TIPS TO TREAT COLDS AND FLU

By:Dr. Earlene Posselt, Internist

Colds and flu are inevitable.  With no cure available, it’s important to know how to treat your symptoms or shorten the duration of your illness.  Although one can take a variety of medications over-the-counter, there are a number of other ways to manage these annoying illnesses.

First, it helps to know that not all symptoms need to be treated.  Many of them are only a part of the natural healing process as well as evidence that the immune system is working just as it should.  In adults, fever is not dangerous, and helps kill the viruses by causing a hotter-than-normal environment.  This helps circulate the germ-killing proteins faster as well.  If you don’t fight every fever, you may get better faster. 

Coughing is also the normal way that the body clears infected material.  So is a runny nose and congestion.  If the cough is suppressed or the stuffiness inhibited, it may actually slow your recovery. Decongestants decrease blood flow to the breathing passages, delaying the delivery of infection fighting cells and proteins.

Stuffy noses can be treated with salt-water rinses, which break up the congestion and remove the virus particles and bacteria from the nose.  Nasal saline can be purchased inexpensively over-the-counter, or can be made at home using ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water.  Hold one nostril closed while squirting or sniffing the mixture into the other nostril.  Let it drain and then treat the other side.  This can be repeated 2 or 3 times if needed. 

Gargling can restore moisture to a dry and irritated throat and bring temporary relief.  Popular mixtures include salt water and even tea!  The tannins in the tea tighten the membranes.  Don’t forget to drink plenty of hot liquids to prevent dehydration.  Limit alcohol to a minimum since it can inflame sensitive tissues of the throat.  Try hot lemonade made fresh without a lot of sugar. 

Temporary relief of congestion can be started by sniffing aromatic vapors such as menthol, camphor, eucalyptus, and even kitchen sage.  Do not place ointments inside the nasal or oral cavities, however.  Hot packs to the sinus area also increase blood flow and help to decongest. Reusable packs can be purchased at a drugstore, or make one at home by heating a damp wash cloth in the microwave for 55 seconds.  Be sure to test the temperature first to make sure it is right for you.

Try to avoid drying out the mucous membranes.  Use a clean, well-maintained cool mist humidifier at night if you run a heater.  Saline spray or washes can be used as already described. 

Don’t forget to eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables to help your immune system work at its best.  Avoid alcohol and smoking.  See your doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not respond to simple remedies after a few days.

Dr. Earlene Posselt, Internist