what is the best cold treatment

Medication

From A to Zinc: How to Get Rid of a Cold Fast

1. Vitamin C
2. Zinc
3. Echinacea
4. Black elderberry syrup
5. Beetroot juice
6. Probiotic drinks
7. Rest
8. Honey
9. Over-the-counter medicines
10. Lots of liquids

Self-care

What medicines should I take to treat a cold?

• Solaray Echinacea Vitamin C & Zinc 425mg Supplement, $14.29. ...
• Tylenol Extra Strength Acetaminophen Caplets, $9.47. ...
• Zyrtec 24-Hour Allergy Relief Tablets, $26.48. ...

More items...

Nutrition

• Restrict meal volumes
• Increase meal frequency
• Small particle meals
• Avoid excess fat
• Avoid excess dietary fibre
• Supplementary nutrition (liquid formula)
• Support by specialised dietician

What are the best cold remedies?

Treatment

• Pain relievers. For a fever, sore throat and headache, adults often turn to OTC acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
• Decongestant nasal sprays. Adults can use decongestant drops or sprays for up to five days. ...
• Cough syrups. ...

What is the best over the counter medicine for cold?

What is the most effective treatment option for cold?

What is the best treatment for a common cold?

What is the most effective medicine for a cold?

To ease the discomfort from specific cold and flu symptoms, consider using the following types of OTC medicines:To reduce fever and pain — analgesics: Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is generally preferred. ... To dry out the nose — antihistamines: Try an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®).More items...•

How do you get rid of a cold in 24 hours?

While the duration of your symptoms may vary, many people wonder how to cure a cold in 24 hours or even overnight. The best way to tame a cold fast is to stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, gargle with salt water, take an OTC medication, and humidify the air.

What helps a cold go away faster?

Cold remedies that workStay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. ... Rest. Your body needs rest to heal.Soothe a sore throat. ... Combat stuffiness. ... Relieve pain. ... Sip warm liquids. ... Try honey. ... Add moisture to the air.More items...

What knocks a cold out fast?

Decongestants, pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, cough suppressants, and antihistamines can treat symptoms so you feel better faster, even if the viral infection lingers. Check with a pediatrician before giving your child any over-the-counter medicine.

What are some ways to get rid of a cold?

But there are pros and cons to commonly used cold remedies, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants, nasal sprays and cough syrups. Don't give OTC cold medications to children.

How to get rid of a cold after taking meds?

This will give you a chance to rest and heal, as well as reduce the chances that you'll spread your cold to others. Adjust your room's temperature and humidity.

How long does echinacea stay good for?

Echinacea seems to be most effective if you take it when you notice cold symptoms and continue it for seven to 10 days. It appears to be safe for healthy adults, but it can interact with many drugs.

How long does zinc syrup last?

Some studies show that zinc lozenges or syrup reduce the length of a cold by about one day, especially when taken within 24 to 48 hours of the first signs and symptoms of a cold. Zinc also has potentially harmful side effects. Intranasal zinc might cause permanent damage to the sense of smell.

How long does it take for a cold to go away?

There's no cure for the common cold. Most cases of the common cold get better without treatment, usually within a week to 10 days. But a cough may linger for a few more days. The best thing you can do is take care of yourself while your body heals. For example, drink plenty of liquids, humidify the air, use saline nasal rinses and get adequate rest.

How to make yourself comfortable when you have a cold?

To make yourself as comfortable as possible when you have a cold, try some of these suggestions: Drink plenty of fluids. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water are good choices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you. Sip warm liquids.

What to do if your child has a cold?

If you or your child has a cold and symptoms persist or worsen or are severe, make an appointment with your primary care provider or your child's pediatrician. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

How long does it take for a cold to go away?

Remember to always read dosing guidelines, and don’t double up on medications that contain the same active ingredient. A cold can take 7 to 10 days to resolve. If you’re still feeling sick after that, or if your symptoms start to worsen, see a doctor. Last medically reviewed on January 8, 2019.

What is the best medicine for a fever?

Treating the inflammation can bring down your pain levels and soothe discomfort. Fever and aches are best treated by ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), as is naproxen. Acetaminophen is another pain reliever that can treat fever and aches.

How to treat sinus headaches?

To treat a sinus headache, decide if you’d like to treat the pain from your sinus blockage or the actual blockage itself. Ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can reduce your pain. A decongestant like pseudoephedrine can thin out your congestion, but it might take a few doses before your sinus pressure goes away.

How to get rid of a stuffy nose?

