How to survive nasty colds – plus 3 sore throat remedies
How to survive nasty colds – plus 3 sore throat remedies
With the cooler months rapidly approaching, colds become more commonplace. Here are some ways to cope with the irritating Autumn cold.
How to survive nasty colds – plus 3 sore throat remedies
With the average adult expected to contract up to five colds each year, it’s essential to know how you can manage this unpleasant virus.
There are more than 200 types of common cold viruses, making it easy to see why most people catch at least one a year.
Colds become more common during the colder months because people tend to stay inside and in closer, more confined contact with each other.
They are easily spread through things like hand contact, coughing and sneezing and can result in a sore throat, headache, fever, swelling of the lymph glands and a runny nose which can last anywhere between a few days and a week.
So how can I manage colds?
Despite what some may think, medications such as antibiotics and cough medicines generally don’t have any effect on the common cold.
The best way to fight this annoying bug is with paracetamol, warming drinks (such as lemon and honey), nasal drops and throat lozenges.
Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to prevent catching the nasty common cold, but you can minimise the symptoms and longevity of this virus by preparing your body with a diet high in vegetables and fruits, ensuring your mineral intake is sufficient and remembering to exercise regularly.
Thankfully, despite cold symptoms being irritating and sometimes painful, with proper care there shouldn’t be much risk of larger danger for the average person.
3 ways to soothe a sore throat
- Gargle saltwater. A mixture of salt and warm water can help soothe a sore throat. Combine 1/4 tsp of salt with 1/2 cup warm water. Gargle the solution for a few seconds then spit out.
- Super-powered lemon honey. A hot lemon honey drink is often the go-to remedy for a sore throat. Add some grated ginger and a dash of apple cider vinegar for an extra health boost.
- Chamomile tea. Naturally calming, chamomile tea has long been used to treat a sore throat. It’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great home remedy. Drink it hot or inhale chamomile steam to ease the pain of a sore throat.
READ MORE
