at all.

[teleromeo]

drink some grog (glühwein, some recipe with hot wine and herbs)

[cycocelica]

I drink lots and lots of green tea.

But I hear beer kills everything, so give that a try.

[flyfish29]

BEHOLD!!!!

The only known "cure" for the common cold

I think Zicam works pretty well. I have not had a full on cold in ages...one will start and I will take it and the symptoms go away pretty quickly. Not immediate by any means, but the symptoms never get horrible like they used to with regular colds and such.

[puckhead193]

I drink lots and lots of green tea.

But I hear beer kills everything, so give that a try.

if not you'll at least feel better for a little bit until the next morning b/c your hungover :p

[JNB]

Colds are virus-based, so there's no "cure", really. Treat them symptomatically and boost your system with stuff that will help the immune system do it's job. Lots of Vitamin C, in nearly any form. Megadoses of C from the local grocery/drugstore are perfectly good, 1000 mg a couple times a day. Make sure you push clear fluids, too, you'll pee out the excess. Emergen-C and Zicam are both efficacious. Chicken soup actually has been proven to have many beneficial effects, but you really need homemade, Campbell's is just salty crap.

Just make yourself feel better using whatever works, whether it's home remedies or OTC stuff. Anything that makes you comfy and rest well helps your body concentrate on the important part.

And thank the stars that you're not my age yet (I'm assuming), even "mild" colds turn into 5-day nightmares.

[klymr]

BEHOLD!!!!

The only known "cure" for the common cold
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/resources/images/health-fitness/zicam-1-07/overview/0107_cong_ov1.jpg

That stuff can be potentially dangerous! I've seen reports of people that have used it only to feel a burning sensation in their nose resulting in a complete loss of the sense of smell. Plus it's impossible to "cure" a cold.

The best thing to do is practice preventative methods, but we all know that's not possible. I recently got a cold and checked out a few websites for remedies. They all stated that zinc, whether in lozenge (cold-eeze ;)) or tablet form, all help reduce duration of the said cold. I went and bought a jar of zinc tablets (beware, they may make you nauseous) and took one while eating chicken noodle soup and drinking plenty of liquids. Seriously, not even two days later I had no signs or symptoms of the cold left. It's the fastest I've ever gotten over a cold.

Also, while I was doing that research, one site said that the over the counter cold medicines only make things worse in the long run. They mask the symptoms and after a few days of feeling good you get used to them and the symptoms surface only to be worse.

The list of things I found to help me were:
1. Chicken noodle soup. "First, it acts as an anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the movement of neutrophils — immune system cells that participate in the body's inflammatory response. Second, it temporarily speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose, helping relieve congestion and limiting the amount of time viruses are in contact with the nose lining." The article I'm quoting (link posted at the end of my post) suggests that homemade has the same benefits as canned/store bought soup. There aren't many canned soups that don't provide the benefits listed.

2. Plenty of sleep!

3. Plenty of liquids!

4. Zinc

Here is a link to a page that I found, where I got a lot of this information. Check it out. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-remedies/ID00036

[Flyer0815]

Lots of teachers and administrators swear by Airborne... like myself... I take it every time I get sick, and as psychosomatic as it may be, I truly feel my colds are much shorter in length than if I take nothing.

[SamIchi]

This year I started taking echinacea and daily vitamins everyday when winter kicked in. I also made sure I had foods with antioxidants. I got sick 2 times but were very light compared to the episodes of yesteryear. There is no cure after getting the virus but usually keeping the throat and my nose moist helps. Hot showers and hot tea. Sleeping as much as you can.

Past years of me getting sick resulted in weeks of a cough and mucus that seems to neve go away, but this year it wasn't bad. Maybe I just didn't get it bad or it was the methods.

One more thing, taking a bunch of Vit C after getting sick doesn't help, and when building up your immunity with Vit C, your body can only process so much of it. No need to intake too much of it, but it won't hurt you either.

[GSMiller]

BEHOLD!!!!

The only known "cure" for the common cold
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/resources/images/health-fitness/zicam-1-07/overview/0107_cong_ov1.jpg

Love Zicam.

[Whorehay]

I take Vitamin C and drink lots of water. I'm doing that right now.

[viccles]

I have a cold too :( Just take panadol and suck on a lozenger thats about it. Still doing my cycle classes at the gym (with great difficulty) but I'm sure it will pass!

[QuarterSwede]

I also take Juice Plus and have yet to get sick this season (didn't take it last year) and have a lot more energy. I swear that stuff is an all-natural miracle drug.

