If you are suffering from a common, non-serious illness there are a few secrets to feeling better faster. When you’re feeling sick there’s only one thing you want to do: feel better. Of course, there’s no magical way to make your illness disappear on the spot, but feeling better is the next best thing.
1. Drink Plenty Of Water & Stay Hydrated
Hydration is key to getting better when you are sick. Drinking lots of healthy fluids helps replace fluids lost through vomiting, diarrhea and just being sick in general. Drinking lots of fluids can also help relieve congestion. As a general guideline you should aim to drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day.
It’s not just water that can help keep you hydrated. Drinking warm soup, tea or broth is a tasty way to relieve discomfort in your throat and stay hydrated. Some herbal teas, such as Chamomile, come with an extra perk, they provide a calming effect. Drinking Echinacea tea is proven to reduce the length and severity of a cold. Adding honey to your tea will improve a sore throat and also act as a cough suppressant.
2. Use A Humidifier
A humidifier can be used to put moisture back in the air; this is especially helpful if the air is very dry. Dry air will further irritate congestion and make you cough more. Adding moisture to the air helps ease your symptoms.
Helpful tip: Keep your humidifier clean! A dirty humidifier makes the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, which can then make you sicker.
3. Use A Neti Pot
Neti pots provide beneficial nasal irrigation by flushing out your nasal cavities and sinuses. User instructions vary based upon which neti pot you purchase. Overall, it’s very simple and involves running water through one nostril and out the other. You will have to tilt your head and breathe out of your mouth as the sterile saline solution runs through your nose.
4. Blow Your Nose The Right Way
Yes, there really is a right and wrong way to blow your nose. It’s important to know the difference when you have a cold and are blowing your nose half the day. If you blow your nose wrong you could make your illness worse and even develop an earache. In order to blow your nose the right way, hold one nostril closed and blow the other nostril before switching out sides. Always wash your hands after blowing your nose to prevent spreading infection.
Helpful tip: In order to help relieve congestion try placing hot or cold packs around your nose. Saline nasal drops and sprays are also helpful.
5. Soak In Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt is a miracle worker when you are sick because it helps to relieve body aches while supplying your body with magnesium. It is also known to produce a detoxing effect.
Follow the directions listed on the package to determine how much Epsom salt to add to warm water. If you don’t have a bathtub or aren’t into taking baths, you could always fill a bucket with warm water and Epsom salt to soak your feet.
6. Medications
Over-the-counter medications can make you feel worlds better when you are sick. Ibuprofen, cold medicines, naproxen, nasal sprays, throat lozenges and so forth will not treat the infection or make you get better faster, but they will make you feel better in the now. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before giving any medications to your child.
7. Get Plenty Of Sleep
Sleep is your best friend when you’re sick. When the body sleeps it goes to work healing, which is exactly what you need when you’re sick. You’re not going to be very productive when your coughing up a lung or can’t breathe, so you might as well get the sleep you need to get back on your A-game.
When To See A Doctor
The basic cold or flu can usually be treated with plenty of rest and at-home remedies but there comes a time when you may need to see a doctor in order to get better.
- Your cold is still bad and not getting any better after 8-10 days of being sick.
- Your fever is consistently high, a high fever is considered anything above 103 °F.
- Your fever persists for 3+ days.
- You are struggling to breathe due to constant coughing or shortness of breath.
- Your eyes or ears are draining
- Neck stiffness
- You develop a rash.
- Symptoms of dehydration (weakness, dry mouth, decreased urination)
- Severe pain or discomfort
Suffering from the cold or flu? Visit Urgent Medical Center for fast answers and relief!
