How to heal faster

At this time of year it is very common to catch a cold. General malaise, headache or fever are just some of its symptoms. For this reason, we have put together a guide with the best remedies to say goodbye to a cold in one day.

Stay at home

In this way, you will not only heal faster, but you will also avoid infecting others. In case of having any chronic cardiorespiratory disease (like COPD) it is even more important.

Taking a hot shower: the best home remedy

The steam from the hot water will help to flush out mucus and reduce nasal congestion. Try to inhale the steam slowly and then try coughing or blowing your nose to clear your airways. According to some experts from the Cardiff Common Cold Center (United Kingdom), taking 20 minutes in a bathtub with hot water activates your defenses and can slow down the spread of the virus in the nose.

Drink orange juice

Vitamin C protects the mucous membranes of the nose, pharynx and larynx, preventing them from becoming inflamed and producing more mucus. In addition, the vitamin C that you find in orange or kiwi can shorten the duration of a cold one day as they are foods that reduce mucus. Here you can find more foods with vitamin C.

Combine propolis and echinacea

This combination is one of the best natural remedies to cure a cold without medication. And, the propolis will help you with a sore throat thanks to its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Echinacea on the other hand will boost the body's defenses to fight viruses and bacteria.

Using disposable tissues

Even if it seems like it can be reused once more, avoid touching an already used handkerchief with your hands. In this way, according to the experts, you will avoid recontacting yourself.

Drink a lot of water

Being well hydrated can be key to clearing mucus, relieving a sore throat, and replacing fluids that your body may have lost if you have a fever. It is important to avoid alcohol, because it dehydrates and could hinder your recovery process.

Eat hot food

Try to take juices, vegetables or broths, especially chicken since according to a study by the University of Nabraska (USA) it reduces the inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and lungs, relieving cold symptoms.

Get gentle exercise

Did you know that sports can help you recover faster from a cold? This is stated by the pulmonologist Eusebi Chiner, who explains that “it is not necessary to practice strenuous exercise, but it can be a gentle sport. In this way you will stimulate your body's defenses ”. You can, for example, do some gentle stretches at home or some yoga poses for beginners.

Ally yourself with infusions

If you want to cure your cold quickly you need to eliminate as much mucus as possible and for this there is nothing better than drinking fluids. For what you already know, take as many warm infusions as you want and say goodbye to the cold.

Using seawater to clear yourself

Using sea water to clear yourself

Open your nostrils with sea water or physiological saline. Tilt your head back slightly, cover one of the nostrils and inhale strongly through the other while pouring in the water or serum. The mucus will go down your throat and it will be much easier to expel it. If you don't want to spend money, the Spanish Association of Physiotherapists proposes a homemade solution: mix one teaspoon of salt per liter of water.

Gargle

It is the typical grandmother's home remedy but it works. Gargling will help to relieve sore and sore throats and to expel mucus.

Not taking antibiotics

Even if you feel fatal and have a few tenths of a fever, avoid taking antibiotics unless your doctor prescribes them. This medication can weaken your immune system, aggravate cold symptoms, and have other complications you don't expect.

You can take painkillers

In case of fever it is better to take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. You can usually take them every 8 hours, see the leaflet. If, in addition, your head hurts a lot, try these remedies to get rid of the headache quickly.

Laugh with your favorite series

Being entertained for a while in front of the television could help your immune system. According to the Spanish Society of Neurology, laughter benefits your mental and physical health, strengthening your defenses and increasing your pain threshold.

Prepare the room for a good night's sleep

Maintain good humidity. To do this, place a container of water near a heat source so that it gives off steam. This will remove the dry air that can irritate your nose and throat and relieve congestion.

Use two pillows

Having your head slightly elevated while you sleep can help you breathe better. You will make the mucus go down and not accumulate in your nose, chest or throat.

better prevent

Once you feel restored, follow these tips to prevent colds naturally so you can get through the winter safe from the flu and colds.

Do you want to be healthier?

If you want to avoid colds, don't miss these 15 easy changes you must make to have more health.

When this time of year comes, it is very common to catch a cold. Changes in temperature, rain and cold are key factors that further expose us to the hateful cold and its consequences.

General malaise, headache, or fever are just some of the symptoms of a cold. For this reason, we have prepared a guide with the best remedies to say goodbye to the cold in one day and that it is not an impediment to enjoy a great day.

