With the fall season upon us, the cold and flu season is upon us too. While flu shots can help you deal with the worst of the flu symptoms, the common cold is another monster entirely. A healthy adult typically gets two or three colds a year, but that commonality doesn’t make the symptoms any easier to deal with. While colds can’t be cured, the symptoms can be treated, bringing you less discomfort and expediting the recovery process.
Read on for some tips on dealing with the common fall cold so you can get back to normal much faster.
Hydrate Yourself
Drinking lots of fluids can help flush out your system and deal with the additional symptom of a sore throat. Clear fluids such as water, broth, and juice are great ways to stay hydrated. Try to avoid drinks such as coffee or caffeinated beverages like soft drinks, as these can actually dehydrate you as you drink them. If drinking is difficult, you can try sucking on ice chips to help you increase hydration.
Get Plenty of Rest
The easiest way to deal with any illness is to get plenty of sleep. Resting will help your body focus on fighting the cold, giving your body the chance to heal itself. Try to get a minimum of eight hours of sleep every night to help with this, and avoid any difficult exercise for a few days to allow your body to get healthy again.
Try Over-the-Counter Medicine
OTC medicine, or over-the-counter medicine, can be something to try as well. Most colds don’t require you to go to a doctor and merely need to run their course, but some symptoms, such as congestion or a sore throat, might prove a little too much to handle. Luckily, many different OTC medicines exist to help combat the symptoms and get you back on your feet more quickly. Some will work better for you than others, so feel free to try out a few to find the one that works best for you. Make certain to follow the dosage guidelines on the packaging to avoid any problems that might arise from taking too much medicine in a short period of time or complications that could arise from overlapping medicines that could cause interactions.
Add Some Moisture To The Air
Phoenix has an especially dry climate, so adding moisture to the air can help those suffering from cold congestion. Using a humidifier is an easy way to get the moisture that will help ease congestion symptoms. Fill and clean the humidifier as per the instructions, and put it in a place that’s close to where you’re resting to help expedite recovery time.
In Conclusion
Remember, when it comes to the common fall cold, it largely just needs to run its course. While that can be annoying, the more you rest and keep your fluids up, the quicker you’ll feel better. Colds can last anywhere from a week to ten days, with some symptoms lasting into the recovery stage as well, so be patient and give your body the time it needs to heal.
If you’re in Gilbert, AZ, and are looking for an amazing team of board-certified physicians and professional healthcare providers, check out Mercy Grace Private Practice. Whether you have questions about the common fall cold or are worried that it might be progressing into something else, we have the answers and are ready to help you. Reach out to us today for more information.