6 Tips to Beat the Summer Cold

A common cold can prove to be a source of significant irritation. At the first hint of a cold, you may find yourself reaching for standard cold medications. It is, however, a good idea to swap these drugs with natural solutions that will help you recover faster without leaving a trail of side-effects.

A common cold is just as common as its name suggests.             

It can sneak up on you at any time of the year and cause a great deal of disruption in your daily routine. A cold is usually a viral infection that invades the upper respiratory tract and unleashes annoying symptoms like a runny nose, painful throat, eyes that water, sneezing, chest congestion, and sometimes a low-grade fever. All of these effects are enough to make you feel entirely under the weather.

Summer viruses that cause a cold spread quite fast, mainly due to the use of air conditioning. Air conditioners tend to dry out not just the air around you, but also the inner lining of the nose.

Usually, the inside of your nose is coated with a layer of protective mucus that keeps it safe from infections. When this is sucked dry, it is easier for viruses to attack.

Here are some natural solutions that can help you recuperate without the need for medications:

1. Drink Plenty of Fluids– Apart from keeping the mucous membranes lubricated, water helps in flushing toxins from the body which can quicken the healing process. Drinking enough fluids helps in keeping your throat from drying up and therefore prevents the painful, scratchy sensation that accompanies a cold. 

2. Gargle with Saline Water– Salty water can reduce the inflammation in your throat by removing extra mucus and irritants from its rear portion. These elements aggravate the soreness in your throat during a cold. If the water is warm, it will help soothe the pain further.

3. Add Moisture to The Air Using a Humidifier– Dried out nasal passages are a fertile ground for viral infections. Breathing in air that has very little moisture, thanks to the use of an air conditioner, can exacerbate a sore throat and congestion further. Using a humidifier to add moisture to the air can be beneficial in curing a cold faster.

4. Rest Up– Giving your body plenty of rest can help hasten the recovery process. As your body relaxes, your immune system can focus on fighting the infection and can get rid of the pathogens faster. Sleeping for at least 8 to 10 hours in a day while you are down can make you feel much better.

5. Avoid Antibiotics– It is a misconception that a course of antibiotics can help you battle a cold more efficiently. Antibiotics are drugs that treat bacterial infections. Viral strains, not bacteria, are the underlying reason behind the common cold and hence antibiotics cannot do much about it.

6. Do Not Smoke– While cigarettes are harmful no matter when you smoke them, they can be particularly nasty during a cold. The toxic chemicals present in cigarette smoke can further agitate the already ailing nasal passages and airways within the lungs.

A common cold is untreatable, as it usually runs its course before you start feeling better.

However, it is possible to reduce the intensity of the symptoms of a cold. Give the above suggestions a try before making a beeline to the drugstore the next time you come down with a cold.