Cold & Cough Information

During cold and flu season, it’s normal to see commercials touting the latest cold and flu remedies on TV that claim to stop your suffering in their tracks. Most of these over the counter remedies treat the symptoms, but don’t lessen the duration of a cold. Also, many of these medications can make you drowsy or feel drugged.
Home cold and flu remedies are more popular than ever and are an alternative to those who don’t want to subject themselves to medicines with lots of mysterious ingredients. While there is no cure for the common cold or flu, there are several popular home remedies that can help lessen their duration and effects on your body.
Chicken Soup
Eating a bowl of savory chicken soup has long been one of the most popular home cold and flu remedies around. This old fashioned remedy has really stood the test of time. Chicken soup was prescribed for colds as far back as ancient Egyptian times. This remedy has probably survived so long because it does contains protein, which the body needs to get better, plus, it goes down easy and is warm and comforting. Recent research has shown that chicken soup does have anti-inflammatory nutrients. So, go ahead and make yourself a nice, warm bowl of chicken soup.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is prized for its immune boosting benefits to the body. When you get a cold or the flu, the virus tends to attack your healthy blood cells, which then have fight back - this makes you tired and drains you of energy. When you drink orange juice or any other citrus juice packed with vitamin C, you are literally giving your healthy blood cells a boost of power to repel those nasty cold germs. Many people choose to take the tablet form of vitamin C. Either way, vitamin C is one of the most powerful home remedies you can take to fight off a cold.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a popular herbal remedy that is used to lessen the duration of a cold. You can find Echinacea in capsule form, in lozenges or as an alcohol based tincture. While Echinacea does have curative benefits, its effect in cold fighting often has mixed results. Alcohol based Echinacea tinctures can last for several years, while the dry leaves found in many pills and capsules can lose their effectiveness over time. Also, the quality of the Echinacea varies greatly due to the nature of the plant. The upper part of the plant contains most of the benefits, while the lower part has little therapeutic benefit.
Spicy Food
Spicy foods that contain garlic, onions and cayenne pepper can help you recover quicker from a cold. These three foods contain powerful antioxidants and immune system compounds that will aid your body in expelling the virus. Eating a bowl of chili for lunch or dinner is a great way to eat your way to feeling better in no time.
Vaporizers and Personal Steamers
Hot steam rising up through your nasal passages and into your sinuses and lungs is a great way to clear congestion out of your system. One of the things that makes having a cold so miserable is that your nose is clogged and your chest if filled with gunk. Vaporizers and personal steamers work by adding water to a base and then heating it up until it becomes steam. You breathe in the steam and it clears your system, allowing you to rest easier.
Steam Bath
Soaking in a nice, hot bath is relaxing anytime, but when you have a cold the steam rising up from the tub can have a soothing effect on your tired body. Steam is great for breaking up the congestion that clogs your sinuses and chest. To create an aromatherapy experience, add a few drops of peppermint oil or camphor oil to the hot water. Please do not use this remedy for babies and toddlers, as it may cause them injury.
Hot Toddy
Hot toddies are one of the long time favorite cold and flu remedies. Many people believe that curling up on the couch (or in a favorite chair) and drinking a hot toddy is a good way to fight off a cold or flu, but in fact, there is little evidence that this drink has any curative benefits.
A hot toddy is made with hot water, or tea, lemon juice, sugar or honey and either rum, brandy, or whiskey. While delicious, the American Lung Association cautions that drinking alcohol while sick with a cold will lead to dehydration, which can make a cold last longer. However, if you can’t sleep and don’t want to take an over the counter cold medication, drinking a hot toddy with alcohol will send you into a nice slumber.

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Most doctors allow their patients to exercise when they have a cold, as long as they don’t have a fever and their muscles don’t hurt when they exercise. However, it’s probably better to stop exercising altogether when you have an infection. You risk injury if you exercise when your muscles hurt at rest or when you start to exercise. When muscles are damaged, they release enzymes from their cells into the bloodstream and they fill with blood from broken blood vessels. One study reported markedly increased muscle damage during relatively minor exercise during an infection, with blood tests demonstrating increases in muscle enzymes and ultrasound tests demonstrating hemorrhage into the muscles.
You also should not exercise when you have a high fever. When you exercise, your heart has to pump blood to your muscles to supply them with oxygen. It also has to pump blood from your muscles to your skin where the heat is dissipated. When you have a fever, your heart has to work extra hard to get rid of extra heat. Furthermore, some viruses that infect your nose and throat can also infect your heart muscle. The combination of the extra work and an infected heart muscle could cause irregular heart beats. You won’t lose much conditioning unless you take off for more than a week.
Do you think you will get better faster by staying in bed for a day or two or by going about your normal daily activities? A huge review of the medical literature from 1966 to 1999 published in the British medical journal Lancet, shows that there is no evidence that bed rest helps you to heal faster from any medical condition. They found only 39 studies testing whether bed rest benefited any medical condition. Twenty-four studies showed that bed rest was of little or no benefit in preventing side effects of medical procedures such as spinal anesthesia, spinal fluid withdrawal, and multiple x ray procedures. Fifteen studies showed no benefit in treating medical conditions such as low back pain, spontaneous labor, and high blood pressure during pregnancy, uncomplicated heart attacks, rheumatoid arthritis or infectious hepatitis.
During World War II, American soldiers were drafted and sent to do their basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center before they were sent to fight in Europe. A major epidemic of flu occurred affecting almost all the troops. Half of the soldiers were kept in bed, while the other half stayed in the vigorous exercise of basic training. Both groups required the same amount of time to recover, although those forced to undergo the rigorous demands of preparing for war complained more.
The next time you feel sick, stay in bed if you like, but it probably won’t help you heal faster.

