Cold & Flu Treatment, Causes, Types, Symptoms, Medication And Facts

Although the common cold is rarely dangerous, it is always frustrating to have. The accompanying runny nose, congested head, and sore throat can make your life a drag. So it’s understandable why people want to hope and believe there are remedies which will shorten the duration of their illness. But is vitamin C (ascorbic acid) something that will truly help you? Let’s take a closer look at the facts to find out.

What vitamin C can and cannot do
Nowadays, there are some companies which make pretty bold claims as to what their supplements can do. When it comes to vitamin C, marketers usually tout it as something that will boost your immune system. Sometimes, they even go so far as to say it’s a vitamin that can treat, cure, or prevent a disease. The skin care industry has even hopped on the bandwagon; they’re now making vitamin C skin care products.

The truth of the matter is that vitamin C has not been clinically proven to enhance the immune system. Make no mistake about it; our bodies do need this vitamin to survive. In that sense, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) is needed not only to support your immune system, but also your general health. But does an ascorbic acid dosage in excess of that amount offer additional benefits? That is unknown.

What the FDA says about vitamin C
The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) makes it very clear: dietary supplements (like vitamin C) should not be used to treat, cure, or prevent a disease or medical condition. Therefore, according to them, ascorbic acid should not be used as a cold or flu remedy. Rather, it should only be used as a general dietary supplement.

Meanwhile there are some people who allege the FDA has been corrupted by big-pharma, and therefore they have an ulterior motive to promote expensive drugs instead of cheap vitamins and minerals. Whether those allegations are true or not… who knows. But what we do know is that currently in the United States, it’s illegal to claim a dietary supplement (vitamins) can be used to prevent or treat a medical condition, like the cold or flu. Therefore, you should actually be wary of vitamin companies that make that claim, especially considering that their claims have not been proven in clinical trials yet.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome had greatly damaged lives and economy in the past years. It had affected primarily economies hampering tourism of Asian countries. SARS in its worst had made thousands of casualties.

In its devastation, 14 countries around the globe suffered the setbacks. The development of SARS epidemic in the United States was not that apparent but it still left a stigma in the society.

It was well affirmed by specialist and researchers that all SARS patients had a strain of the virus of paramyxovirus family. The virus that damaged the respiratory system of the person is the metapneumovirus which kills the antibodies responsible to the strength of the immune system.

Metapneumovirus is thought to be not only the reason behind SARS but other viruses have shared the strain. Moreover, researchers haven’t found yet a medicine to kill the virus. However, they are very hopeful that they will be able to crack down the cure to SARS.

After careful microscopic research by virologist, it was found out that there are other viruses that thrive in the infection. These viruses are more likely the same with the ones that cause the flu and the common cold. Having this vital knowledge paved the way to the understanding of the SARS as a cold and flu family which is less serious than expected.

Researchers were able to track the coronavirus as a support to the metapneumovirus. These two viruses which cause SARS are interdependent on each other in terms of purpose and living aspect. This discovery also helps virologist to connect atypical diseases to the strain viruses.

After a careful research of the two viruses, virologists were able to conclude the cure of SARS. They were able to defectively kill the metapneumovirus by using the coronavirus.

This paves the way to the understanding that SARS and cold have common aspects in terms of illness viral causes.

Flu and common cold could eventually put you in bed rest. Cold has been taking more economic wealth of the person than any other sickness.

To get rid of cold fast and to put you back to your work here are some helpful reminders on how to cure a cold:
Do not go out. If you are told by your physician to take rest, do it. Most people would tend to work when they are told to rest and end up worsening the situation. If you force your body to work, you will suffer some setbacks. Instead of only cold, you will face the tantrums of headaches and fatigue.

You can sleep in a place that has a good ventilation system if you are looking for a way on how to cure a cold and also providing you good air to breathe. Help yourself and get a room that is not hot or is not that cool. Try to balance the temperature of the place.

Get rid of the mucous that form residue of the cold will help you in inhaling properly. It will also help you to get away from the stress of hard breathing.

Many people who catch cold will not go to the shower. You need a hot nice shower to level the temperature of your body. Going out under sun without any shower will take your head more heavy.
Drinking more liquids will help you in the process of regulating the cold. It is good to take citrus juices as a substitute for the water.

Eating is worst during sickness but it is necessary that you eat a handful to help you when taking medicines. The food that you will eat will neutralize acidity of the medicine to avoid any intestinal problem.

Little by little your condition will get okay so do not over work yourself. It takes time for the body to have a normal balance.

The bad news is this: there is no cure for the common cold. The good news is this: there are quite a few remedies for the common cold. Technically time heals all wounds and cures most colds. But that’s cold comfort if you’re suffering from the symptoms. So consider these remedies if you’re sitting at home with nothing better to do than getting over your cold. All others are welcome to read along as well.

Blow Your Nose
Yet another good reason to stay home when you have a cold is you can blow your nose in the privacy of your own home without disturbing your coworkers. Still another good reason to blow your nose, in any case, is to get rid of the disease causing organisms that gave you your cold in the first place. Even though you’re at home there is a proper way to blow your nose and an improper way. Put a finger over one nostril and blow gently to clear the other nostril’s contents.

Fluids and More Fluids
You’ve heard it many times before but we would be remiss if we didn’t remind you once more: drink plenty of fluids when you have a cold. It’ll help you get rid of congestion and keep you hydrated, which the germs don’t like. Eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day is this suggested daily requirement. Hydration derived from tea or fruit drinks and ginger ale is also okay. Chicken soup can stay on the menu and is highly recommend. Caffeine drinks and alcoholic drinks should stay off the menu for the time being.

Build up Steam
We can’t build up steam highly enough when it comes to fighting a cold. Breathing in some steam rising from a hot bathtub or a hot pot of water or even a tea kettle can do you a world of good when you have a cold. A hot steamy shower can work nearly as well on your stuffy head.

Just add Salt
Using a Neti pot and saline rinses are also effective decongestant remedies. Rinsing your nasal passages with salt water actually flushes out the virus particles and bacteria.

Common Sense
Rest and keep warm. This common sense remedy allows your body to fight off a cold more effectively. The last time we looked, your mail wasn’t being sent to the Fortress of Solitude and you’re not in the habit of changing your clothes in a phone booth. You’re not a superwoman and you’re not a superman so don’t try to act like one. Put on a blanket, not a cape.

Add More Salt
When’s the last time a health tip told you to add more salt? If you add some salt to warm water and then the gargle with it you’ll most likely relieve that itchy scratchy throat for a time. You can repeat as needed at least four times a day.

Tea for You
As an alternative you can gargle was tea. The tannins found in tea can tighten the membranes found in your throat and this can have a soothing effect.