Relieve cold symptoms
The question “What to do about a cold?” comes up especially in the winter months. Flu-like infections are particularly widespread during the cold season. And those affected want to get rid of the usually very annoying cold as quickly as possible.
But special medications that directly combat the cold viruses are not available. The body has to deal with them itself – and it usually needs about a week to do so.
To help, you can relieve cold symptoms such as colds, coughs, sore throats, fatigue or even a slight fever with various measures. And you can do a lot to ensure that the cold does not drag on longer than necessary.
Cold symptoms such as a cold, cough and fever can also indicate a Sars-CoV-2 infection. To be on the safe side, isolate yourself and call your doctor for advice on whether you should get tested!
Take it easy!
Bed rest is not essential when you have a cold, but it is advisable if you feel very dull or suffer from severe cold symptoms.
Walking with a cold
Taking it easy does not mean that you have to give up exercise altogether. A daily walk in the fresh air can support the healing of the cold. In cold weather, however, you should dress warmly!
Refrain from sports!
Avoid physical exertion and sports when you have a cold! Otherwise, the pathogens can spread to the heart and cause inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or the pericardium (pericarditis). This can cause permanent damage such as heart failure or even be life-threatening.
Drink plenty of fluids!
When you have a cold, it is important to drink plenty of fluids. Water or tea are ideal. This keeps the irritated mucous membranes of the respiratory tract moist. This relieves discomfort and helps the body fight the viruses. Even painful, stuck coughs are better relieved if you drink a lot when you have a cold.
What drinks for a cold?
Herbal teas such as chamomile, sage, mint or special cold mixtures are particularly suitable for a cold. The plant substances contained in them soothe the mucous membranes and, thanks to the rising steam, act like a light inhalation.
Hot lemon soothes the throat, loosens mucus and also contains vitamin C.
For colds with a sore throat, hot milk with honey helps. But be careful: do not give honey to babies! The bacteria contained in it (or their toxins) can cause so-called infant botulism, which is life-threatening.
No alcohol for colds
Even if some swear by “home remedies” like warm beer: Alcohol is not a good idea when you have a cold. It puts additional strain on the body, which can further weaken the body’s defenses.
Inhale!
Inhalation also ensures well-moistened airways. Cold symptoms such as coughs, sore throats, colds and even a possible sinus infection can be alleviated with inhalation.
Inhalations containing essential oils are said to be particularly effective. For example, chamomile, mint or eucalyptus come into question.
Note: Essential oils containing camphor, eucalyptus or mint can be life-threatening for infants and young children. Even the smallest amounts may trigger a life-threatening spasm of the larynx. In the worst case, this leads to respiratory arrest.
Who must be careful when inhaling
However, inhalation is not suitable for everyone. People with inflammatory skin conditions, low blood pressure or other circulatory problems may be adversely affected by inhalation.
Asthmatics should not inhale essential oils via inhalation devices. These then reach particularly deep into the lungs and can irritate them.
Pregnant women should also not inhale with essential oils – these can promote premature labor.
Babies and small children should not inhale hot water vapor (risk of scalding!). Instead, separate inhalers are advisable for these age groups.
Medication for cold symptoms
If you have a cold, you don’t have to torture yourself unnecessarily. Medications can significantly alleviate the various cold symptoms. However, they cannot cure the common cold. For example, antibiotics are useless for a classic cold – they only work against bacteria and not against viruses.
Nasal drops
Nasal drops or sprays with special active ingredients (such as xylometazoline, phenylephrine) reduce the swelling of the mucous membranes, making it easier to breathe. However, you should not use the preparations for longer than a week. Otherwise, there is a risk that the body will become accustomed to the substances, the nasal mucosa will be damaged and you will have problems breathing without the nose drops/nasal spray.
This restriction does not apply to nasal sprays based on a saline solution (seawater nasal spray). You can use these for a long time without any problems.
Pain medication and fever reducers
Many children find it difficult to swallow tablets. For them, therefore, suppositories, syrup and juice with suitable pain-reducing and fever-reducing active ingredients are particularly suitable. However, you should always discuss their use with a pediatrician first, especially with small children. Acetylsalicylic acid in particular can be dangerous for small children!
Cough suppressants
There are two types of cough suppressants – expectorants and cough suppressants:
- Expectorants are used for productive coughs (that is, coughs with sputum). They make it easier to cough up mucus from the lungs.
- Cough suppressants, on the other hand, help with dry cough (irritable cough without sputum). They should not be taken when the airways are mucousy (i.e., during a productive cough), because otherwise the mucus cannot be coughed up properly.
