If you are sick, try to feel better – even what you heard from your best friend’s neighbors (which is a lot of doctor by the way). But a few cold and flu medium are not as legitimate as they seem (yes, I look at them, echinacea). Here you can find out how you can know, which can absolutely help you to feel better, and which, well, not helpful.
1. Nasal sprays
If you are overloaded, you would like to address the source of your suffering (ie your nose). Intranasal steroid sprays can reduce the inflammation in their nose passages, moisture mucous membranes moist to limit irritation, and help to rinse the secretions to easily rinse the overload. Dr. Kathleen that allergy sufferers and immunologists recommend treating their symptoms with one of these sprays. You can even work better for symptom treatment than for the use of antibiotics if your cold or flu turns into a sinus infection (however, you want to switch off these antibiotics to the underlying infection).
2. Quiet
Your mother always told you that you should get a lot of rest if you are sick, right? It turns out that there is some science behind it; It notes that research has shown that a deep, relaxing sleep plays a factor for increasing the antibodies of your body, especially after vaccination.
However, this is not the only reason to catch some additional ZZZ during the cold and flu season: A literature overview of 2024 showed that chronic sleep disorders are associated with higher levels of inflammation and a subsequent risk of infection.
3 .. saline solution irrigation
Salt salt solution irrigation (such as with a NETI pot or an OTC cooking salt solving spray) is not necessarily as helpful as steroid nasal sprays, even though you feel better at short notice: “You only have limited evidence for you to support you. [but] The rinsing can provide symptomatic relief by clarifying your mucus, ”says that.
Since the only ingredient is water (salt or distilled, sterile water), these traces can be a good choice for people who avoid medication, even though that the cold and flu -affected, no saline solution can be rinsed out if they have pressure in their ears.
Another thing that is worth mentioning: Use distilled, sterile or previously cooked water in this Neti pot to avoid contamination according to the FDA. You can also use both steroid nasal sprays and salt irrigation methods together. Simply make sure that you hollow out the saline solution first, followed by steroid spray, says that.
4. Fluid intake
Your mother probably also told you that you should drink a lot of fluid when you are sick and she was not wrong either. “Cytokines, [a group of proteins] Those who help us to combat infections can also cause headaches, fever and pain, ”says that. [and reduce those symptoms]. “”
That it recommends that a variety of sources be obtained from a variety of sources, not only from water, but also from brewing, electrolyte drinks and fruit juices, but also avoid drinks that contain a lot of sugar as well as caffeine and alcohol, since they may feel worse.
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5. Deposits
Nasal injuries and oral deposits work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose feed, reducing blood flow and shrinking the nasal tissue.
Basically, they will be much easier to breathe through your nose – but there are a few restrictions: you cannot use a nose loss for more than three days without dependency and deterioration of the congestion after stopping. Oral deposits, on the other hand, are not necessarily dependent on dependency, but are not as effective and have some potential side effects, says Dass.
“[Be cautious] In oral swellers, because they can cause dizziness, excitement, increased heart rate or increased blood pressure, “says that.” You [also] Shouldn’t mix alcohol with an oral shelter. “
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6. Multi -symptom products
Instead of taking three or four different over-the-counter medication (OTC) to combat your variety of symptoms, take a multi-symptom product to simplify the process. According to this, these products usually have anti -inflammatory inflammation for the treatment of fever and minor pain. Antihistamines for nasal and throat symptoms; Develop the congestion; and Dextromethorphan to relieve a cough.
However, pay attention to the ingredients in every brand you use to ensure that you do not react with other medication that you are currently taking. Pay attention to everyone that contains diphenhydramine (also known as Benadryl), which can make it sleepy and be dangerous if you drive.
7. Steam removal
No smell is more synonymous for illness than that of Vapor -Rub, such as Vicks Vaporub, the topical gel that contains menthol and eucalyptus. But it cannot be denied that it acts as colds and flu, especially for night cough and congestion. “Vapor -Rubs does not help to heal colds or influenza,” says that, “but it can help to get a symptom relief.”
This is because the menthol in these friction makes your brain think, you breathe through an unstuffed nose, which is really useful when you try to get an urgently needed sleep. (But do not share your steam waste with very small children – that says that children under the age of 2 are not sure not to use it, not to use it safely.)
8. Steam and honey
For severe overloads that simply do not terminate, it recommends that your mucus to dilute your mucus more effectively with a number of different methods.
Honey can not only calm a sore throat, but also loosen the congestion, says that. Sitting in a steaming bathroom, while the hot watercourses can offer the same relief. If it is still difficult for you to separate traffic jams, an OTC medication can also promote mucus thinning.
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9. Pain reliever
If you have your cold or flu feverish and painful, an OTC pain reliever such as paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can make relief.
Most people can take the recommended doses (typically two pills) every four to six hours, but it finds that no one should exceed more than 4,000 milligrams (or eight tablets of extra strong plates) in 24-hour times. And that people with GI problems such as ulcers or heartburn should avoid ibuprofen.
10. Zinc
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), zinc (as with sucks, tablets or syrup are taken orally) can help reduce the cold duration if they are taken within 24 hours after the start of the symptoms.
However, this too is only suitable for oral forms of zinc – according to NCCIH, intranasal zinc (e.g. swabs and gels) were associated with serious side effects such as an irreversible loss of the sense of smell. It should also be noted that oral zinc is also associated with its side effects such as gastrointestinal disorders as well as drug interactions with antibiotics and penicillamine (a medication for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis).
Comfort to skip:
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C can definitely be part of a healthy diet, but where most people go wrong with this remedy, they wait until they actually feel sick to take it. “So that vitamin C is most effective, you have to take it every day,” says that. It has a cumulative effect that works better if it is used to keep them healthy (instead of making them magically better as soon as they sniff).
And do not fall in love with the idea that a high dose of vitamin C gives you a greater advantage: that says that the recommended dose is 200 milligrams daily (and it is best to get this from the food you eat). If you take more than 400 milligrams, you will become the advantages twice as high that you simply chip the surplus that your body does not use.
2. Probiotics
It seems as if many of our health problems can be associated with our courage, which is why the use of probiotics appears to be a reasonable strategy for any number of symptoms.
Although you may work for your digestive health, said that probiotics are not demonstrably accelerating the recovery of colds and influenza. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health agrees and explains that the evidence that combines probiotics with the health of the airways are weak and that some people can have gastrointestinal side effects during probiotic use.
3. Chili
The main component of spicy foods, capsaicin, has potential health benefits. However, high -quality clinical evidence does not confirm the advantages of recovery of colds and flu. If you eat too much, it could bother your stomach – not ideal if you are already stuffy.
4. Onion
Are you trying to put your foot in a sock filled with onion? Studies show that the antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti -inflammatory properties for the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma and also for diseases such as colds and flu are promising. However, studies are still required to narrow down certain forms of onions and their effectiveness. For example, scientists are not sure whether the cooking of onions hinders their effectiveness. Contamination of the onion or overdose is also possible. Stick to the usual onion consumption: currys and tuna salad.
This article by Sarah Bradley was originally published on www.womenshealthhmag.com.