Cold remedies that work
There are many home remedies that people claim can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold. These include:
- Getting plenty of rest: This allows your body to focus on fighting the infection.
- Drinking fluids: This can help to relieve congestion and keep your throat moist.
- Using a humidifier: This can add moisture to the air, which can help to relieve congestion.
- Using over-the-counter cold medications: These can help to relieve some of the symptoms of a cold, such as congestion and pain.
- Using nasal sprays: These can help to relieve congestion by opening up the nasal passages.
It's important to remember that these remedies are not a cure for the common cold, and they will not make the cold go away faster. However, they can help to make you more comfortable and make it easier to get through the illness. If you're unsure about which remedies to try, or if you have any concerns about your symptoms, it's best to talk to a doctor.
Cold remedies that don't work
There are many home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for the common cold, but not all of them are effective. Some treatments that don't work include:
- Drinking chicken soup: While chicken soup may be a comforting food when you're feeling sick, it hasn't been proven to have any cold-fighting properties.
- Rubbing alcohol on your chest: This remedy is not only ineffective, but it can also be dangerous. Alcohol can be absorbed through the skin, and applying it to your chest can lead to alcohol poisoning.
- Taking antibiotics: Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, not viral infections like the common cold. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed can also lead to antibiotic resistance, which is a serious public health concern.
- Using nasal sprays or decongestants for more than a few days: Nasal sprays and decongestants can help to relieve congestion in the short term, but using them for more than a few days can actually make your symptoms worse. This is because they can cause a rebound effect, where your symptoms become even more severe when you stop using the medication.
- Using zinc lozenges: Some studies have suggested that zinc lozenges may help to reduce the duration of a cold, but the evidence is mixed. In some cases, zinc lozenges can actually make cold symptoms worse. It's best to talk to your doctor before using any supplement or OTC medication.
In general, the best way to treat a cold is to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and use over-the-counter pain relievers to relieve symptoms like fever, headache, and body aches. If your symptoms are severe or persistent, you should talk to your doctor.
Cold remedies with conflicting evidence
There is a lot of conflicting evidence when it comes to cold remedies, as the common cold is a viral infection and antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Some over-the-counter cold remedies may provide symptom relief, but their effectiveness is not well-established. For example, decongestants may help relieve a stuffy nose, but they can also have side effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure. Some studies have suggested that zinc lozenges may help reduce the duration of a cold, but the evidence is not strong enough to recommend them for this use. It's always best to talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication, especially if you have underlying medical conditions.