How to get rid of a cold

Colds can be difficult to treat and are usually left to run their course. Antibiotics are not effective since viruses rather than bacteria cause colds. Many natural remedies for a cold have been devised through trial and error over the years. Some have been passed down through generations. Here is a look at some of the more popular remedies to ward off and alleviate the symptoms of a cold.

Garlic

Garlic is a potent anti-viral, so it often finds a place in natural remedies for a cold. You can buy garlic supplements at the health food store or just grab a clove from your cupboard. It is thought that allicin in garlic is what kills viruses. Allicin is the same thing that makes garlic hot and gives your breath a bad smell. Cooking may destroy some of it, so to get the most benefits, it is recommended to eat garlic raw. Chop it into small pieces first so more of its surface is exposed to air. Wait about ten minutes before eating. This is said to increase its potency. Keep in mind eating raw garlic may upset your stomach and if you eat too much of it, it may lower your blood pressure and make you feel lightheaded.

Hot Sauce Tea

Believe it or not, hot sauce, or cayenne powder may help with cold symptoms. It can help with congestion, coughing, and sore throats. It is best to make a tea by mixing tomato juice with hot sauce. Add crushed garlic for its anti-viral qualities and you will have a powerful tea to help you kick your cold. The amount of hot sauce you use will be determined by your tolerance. If you don’t normally eat spicy foods, only use a small amount or it will be too hot to drink.

Immune Boosters

One of the best natural remedies for a cold is to keep your immune system in peak performance. By eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise and adequate sleep, you may be able to ward off colds or recover from them sooner.

How long is a cold contagious? Are you wondering if the common cold is contagious? The answer is yes, it is. While a cold can last for 7-14 days, a person is usually the most contagious when they are the most sick, that being from day two to day four of their cold. Is a cold contagious only during those few days? Unfortunately the answer is no.

When is a cold contagious? A person who has contracted a cold virus can be contagious for two to three days before he shows any symptoms and for two to three days after his symptoms end. That means a person with a typical cold could potentially be contagious for two weeks.

How is a cold contagious? It is spread in two ways. One is by touching a surface that has cold germs on it and the other is by inhaling germs that are suspended in the air after a sneeze or cough.

If you have a cold, keep in mind, you are your most contagious during day two to four when you feel the worst, so try to minimize your contact with others during that time, especially young children, the ill, and the elderly. Also, cough into your elbow to keep germs off your hands, or use a napkin and throw it away immediately.

If others around you are sick and you are afraid they are contagious, be cautious of the things you touch. What they touch or cough or sneeze on could be infected. This includes their skin, doorknobs, toys, napkins, utensils, glasses, and countertops. Avoid putting your fingers in your mouth or around your face and wash your hands often. While the common cold is contagious, and it seems to spread quickly among families, workplaces, and schools, you can take steps to protect yourself and reduce its transmission by practicing good hygiene.

How to get rid of a cold with exercise

While some people believe that having a cold means spending a lot of time in bed, the fact is that light to moderate exercise can help you get over the cold a little faster. Exercise provides both physical and mental benefits that can stimulate the body’s natural defenses and make it easier to restore your good health. Here are some suggestions on how you can get rid of a cold with exercise.

Identify exercises that you can manage in spite of the symptoms. For many people, simple aerobic exercises are ideal. The combination of stretching and ongoing movement will help to increase your heart rate and increase blood flow throughout the body. This in turn helps to carry more nutrients to vital organs and increase the ability of your system to fight off the cold.

Along with aerobics, consider riding a stationery bike. Set up the bike so you can watch television or listen to music during the workout. There is no need to set any new speed records. Instead, focus on using the bike for at least thirty minutes, maintaining a reasonable pace. Like aerobics, the activity will help get the blood pumping and distribute nutrients and medication to better advantage.

Keep in mind that the key to learning how to get rid of a cold with exercise is to work out enough each day to generate the desired effects. While you will be tired after the exertion, you will also experience something of a mental or emotional sense of well being. This is due to the release of endorphins during the exercise. As a result, you will feel more in control and likely to not mind your symptoms quite as much.

When combined with rest, the right foods, and the proper blend of medicines, exercise will help you get over the cold faster and feel better while you are recuperating. If you have questions about how to get rid of a cold with exercise, talk with your physician. He or she can recommend exercises that are in line with the state of your health and likely to produce the best results.

What causes a cold ?

How many times were you told as a child to stay indoors because you might catch a cold? How frequently do parents bundle their kids up in oversized coats and boots out of fear that their little ones will catch colds from being out in the cold weather? While it is often believed that being out in the cold is one of the most common causes of a cold, this is a complete misconception. Being outdoors in the cold is actually not a factor in whether you get sick with a cold or not.

The most common causes of a cold are viruses that get inside the body and start growing. These viruses are spread from one person to another, and it doesn’t matter if you are indoors or outdoors. All it takes is someone with a cold virus to touch a door handle before you do, and you can come down with a cold.

Rhinoviruses are the most common viruses that spread the cold. These viruses get into the lining of your nose and start to reproduce. There are more than 100 rhinoviruses known today, and they are the most commonly spread viruses in the fall and spring. Fortunately, colds developing from rhinoviruses tend to be rather mild. They typically do not put your health at serious risk.

There are some other viruses that can lead to symptoms of a cold, but they are not as prevalent. A small percentage can lead to more serious respiratory symptoms that do put your health at greater risk. Fortunately, these viruses are not as common as rhinoviruses.

Now that you understand the most common causes of a cold, how do you protect yourself from getting a cold? Bundling up when you head out into cold weather may not help much, but you can wash your hands frequently and avoid shaking hands with others during the fall and spring. You can’t see the virus that spreads a cold, so you may want to open door handles with a cloth or tissue as well.