If by chance I do get sick I drink lots and lots of fluids (water is best) to flush it out. You may have to pee every hour but at least you'll shorten your cold by a few days. I also take Mucinex and Sudafed (not that PE garbage) since if I do get sick it's always a sinus infection. I've only actually had the flu once in my life.

[EricNau]

...vitamin C...
...<Zicam>...
...Airborne...
I really do hate to be a party-pooper, there is absolutely no scientific evidence to suggest that any of the treatments mentioned above, or anything else for that matter, can shorten, reduce, or otherwise decrease the affects of a cold. They're nothing more than a scam.

Colds are just like hangovers really, time is the only cure.

[true777]

Vitamin C, Echinacea, and Zinc supplements, lots of fluids, no alcohol, and lots of rest and sleep. Over-the counter multi-symptom remedies work very well -- they should ideally have nasal decongestant, antihistamine, cough suppressant, and pain killer/fever reducer. Those that have all of those usually make you feel quite a bit better.

I do feel that with all these remedies, as well as healthy foods and much rest, you can cut the time of a cold from 10+ days to about 5 days.

[MacBookJoePro]

Yea. Vita C. Keep body temp up to help fight the virus. Warm liquids no dairy things that can clog your throat. i really hate that.

-JoE

[biturbomunkie]

I really do hate to be a party-pooper, there is absolutely no scientific evidence to suggest that any of the treatments mentioned above, or anything else for that matter, can shorten, reduce, or otherwise decrease the affects of a cold. They're nothing more than a scam.


gee, thanks for being a party-pooper. but i doubt that will stop anyone from recommending vitamin C as a remedy.

while i wouldn't call it a scam, i agree that vitamin C will most likely have no benefits (especially when one has already caught a cold) at all unless that person is very active (i.e. athletes).

[protozoa]

Obviously, it's only the symptoms that you can really treat. But I've always had good luck with Theraflu (http://www.theraflu.com/index.shtml) (the hot liquid version)

[miniConvert]

My current fix is Blackcurrant Lemsip. It's so incredibly nice, I was almost glad when my cold hit on Tuesday night!
http://www.assetchemist.co.uk/images/uploads/lem%20max.bmp

[protozoa]

I really do hate to be a party-pooper, there is absolutely no scientific evidence to suggest that any of the treatments mentioned above, or anything else for that matter, can shorten, reduce, or otherwise decrease the affects of a cold. They're nothing more than a scam.

Colds are just like hangovers really, time is the only cure.

The word in your quote that I bolded throws a monkey wrench into your post.

No... you can't cure a cold; but you can temporarily find relief from symptoms. What you're saying is that Acetaminophen doesn't relieve aches, or that Diphenhydramine doesn't function as an antihistamine (for instance)... and that's just plain incorrect.

[tsincaat]

Don't consume much sugar, if any. It temporarily weakens your immune system which you don't want.

Sleep and Fluids are also good tips.

[ctt1wbw]

TheraFlu. Works great.:)

Don't worry, bongoloser. I'm not trolling. I've actually taken Theraflu. So shut up and get back to third period English.

[Lunja]

The moment I feel a cold coming on, I make a chili! Add as much Tabasco as you can handle, wrap your self up in a blanket and sweat it out.

Works every time ;)

[Prof.]

I really do hate to be a party-pooper, there is absolutely no scientific evidence to suggest that any of the treatments mentioned above, or anything else for that matter, can shorten, reduce, or otherwise decrease the affects of a cold. They're nothing more than a scam.

Colds are just like hangovers really, time is the only cure.
I agree with you on most things but I have to disagree with you on this one. I use Zicam whenever I feel a cold coming on and the cold never lasts more than 36 hours. I, and my entire family, swear by it. Zicam doesn't cure the common cold, it merely helps with the symptoms.

[Stardotboy]

The best things to do to fight a cold are to drink plenty of water and to get lots of sleep. There are a million so-called 'remedies' out there to help cure or relieve the symptoms of colds, but as far as I can tell they're all a waste of money.

I recently waited out in the cold weather for a few hours and this resulted in me getting a cold

Also the idea that you can catch the virus by simply standing outside in the cold is a myth.

[ntrigue]

FWIW you DO NOT get a 'cold' from being cold. Colds are increasingly popular in the cold seasons because people spend more time indoors and in closer proximity to others.

Airborne works magic ONLY when you have the first inkling of a cold. Same goes for Vitamin C; increases the mucous to push out any germs but once the cold has come it actually just makes you more miserable (snot-runny nose-phlegm). Avoid dairy products as well.