In the morning: the best home remedies

Stay at home. In this way, you will not only heal faster, but you will also avoid infecting others. In case of having a chronic cardiorespiratory disease (such as COPD) it is even more important.
Take a hot shower. The steam from the hot water will help to flush out mucus and reduce nasal congestion. Try to inhale the steam slowly and then try coughing or blowing your nose to clear your airways. According to some experts from the Cardiff Common Cold Center (United Kingdom), taking a 20-minute bath with hot water activates your defenses and can slow the spread of the virus in the nose.
Drink orange juice. Vitamin C protects the mucous membranes of the nose, pharynx and larynx, preventing them from becoming inflamed and producing more mucus. In addition, the vitamin C that you find in orange or kiwi can shorten the duration of the constipation one day as they are foods that reduce mucus. Here you can find more foods with vitamin C.
Combine propolis and echinacea. Propolis will help you with a sore throat thanks to its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Echinacea for its part will boost the body's defenses to fight viruses and bacteria.
Single-use tissues. Even if it seems like it can be reused once more, avoid touching an already used handkerchief with your hands. In this way, according to the experts, you will avoid recontacting yourself.

In the afternoon: more natural remedies to take care of yourself

Drink a lot of water. Staying well hydrated can be key to clearing mucus, relieving a sore throat, and replacing fluids your body may have lost if you have a fever. It is important to avoid alcohol, because it dehydrates and could hinder your recovery process.
Leave the antibiotics in the medicine cabinet. Even if you feel fatal and have a few tenths of a fever, avoid taking antibiotics unless your doctor prescribes them. This medicine can weaken your immune system and aggravate cold symptoms. In case of fever it is better to take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Eat hot foods. Try to take juices, vegetables or broths, especially chicken since according to a study by the University of Nabraska (USA) it reduces the inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and lungs, relieving cold symptoms. Mind you, blow every scoop. Very very hot foods irritate the throat and injure the mucosa, so you have less resistance against the virus.
Get gentle exercise. Did you know that sports can help you recover faster from a cold? This is stated by the pulmonologist Eusebi Chiner, who explains that “it is not necessary to practice strenuous exercise, but it can be a gentle sport. In this way you will stimulate your body's defenses ”. You can, for example, do some gentle stretches at home.
Use sea water to clear yourself. Open your nostrils with sea water or physiological saline. Tilt your head back slightly, cover one of the nostrils and inhale strongly through the other while pouring in the water or serum. The mucus will go down your throat and it will be much easier to expel it. If you don't want to spend money, the Spanish Association of Physiotherapists proposes a homemade solution: mix one teaspoon of salt per liter of water.

At night: how to cure a cold

Laugh with your favorite series. Being entertained for a while in front of the television could help your immune system. According to the Spanish Society of Neurology, laughter benefits your mental and physical health, strengthening your defenses and increasing your pain threshold.
Prepare the room. Maintain good humidity. To do this, place a container of water near a heat source so that it gives off steam. This will remove the dry air that can irritate your nose and throat and relieve congestion.
Use two pillows. Having your head slightly elevated while you sleep can help you breathe better. You will get the mucus down and not accumulate in your nose, chest or throat.
Gargle. It is the typical grandmother's home remedy but it works. Gargling will help to relieve sore and sore throats and to expel mucus.

What if it was something else?

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell a cold from the flu.

The key to differentiate cold and flu: If there is a fever (more than a few tenths), muscle aches and a lot of fatigue, then it is the flu.

This is how it looks. Symptoms begin within 48 hours of infection and usually resolve within 3-5 days, even though you continue to cough and feel tired.

What are the symptoms of a cold?

The nose does not stop running, the eyes are watery, the voice becomes hoarse, we sneeze frequently, and our throat and head often hurt. But despite how bad we feel, we don't have a fever; at most, a few tenths. This is the usual picture of the common cold, a mild but very common illness as soon as the cold months begin.

It all starts with the nose. The first discomforts that appear are nasal, and then the cold attacks the throat, larynx and can even pass to the trachea and bronchi.

Who is guilty? Neither sudden changes in temperature nor exposure to cold at this time of year are responsible for the cold. Viruses are the only culprits.

SIGNS THAT YOU SHOULD NOT OVERLOAD …

The cold is benign. However, there may be certain complications …

Fever. If it stays high for more than 5 days, you should see a doctor, the same as if you continue to have problems breathing, chest pain, cheekbones or forehead.
Earache. If it lasts more than 3 days, it is advisable to go to the consultation.
Suspicious expectoration. If it is dark yellow, green or red, the cold may have become complicated and the doctor should consider whether to administer an antibiotic.

GO TO EMERGENCIES IF ….

You feel tingly and very weak. If you have had a cold or recently had the flu shot and notice a tingling in your legs or arms and you have trouble coordinating your movements or you feel very weak, go to the ER. It is a rare disorder but it could be post-viral Guillain Barré syndrome. It is cured, but if it is not treated in time it can seriously risk the patient's life.