The tough part about having a cold is that there is not a lot that doctors can do for you. The cold is viral, so antibiotics don't work. In most cases, you just have to wait it out and let your body fight off the illness. Thankfully, there are a few ways to make yourself feel better during this time.
1. Drink more water.
When you have a cold, your body uses a lot of extra water to produce mucous and to produce sweat when you have a fever. If you don't replenish your fluids, you will end up dehydrated, which will make you feel even worse. So, while you are sick, focus on getting in liquids in any way that you can. Sip juice, flavored water, or even hot tea. (Hot tea has the added benefit of opening up your sinuses.)
2. Breathe in steam.
Breathing in steam can help open your airways so your sinuses can drain. There are a few easy ways to inhale steam. You can turn on the shower, let steam fill the bathroom, and then step inside and breathe deep. You can also boil some water in a pan, put your head over the pan, and inhale for a few minutes. Blow your nose when you're finished -- you'll be surprised how much comes out.
3. Sleep in.
When you have a cold and don't feel great, you may struggle to fall asleep at night. Then, you end up sleep deprived, which makes you feel even worse. Try sleeping in to make sure your sleep needs are met. See if you can come into work an hour late or even take the day off completely.
4. Rub peppermint oil on your chest.
Peppermint oil is so soothing when you have a cold. It really opens up your airways and soothes soreness in your throat. A good way to use peppermint oil is to mix one to two drops with an equal amount of almond or olive oil. Rub this on your chest, and maybe even on your throat. Repeat as needed.
5. Sip honey and lemon juice.
If your throat is sore, make a mixture of half honey and half lemon juice. Heat it in the microwave to encourage the honey to melt into the lemon juice. Sip down a few spoonfuls. The lemon will help ease throat soreness, and the honey will coat your throat so mucous does not keep irritating it.
For more information on cold treatments, contact your local family doctor.
Is your knee stiff and painful every morning when you get out of bed? Perhaps, you sometimes feel a grinding sensation in your knee. If you can relate to this frustrating situation, you might be suffering from osteoarthritis. Thankfully, several treatments are available for this joint condition. Sometimes, physicians recommend patients battling osteoarthritis of the knee take a prescription painkiller. Doctors also often encourage patients to lose weight and start a low-impact exercise program. Swimming and walking are both great forms of low-impact exercise. On this blog, I hope you will discover how to effectively and quickly relieve the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. Enjoy!