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So, in many places here in the U.S., including where I reside here in Northeastern Ohio, it’s the dead of winter, and that means more than just blustery cold days, snow and ice. It means the cold and flu season is upon us, full boar, and it’s up to us and our immune systems to keep the nasty bugs at bay.
In an interesting discovery recently reported in the news, it was uncovered that the reason for the cold winter months being the worst time for colds and flu viruses to spread is that these respiratory and stomach/digestive viruses actually have a protective coating on them that works best in the cold.
This protective coating that stays intact in the cold, and sort of “melts away” in the heat may explain why viruses are better able to stay intact and infect more people during colder months, and when people tend to stay indoors and spread germs more readily.
A partial explanation may also be the sun’s heat and radiation have a destructive effect on this coating, and therefore may destroy them before they can enter bodies and infect the respiratory and digestive tracts of humans.
But can we really increase our odds of NOT getting colds and flu during the season when these germs are most likely to come in contact with us? Well, yes, there are plenty of ways for us to increase our immunity and bone up our defenses against their infiltration.
One surefire way to increase immunity is to be sure you are eating properly. Eating a diet high in fat and sugar can actually help to facilitate the weakening of the immune system by promoting inflammation of cells and making it easier for viruses to disrupt our normal flow of activity within the body.
On of my favorite ways to stay healthy is by increasing my antioxidant intake, by eating more fruits like blueberries, raspberries, and a berry called acai, which is just now being touted as a miracle fruit both for it’s high antioxidant count as well as it’s natural source of omega 3 fatty acids.
Drinking juices that are derived from citrus fruits like oranges and lemons is also a good way to help boost the immune system. You can also perhaps choose to include an immune boosting supplement such as Echinacea, which many believe enhances the body’s natural capabilities in fighting off germs and viruses such as the cold and flu that so often have the opportunity to infect us in the winter.
Many people, including myself, swear by vitamin C as an excellent immune system booster, and consider a part of their daily diet. Guess what, if you believe that anything works, chances are it does, regardless of it’s chemical interaction in the body, because the mind is a very powerful thing when it wants to be, and has a huge connection to our actual physical health.
Some also swear by ACV, or Apple Cider Vinegar, in it’s pure form, because of something that is found in the organic version of the product called “the mother” which is a substance found in ACV that may have multiple benefits to human health, including immune system enhancement, weight loss, and many other health uses. I once heard someone say that they take a couple teaspoons of organic ACV every day and they never get sick. It’s something to think about!
Exercise, believe it or not, is a huge immune system booster, and it has been scientifically proven that active people get sick much less when compared with sedentary people. This is starting to sound like a weight loss article now, but there is a huge connection between exercise and wellness, not just exercise and staying in a size 6 pair of jeans, and for the guys, battling bulging bellies.
It may be in part because exercise increases the amount of feel good chemicals in the brain, called endorphins, and since our bodies are very in tune with how our minds are doing, and depression is linked with actual physical illness many times, this explains why exercise not only fends off depression, but also fends off illness.
A common sense approach to avoiding catching these viruses in the first place is to make sure you minimize your contact with things that many other hands have touched, such as banisters on stairs in public places, door knobs in public places, and especially if you’re in a place where there have been a lot of children, be careful what you touch.
Also, be sure to wash your hands fairly often, and if you’d like you can even keep a bottle of hand sanitizer close by in case you can’t wash your hands after touching some common area in a public place.
Just taking a few extra precautions in the winter months that are called “cold and flu season”, can help ensure that you are both minimally exposed and adequately prepared to handle any “foreign invasions” to your immune system.