[iBlue]

It's a virus, nothing can be done but deal with the symptoms and wait it out.
But I still swear by hot drinks and hot sex. :D (no really, I think other than the power of distraction, maybe the sweating helps or something) better have a real loving partner though because sniffling while going at it (while funny) is just best left to the pros. :p

</little perv>

[Stardotboy]

But I still swear by hot drinks and hot sex. :D (no really, I think other than the power of distraction, maybe the sweating helps or something) better have a real loving partner though because sniffling while going at it (while funny) is just best left to the pros. :p
Plus you get the added benefit of spreading your germs to someone else, so they can't keep telling you to 'pull yourself together' and 'stop being so lazy' :D

[iBlue]

Plus you get the added benefit of spreading your germs to someone else, so they can't keep telling you to 'pull yourself together' and 'stop being so lazy' :D
oh it's hopeless anyway, when you live with someone in a small flat, they're definitely catching whatever you've got.

[EricNau]

The word in your quote that I bolded throws a monkey wrench into your post.

No... you can't cure a cold; but you can temporarily find relief from symptoms. What you're saying is that Acetaminophen doesn't relieve aches, or that Diphenhydramine doesn't function as an antihistamine (for instance)... and that's just plain incorrect.
Yes, looking back I'll admit it was poor wording. You're very correct in that one can take medicines that temporarily relieve some symptoms; however, no product has been proven to shorten or reduce the severity of a cold. (That better?) :)

[protozoa]

Yes, looking back I'll admit it was poor wording. You're very correct in that one can take medicines that temporarily relieve some symptoms; however, no product has been proven to shorten or reduce the severity of a cold. (That better?) :)

Yes, thanks. :D

I didn't mean to nit pick, but it was just incorrect info. Most people do believe the myth that you can cure a cold; so I understand the point you were trying to make.

Unfortunately, there aren't any cold symptom meds that really make you feel normal. They might clear up congestion, but you have to put up with feeling exhausted or dizzy.

Also, I suppose someone could argue that while it may not be possible to shorten a cold, it may very well be possible to extend a cold. I don't know if any studies have been done, but I would think that failure to get enough rest, food, and liquids could hamper a normal immune system to the point that it would take longer to defeat the pathogen. I don't know enough about immunological memory to debate the factors that impact on the efficiency of T cells and such. Is there a doctor in the house?

[cycocelica]

I recently waited out in the cold weather for a few hours and this resulted in me getting a cold

Just to clear something up, you cannot get a cold from physically being cold. Just a heads up.

[Ish]

Take echinacea and wait seven to ten days.

I took echinacea and my all around my eyes swelled up and my eyes went red. That was about three or four weeks ago and they're still not right. Wish I'd just had one tablet and waited to see if anything would happen.

[::Lisa::]

There is no cure. A cold is a virus and the likely cause is being passed on. Just get plenty of rest, take some vitamin C and some paracetamol (and/or ibuprofen, you can take both together if really bad or feverish) and possibly some decongestant if you have a blocked nose. Most other things on the market are gimmicks.

Prevention is better than cure. The cold virus is mainly passed around by hands and then subconsciously touching your mouth, nose, eyes etc. So wash your hands very often. i.e. pens being passed around etc. I invest in gel hand wash. The type that doesn't need water.

[nhcowboy1]

I take Oil of Oregano for colds and flu. You'll find it in a health food store. The one I have is made by a company called Source Naturals. You just take a few drops a couple of times a day. It'll either kill you or cure you. You will want to have a mirror handy the first time you take it. The look on your face when that first drop hits your tongue will be . . . well . . . interesting!

I also use Moducare, made by a company in Ontario, Canada. It's an immune booster. Not inexpensive, but quite effective.

[bosxe]

I am on the road a lot, in a van of with about 6 or so other people, often during the winter aka "cold season"; and I very rarely get colds.

My advice is to take vitamins. I take a daily Multi-Vitamin, Vitamin C, and Zinc. And keep clean!

[MattG]

Take echinacea and wait seven to ten days.
Or take vitamin C and wait seven to ten days.
Or drink a lot of water and wait seven to ten days.
Or have chicken soup and wait seven to ten days.
Or hop around on one foot and wait seven to ten days.
...you get the idea.

I think this pretty much sums it up.

I've tried it all. My girlfriend is sold on the Zicam and the Airborn, and none of it ever seems to work for me. A couple weeks ago, the guy I share an office with was getting a cold, so I figured I'd be proactive. I went right out to Walgreens, bought some Airborne and some hand sanitizer, started using it al immediately before I started getting any symptoms. Then, of course, when I did start getting symptoms, I continued taking the Airborne along with Zicam. My cold still took a week to go away, and today is the first day that I haven't been clearing my throat, and the drip in the back of my throat is finally gone.