To loosen up a stuffy nose, take a decongestant with the active ingredient pseudoephedrine. It thins out the mucus that your body produces, allowing it to escape your inflamed nasal passages so you can breathe easy again. Phenylephrine is another decongestant available for stuffy nose.

What to do if you cough so much?

If your coughing is making your throat sore, look for a medication that contains dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan helps control your brain’s signal to your body that you need to cough. This can decrease your coughing symptoms enough to promote healing of a sore throat, but it doesn’t treat the cause of your coughing.

What are the ingredients in decongestants?

Decongestants can be dangerous for people who have high blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic recommends you avoid the following active ingredients: 1 pseudoephedrine 2 ephedrine 3 phenylephrine 4 naphazoline 5 oxymetazoline

How old should a child be to take cold medicine?

Your child’s weight, development, age, and symptom severity help to determine the medication and dosage. If your child is younger than 6 months , stick to acetaminophen for pain relief.

How to help cold symptoms?

To ease cold symptoms, the essential oils of aromatherapy may be rubbed on the body, inhaled with steam, diffused into the air, or poured on a cloth to be used as a compress.

How to recover from a cold?

Good nutrition is essential for resisting and recovering from a cold. Eat a balanced diet. Take supplements as needed to ensure you are receiving the recommended dietary allowances for vitamin A , the vitamin B complex (vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, folic acid ), and vitamin C , as well as the minerals zinc and copper.

How to get rid of stuffy nose?

Try rubbing diluted eucalyptus oil on the chest as a decongestant, or inhale eucalyptus or peppermint oil to clear stuffiness. Adding lavender, cedar, or lemon to steam may also soothe nasal passages. Inhaling menthol not only provides relief from nasal congestion, but might help inhibit infection as well.

How much sleep do you need to get rid of a cold?

Lots of rest is the key treating a cold. You may find you need 12 hours of sleep each night, so don't set that alarm. You'll be most comfortable in a warm, humid environment. It's also important to stay hydrated by ...

Can you give a child over the counter cough medicine?

The FDA and manufacturers now say that over-the-counter cough and cold drugs should not be given to children under age 4.

Can you use echinacea for colds?

Several studies show adults using echinacea at the first sign of a cold suffered shorter and less severe illness. Because herbs are so poorly regulated and labeled in the U.S., however, it's difficult to know if the product you're using contains the right species and active ingredient.

Does zinc help with colds?

Avoid zinc nasal spray as it may lead to permanent loss of smell. After much research, vitamin C is believed to have a small effect in preventing colds, and no benefit in treating a cold.

How to get rid of a cold and flu?

This battle taxes your body. So give it a little help by lying down under a blanket to stay warm if necessary. No. 6: Gargle With Warm Salt Water.

How to get rid of congestion in nose?

Both can help break up the congestion in your nose. If you go the rinsing route, try this recipe: 1 Mix 3 teaspoons of iodide-free salt and 1 teaspoon baking soda. 2 Place in an airtight container. 3 Add 1 teaspoon of this mixture to 8 ounces of lukewarm boiled or distilled water.

How to get rid of congested nasal passages?

Take a damp washcloth and heat it for 30 seconds in a microwave. Test the temperature first to make sure it's right for you. Do this at night when you sleep to help relieve congested nasal passages. If the angle is too awkward, place the pillows between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.

How to make salt water for nose?

Place in an airtight container. Add 1 teaspoon of this mixture to 8 ounces of lukewarm boiled or distilled water. Next, fill a bulb syringe with this solution (or use a Neti pot .) Lean your head over a basin and gently squirt the salt water into your nose.

What is the best way to cure a cold?

Many cultures have a home remedy for the cold using garlic, whether it’s chicken soup with lots of garlic, a drink made with raw crushed garlic, or if it just involves eating raw garlic. The cold-fighting compound in garlic is thought to be allicin, which has demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal properties.

How long does zinc help with colds?

A number of studies have found that zinc helped to reduce the duration of cold symptoms, especially if people started taking it within 24 hours after cold symptoms appear. 1  Zinc also reduced the severity of symptoms and decreased the duration of symptoms by three to four days.

How long does it take for a cold to show up?

Symptoms of the common cold, which usually appear one to three days after being exposed to a cold virus include a runny nose, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes, mild headache, mild fatigue, body aches, and fever less than 102 degrees. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin.

Does zinc help with cold virus?

The problem is that many of these zinc studies have had flaws, so better-quality studies are needed. Zinc lozenges may work by blocking the cold virus from replicating (preventing it from spreading) or by impairing the ability of the cold virus to enter cells in the nose and throat.

Does garlic help with colds?

