How To Ease Your Cold Symptoms Without Drugs

Suppose you have a cold, but don't feel like running out to the store to get medicine for it. Or, suppose you take prescriptions that don't mix well with cold medicine. Or, suppose you haven't found a cold remedy that works without bad side effects. If you're in this position, you might think that you just have to suffer through a cold. Well, think again! While there is no cure for the common cold, there are ways you can lessen the suffering without drugs or artificial chemicals. Here are a few home remedies for your cold symptoms.

Instead of using nose spray to unclog your stuffy nose, use saline instead. Mix ¼ teaspoon baking soda and ¼ teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Fill a bulb syringe (or the Neti pots or nasal douches from the pharmacy) and squirt the salt water mixture into each nostril about three times. You'll want to plug one nostril while irrigating the other. Salt water helps break up the mucus; if you've ever had your nose run while swimming in the ocean, that's why. Next time you go to the store, stop by the pharmacy and pick up one of the many brands of saline nose spray. There is also a saline-menthol wash called Alkalol that does wonders in clearing clogged sinuses. Most pharmacies carry it, and it usually only costs a few dollars.

While we're talking about salt water, you can also use it as a gargle to help soothe a sore throat. Use the same mixture mentioned above, but leave out the baking soda.

Another natural substance that can help with a cold is steam. The steam from a long, hot shower can loosen mucus common with colds. You could also use a humidifier or lean over a bowl of hot water with a towel draped over your head. Of course, the steam from Mom's chicken soup can help too!Another advantage of steam is that it adds moisture; colds thrive in dry conditions, so having a bit of moisture in the air can help.

As for foods, anything with a lot of Vitamin C is good. If orange juice is too much for your sore throat, foods such as peaches, strawberries, tomatoes and broccoli are also rich in Vitamin C. Also, tea or other hot liquids help to keep nasal passages moist. Many people use tea in their honey because honey helps soothe sore throats. The fact that it tastes great makes it all the more helpful!

Finally, the advice your mom gave you still holds true. Rest, stay warm and drink plenty of fluids. You may want to avoid caffeinated beverages, though, because the caffeine can have a diuretic, dehydrating effect. Sleep with your head elevated. Also, keep a positive attitude. It's not easy to be positive when you feel awful, but an 'I can beat this cold' attitude is strangely helpful. There's still no consensus among doctors about how the mind can affect the body, but a good attitude certainly couldn't hurt.

Everything You Need To Know About Allergy Symptoms

How do you know it’s not a cold you are beginning to get? Basically, you will know because an allergy comes on less intense than a cold. And, you can just feel a cold cropping up on you as the day goes on. A cold is a bit more sporadic and unpredictable. A cold plays out from sneezing, sore throat to coughing. With allergies, you can be sure, that something is setting them off. It could be that high pollen count, a smell in the air, or even dust after you have finished cleaning up around your home. The allergy caused runny nose is just plain annoying and often feels like someone turned a faucet on, but it’s unfortunately your nose with no real shut off valve to save the day for you. The allergy symptoms have begun for you.

If you cannot stop your allergy symptoms like a runny nose, headache, watery eyes, sneezing, etc. on your own, you must see a doctor. There is no reason to live like this when help is easily available for your allergy symptoms. Do not suffer everyday and lower your quality of life due to your seasonal discomfort. There are nasal sprays that can be used twice a day and will provide you with great allergy relief. For that runny nose that just won’t stop, there are immediate relief, melt on your tongue tablets, that work within 15 minutes of taking them providing you with almost immediate allergy symptom relief. Additionally, doctors can prescribe a daily pill for the allergy sufferer to take each day during the high pollen seasons in your area.

Another thought is to realize that what you do each day and where you go can make your allergy symptoms worse. You definitely would not want to go out into the woods to go camping on a day that your nose will not stop running. If you go anyway, without taking any allergy medicine, you will not have a good day because your allergy symptoms will take a turn for the worse and you will be truly miserable. Some form of relief treatment can come by shots, or medications from testing done by your allergist. Another type of over the counter medicine is one that can help with environment allergies such as symptoms from mold or dust. Another option is steering clear of types of food that contain gluten, milk, a peanut or shellfish ingredient and wheat ones if you find they cause any symptoms.

This is why it is very important to think about where you go and what you are doing during allergy seasons. It is best to attempt to prevent the onset of your allergy symptoms if you can. You can simply equate it to not eating strawberries because you are allergic and will get hives, same thing, only you will surely suffer the consequences of your actions. Lastly, if you are a severe allergy sufferer, you will most probably need to see a specialist and possibly get weekly shots to keep your allergies in check.