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It’s the season, or should we say this is not only seasonal, but could occur anytime of the year. Perhaps it doesn’t have to happen at all. Who has the time for it? Wellness Formula by Source Naturals, has every herb to enhance the body’s Healing Powers every day. We are more aware in these times of how to take care of ourselves, but even so the stress of modern day living takes it’s toll. Standing at guard is the centuries old Dr. Christopher’s Super Garlic Immune Formula, especially for those that can’t shake off the Cold and Flu and have re-occurring bouts. Since it comes in liquid, just put some in juice. A Sensational Remedy!
Now how about those that want to avoid garlic altogether. Planetary Formulas has Yin Chiao Classic, written up in the Chinese Materia Medica, unmatched with all those Chinese Herbs, you just may not come down with anything. It is also known to help with allergies. Oh you’ve heard about Snake Oil? In the covered wagon days in the 1800’s, the so-called medicine of that time, the one they claimed cures everything, was in a brown liquid bottle. Well known today as Echinacea and Goldenseal, it could be your first line of defense. Zand has the Insure Herbal in Orange and Banana flavor for the little ones. For more prevention and protection of our Immune System, and to fight off those bugs, Alpha CF by Boericke & Tafel is a serious Cold & Flu, Congestion Formula for all those miserable symptoms. Warding off and nipping them in the bud, before it starts to get cha is the very famous Oscillococcinum by Boiron Homeopathics, originally from France. Coughing also could be an issue here. For calming that cough which could lead to Bronchial conditions, Now Foods has Bronchial Support in Tincture, dealing with this on an ongoing basis. Biggest secret in Las Vegas is Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup by Planetary Formulas, also known as Rolling Thunder for those Horrendous Chest Coughs. Wild Cherry Throat Drops are Sugar Free and soothes the Throat. Chinese Tonic Herbs known as Astragalus Jade Screen by Planetary Formulas protect from Cold Wind, tones the body (wei) and (chi) immune defense, energize and warms and can be taken safely year round, particularly for those with weakness. A professional patented Silver-by-Silver Biotics in 10 PPM. You’ve heard of Silver? Not that kind! or 10 PPM. What does that mean? The smaller the silver particles are, the better absorption into your bloodstream. Silver is known since the 17th Century as a natural antibiotic that works with 650 conditions. Also Source Naturals has a Colloidal Silver Spray for Sore Throats for Red Stuffy Noses and dealing with Allergies and Sinus and Dust. Bioforce USA has Pollinosan Nasal Spray, and they also have a Sinna Nasal Spray for Colds & Flu.
Now we address the Ears. Source Naturals has an Earache Formula and Clear Products has the Stash Oz’s (Master Chinese Herbologist) Formula called Clear Sinus & Ear with a blend of Chinese Herbs and Homeopathics. Children can also take this in 1/2 adult dosage.
Here we will incorporate a few more suggestions such as Nutrition Now’s Zinc Lozenges in Raspberry and Orange, not yucky tasting. A Tea by Longjiang river Health called Luo Han Kuo (LHK) 20 Sachets per pack, which has been used in the Orient as an ingredient in soups or stews or beverages for Respiratory, Lung, congestion and other Discomforts. Keeping Our Defenses Up, Because There is A Better Way!

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Colds and flu are a common disease that can be inflicted to anyone who has a weak immune system. Weak immune system is probably caused by too much stress or other illnesses or through poor diet. Colds and flu are triggered by some allergens such as dust and pollutants and viruses. Colds are characterized by sneezing, blocked-up nose, runny nose, coughs and headache whereas flu shows additional symptoms of rapidly rising fever, chills, and body and muscle aches.
Colds and flu are communicable and therefore can be passed from one person to another. The viruses are transmitted by droplets from coughs or sneezes. These droplets are inhaled directly when they are floated in the air. They can also transmit through hand contact. The viruses, which can last for a few hours, are introduced to the nasal passages when the hand touches the nose or eyes.
Sufferers of colds and flu develop immunity to the virus encountered. However, this immunity offers limited protection as there are large number of different colds and flu viruses. The best way to prevent inflicted by someone with colds and flu is avoid getting contact with the existing sufferers. Wash hand regularly and thoroughly with anti-bacteria soap and avoid touching the face with hands.
Perhaps by avoiding the source of viruses, you could protect yourselves from being infected. However if in any cases you catch a colds and flu, you need a strong immune system to fight off the virus. Consuming plenty of leafy greens, sweet potatoes, Brazil nuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, tuna and broccoli can strengthen your immune system.
Vitamin C and Zinc can prevent colds and flu. The duration and severity of colds and flu may be lessened by increasing intake of vitamin C up to 500mg daily for as long as the cold last. It will be easier to take supplement tablets than to consume 500mg of vitamin from food daily. However, too much vitamin C can cause stomach upsets, diarrhea, kidney stones and other problems.
Water and other citrus-based drinks will help in decongesting phlegm and mucus formations and hence minimizing the effect of colds. Drop few drops of thyme oil and eucalyptus oil in boiling water and inhale the stream. This can also have the same effect.
Ginger and chilies are good stimulant spices that help to fight off viruses. You can use them fresh in your cooking. You can also include plenty of fresh garlic in your diet as garlic is a natural anti-bacterial. Avoid eating foods rich in saturated fats such as chocolates and other dairy products as they tend to form more mucus that may develop into sinusitis. Low-nutrient foods, alcohol and smoking should also be avoided.
Colds and flu sufferers should get plenty of rest and drink lots of liquid. However, it is necessary to take medications to relief symptoms such as fever or muscle ache associated with the colds and flu. So, it is crucial that you see your physician for proper treatment.

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