Every year millions of people fall victim to a cold in December. It is not due to weather which cause sickness but cold forces people to remain indoors, which make it easier for the sickness to spread. Here is explained some tactics by Prof Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Institute at Cardiff University to tackle symptoms of cold.
According to a study cold is caused by virus known as rhinovirus that typically inflamed the lining of the nose and throat.
1 Many nasal sprays which contain drugs like xylometazoline, or oxymetazoline, help in reducing the inflammation in the nose that causes congestion. Various studies have shown that nasal sprays are more effective than decongestant pills.
2 Another remedy one can choose is add a few drops of menthol Vaporub to the water that would have cooling effect on the nerves of the nose and make it to feel cool and clear.
3 You can also try to find lozenges with strong taste. It would endorse salivation to help coating and soothing a sore throat. Covonia lozenges, which contain menthol and capsicum, are good at curing cold.
4 For treating chesty cough go for strong flavored medication and search for expectorants like guaifenesin that help skinny mucus and clear it from the airways.
5 Another easy but effective remedy for common cold is to put your head over a steaming bowl of hot water for five minutes. It appeases and clears your airways within few minutes.
6 The sweet and tasty cough syrup can also provide relief. The cough mixture lubricates the throat in sweet manner than from the active ingredients. For the same cause, spicy foods, hot soups and drinks with bitter flavors can give help too.