People who took garlic reduced the risk of catching a cold by more than half. The study also found that garlic reduced the recovery time in people who caught a cold. More research is needed to corroborate these results. Garlic does have some possible side effects and safety concerns.

Can alternative medicine be used for colds?

Keep in mind that scientific support for the claim that any remedy can treat colds is lacking and that alternative medicine should not be used as a substitute for standard care. If you're considering the use of any remedy for a cold, make sure to consult your physician first.

Does cold fx reduce the flu?

There was no statistically significant difference in the number of people who contracted the flu and no difference in the severity or duration of the flu. The researchers analyzed the results of the two studies together and only then did the results show that Cold-fX reduced the incidence of the flu.

What are some home remedies for the common cold?

Many home remedies are popular treatments for the common cold. These include vitamin C, zinc supplements, and echinacea. Although not proven to be helpful, most home remedies are safe for most people. Some remedies may cause side effects or allergic reactions. Certain remedies may change the way other medicines work.

How long does it take for a cold to get better?

Colds are very common. A visit to your health care provider's office is often not needed, and colds often get better in 3 to 4 days. A type of germ called a virus causes most colds. There are many types of viruses that can cause a cold. Depending on what virus you have, your symptoms may vary.

How to stop germs from spreading?

Wash your hands often. This is the best way to stop the spread of germs. To wash your hands correctly: Rub soap onto wet hands for 20 seconds. Make sure to get under your fingernails. Dry your hands with a clean paper towel and turn faucet off with paper towel. You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

How to get rid of a cold if you have asthma?

Wheezing can be a common symptom of a cold if you have asthma. Use your rescue inhaler as prescribed if you are wheezing. See your provider immediately if it becomes hard to breathe.

What are the symptoms of a cold?

Common symptoms of a cold include: Fever (100°F [37.7°C] or higher) and chills. Headache, sore muscles, and fatigue. Cough. Nasal symptoms, such as stuffiness, runny nose, yellow or green snot, and sneezing. Sore throat. Mild symptoms of COVID-19 may be similar to those of the common cold.

Can you use cough syrup for sore throat?

So use cough syrups only when your cough becomes too painful. Throat lozenges or sprays for your sore throat. Many cough and cold medicines you buy have more than one medicine inside. Read the labels carefully to make sure you do not take too much of any one medicine.

Does Tylenol help with colds?

Treating your symptoms will not make your cold go away, but will help you feel better. Antibiotics are almost never needed to treat a common cold. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help lower fever and relieve muscle aches. Do not use aspirin.

What is the best expectorant for coughing?

Expectorants such as Mucinex thin the nasty mucus draining down the back of your throat, which helps you cough it up and out. These products can help, but the best expectorant may be as near as your kitchen sink. "All you need to do is drink more water," say Dering-Anderson.

How long does ginseng keep you from getting colds?

One Canadian study found that taking ginseng daily over the course of four months not only prevented some colds but also reduced the severity and duration of cold symptoms. A review of existing studies found some benefit for North American ginseng if taken for two to four months.

How to reduce congestion during pregnancy?

For instance, to reduce congestion, place a humidifier in your room, elevate your head during rest time, or try nasal strips. To soothe a sore throat, gargle with warm salt water, drink warm tea, or suck on ice chips. As far as OTC medications go, the APA advises keeping the number to a minimum during pregnancy.

What is the best vitamin for respiratory infections?

Vitamin D. As soon as one study proclaims that vitamin D lowers the risk of upper respiratory infections, another study turns up to refute the claim. What we do know is that vitamin D is essential for bone health and is found in fish, eggs, fortified food, and natural sunlight.

Does echinacea help with colds?

Studies on whether the herb echinacea reduces the duration of the common cold are a mixed bag. So much depends on the treatment's preparation—juice, root-and-herb, or tincture —which can vary widely. One study found that echinacea pills were about as effective as placebo bills in shortening the length of a cold.

Is Theraflu a cold medicine?

Theraflu is basically a dose of acetaminophen along with several other anti-cold ingredients and has a warning about the risk of liver damage if you take more than the recommended dose or mix with alcohol or other acetaminophen-containing products.

Does vitamin C help with colds?

Vitamin C in mega-doses comes brightly packaged as Emergen-C and Airborne, but there's no concrete evidence that large doses of C can reduce the duration or severity of colds or the flu. Vitamin C is water soluble, so anything over the recommended dietary allowance—which is 90 milligrams a day for men and 75 for women—will be eliminated from the body when you urinate. The better approach: Fill up on whole foods loaded with vitamin C, which are also loaded with other important nutrients to keep your body strong and healthy.

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