The Common Cold

The Common Cold

More from the "Green Team" for Senior Citizens. As always let me know what you think.

Colds appear superficially similar to the 'flu, but are generally less severe.
Common in Winter, respiratory passage inflammation, irritation of the nose and throat, runny eyes, and of course fevers, chills and muscle aches are typical symptoms of the common cold.

In extreme cases, a bad cold may even cause sinusitis orcongestion of the chest, which can be particularlydistressing for the very young and us Senior Citizens.
The differences between a cold and flu are fairly easy to spot- flu usually causes a headache, fever, heavy fatigue and general aches - these are rare in colds.

A cold involves a runny nose and a sorethroat - both rare in flu. The symptoms will last between 7 and 14 days (including an incubationperiod of between 1 and 3 days).

A cold is caused by a fast mutating virus, which tends to strike when one's immune system is depressed.

Extreme coldness, tiredness, stress brought on by overwork, or over indulgence - all of these can 'bring on' a cold.

The symptoms of the common cold are actually your bodys attempt at killing the virus and re-establishing normal conditions - a raised body temperature kills the virus eventually. Unfortunately, the fast mutation characteristics of the common cold make it impossible to produce a vaccine, leaving only natural remedies in the arsenal of anti-cold techniques.

At the first signs of a cold (sore throat, runny nose) go to bed - don't wait for the virus to get started. Remember that the first line of attack against the cold virus will be plenty of fluids,and especially vitamin C drinks, such as hot lemon. Vitamin C is available in several forms - tablets, drinks etc. Garlic may also help - both of these are said to be good germ fighters. Other vitamins that may help include A, B6, E, and F. It is also reported that a little extra zinc may help shorten the duration of colds.

Whilst the cold is in full swing, try drinking potato peeling broth. The peelings should be half an inch thick, boiled for about half an hour then strained and cooled, taken twice a day. On the other hand you may preffer to suffer..

When the fever has gone, a low calorie raw fruit and vegetable diet can be tried, although you may not feel much like eating even now. Raw juices and herb teas may also help. The best herb teas for fighting the common cold are said to be

:-Rose hips
Camomile
Peppermint
Ginger

There are many products that help with runny noses and congestions - most are based on ucalyptus oil. Try putting a few drops in a cup of boiling water, inhaling the vapors with a towel over your head. For a sore throat- gargling with crushed aspirin in warm water may help, although be careful you don't swallow it, and don't do it.

The most popular watertreatments include hot mustard foot baths (to reduce sinus congestion) This may also work for warts and ingrowing toenails :(:( (ed)

Epsom salt baths while drinking sweating teas, hot ginger chest compresses and saltwater nasal douches to open the sinuses.

Some people try steam inhalation, eucalyptus, pineneedle, clove, or thyme.


Philip Jubb

http://www.oldagepensioners.com/dware/