Essential oils or corresponding preparations (such as ointments) also have a relieving effect on coughs and colds when rubbed on the chest and back. Essential oils with camphor, mint or eucalyptus must not be used on infants and children!
Zinc preparations
However, some people experience nausea and changes in taste when they take zinc. In addition, you should not take zinc through the nose, as it can permanently impair the sense of smell. A benefit for children has also not been proven.
Vitamin C supplements
A good supply of vitamin C is important for a functioning immune system. Nevertheless, vitamin preparations seem to have only a minor effect – both as a preventive measure (only in the case of heavy physical exertion or severe cold) and in the case of an acute infection. It makes more sense to eat a diet rich in vitamins as a matter of principle.
Homeopathy and Schüßler salts
Many patients rely on homeopathic globules against colds, others on Schüßler salts. Whether they actually help with colds has not yet been clearly proven scientifically.
Note: Both the concept of homeopathy and that of the Schüßler salts and their specific effectiveness in science controversial and not clearly proven by studies.
Food for colds
Fasting can help
Anyone who catches a bad cold usually has little or no appetite. You don’t have to force yourself to eat: eating little or fasting for a short time can be quite helpful for otherwise healthy adults. Instead of putting energy into digestion and fighting off germs from the food, the body can then concentrate on fighting the cold viruses.
Fasting also stimulates the process known as autophagy. In this “self-digestion” program, the body eliminates cellular junk – and that includes dead cells and remnants of eliminated viruses. After the big clean-up, the immune system and metabolism function all the better again.
Light food
When the appetite returns, light food is recommended. This means above all: not too rich in fat. Raw vegetables and whole-grain products, which are otherwise highly recommended, often weigh heavily on the stomach of sick people.
Instead, eat easily digestible foods, such as porridge, steamed vegetables or soup.
Chicken soup
Vitamin & Co.: Food for the immune system
Some foods are considered particularly helpful for the immune system. For example, they contain antioxidants that can scavenge harmful oxygen radicals.
Fruit and fruit juices in particular are therefore popular with cold sufferers – and rightly so. In addition to vitamins, they also contain secondary plant substances such as polyphenols. Other substances important for immune defense are found in foods of animal origin.
- Vitamin C is found primarily in citrus fruits, berries, elderberries, kiwis, peppers and broccoli.
- Zinc is found in oatmeal, fish, milk and cheese.
- Folic acid (folate) is found in spinach, broccoli, lamb’s lettuce, chicken egg and offal.
- Omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect. They are found in fish and rapeseed oil, among others.
Tips for the common cold
Other helpful measures in dealing with a cold include:
Increase humidity
Avoid cigarette smoke
When you have a cold, the mucous membranes in the nose and throat are under a lot of strain. You should therefore avoid anything that irritates them further. This includes, above all, cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes.
Keeping warm with a cold
If you’re heading out the door with a cold, be sure to dress warmly when temperatures are low! A scarf over your mouth will protect your airways. After all, cold air irritates them and additionally provokes coughing. In addition, the blood vessels of the mucous membranes contract, which reduces blood flow. As a result, fewer defense cells are present – the mucous membrane is susceptible to further pathogens.
Sleep with the upper body elevated
Sleep with your upper body elevated when you have a cold. This clears the mucous membranes and lets you breathe easier. You’ll sleep better, feel fitter in the morning and support your immune system.
Wash hands
Sneeze and cough into the crook of your arm
Instead of sneezing into your hand, you should sneeze and cough into the crook of your arm. Otherwise, countless viruses will immediately stick to your hands and you will spread them everywhere.
Sniffing instead of blowing your nose
There is something to be said for simply pulling up the nasal mucus. Because of the increased pressure when blowing, viruses are more likely to reach the sinuses. In addition, the mucus is swallowed along with the viruses – the acid in the gastric juice eliminates the pathogens.
Clear the ears
During a cold, the eustachian tube (also called the eustachian tube) can become swollen or blocked. It connects the throat to the ear and is necessary for pressure equalization. If it doesn’t work, the ear feels “closed,” you hear only muffled sound, and it can hurt. The risk of a middle ear infection also increases.
First measures are then yawning or swallowing. If this is not enough, heat can help – for example, a heat pad on the ear. In case of severe pain or if the symptoms do not subside, an ENT doctor should examine the ear.
Home remedies for colds
Home remedies are often used by patients who do not want to treat their symptoms with conventional medicines. Many of them have helped generations of patients.
Home remedies have their limits. If the symptoms persist for a long time, do not get better or even get worse, you should always consult a doctor.
You can find out which home remedies are available for cold symptoms and how to use them in the article “Home remedies for colds”.
