Although the coronavirus is a hot topic in the U.S. and around the world, other viruses, like the common cold, are still looming large and still ought to be on your radar. Learn how to naturally fight off colds you may experience now or in the near future.
Is It The Common Cold or COVID-19?
Right now, one of the most pressing questions people have is, ‘Is it the common cold or COVID-19?’ According to The Pharmacy Times, this is a reasonable question as the two share many of the same symptoms. Both may involve a cough, sore throat, and/or congestion.
You most likely have a cold if you have sneezing, watery eyes, and post-nasal drip — all symptoms that do not commonly present with the coronavirus. If you spike a fever or experience shortness of breath, it is more likely to be COVID-19. When in doubt, get tested or request an antibody test if you are no longer experiencing symptoms.
Eat Right
Once you have determined that you have a cold, the next step is treating it. While the common cold does not have a cure per se, there are several ways you can reduce symptoms and rev up your immune system. One of the most effective ways to do that is to eat nutritious meals.
To treat cold symptoms, eat chicken soup, bananas, oatmeal, and yogurt. Chicken soup is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are important to your recovery. Spicy foods help clear your nasal passages, while foods like bananas, oatmeal, and yogurt help settle your stomach.
Choosing nutritious food items not only helps treat the common cold but also staves off other ailments. For example, 60 to 70 million Americans regularly experience digestive problems. Eating healthy foods can keep these problems at bay as well.
Take Your Vitamins
Of course, even those with an exceptionally healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle have certain gaps. While eating a diet rich in healthy foods — try focusing on whole foods and eating a colorful plate — is extraordinarily beneficial, vitamins can help fill any nutritional requirements that remain unmet.
Try supplementing your diet with some of the best vitamins for your body and immune system, including vitamin C, vitamin B12, and zinc. Vitamin C promotes a healthy immune system, healthy skin, and adequate iron absorption. Taking vitamin C can help reduce the duration of the common cold. Similarly, vitamin B12 keeps your circulatory and nervous systems healthy. Those who are healthier overall are likely to fare better with cold symptoms. Finally, zinc may be the most effective of all. According to Business Insider, zinc actively combats rhinoviruses responsible for the common cold.
Rest, Drink Plenty of Water, and Gargle With Salt Water
It takes the average person 10 days to beat the common cold, although recovery times may range from 48 hours to 14 days. While it may be difficult to keep up with an extraordinarily active lifestyle during that time, there are other things you can do to significantly reduce your symptoms.
To combat symptoms right away and to reduce the duration of your cold, two of the most important things to do are to rest and drink plenty of water. When you have a cold, you will need extra fluids. In addition to plain water, you can also drink clear broth, juice, and hot water with honey and lemon to help treat and alleviate your symptoms.
Some find that the common cold presents with a sore throat or scratchy, itchy throat as well. To naturally treat this symptom, put a teaspoon of table salt in eight ounces of warm water. Gargle the saltwater for 30 to 60 seconds. You can do this as often as need.
If you are in the throes of the common cold, don’t fret. There are ways to treat your cold — and to do it naturally — by eating the right foods, supplementing with vitamins, and sticking to the basics, like getting plenty of rest and drinking water.
