What do you do/take when you've got a sore throat/nasal congestion/sneezing? Personally I hate meds, and especially those that give me that drowsy feeling, unless I plan on sleeping it off all day. I've got a cold now, and my meds aren't working: Over the counter antihistamine and generic cold rememdy similar to nyquil/dayquil. It may work for an hour, but sooner than I want, I'm back to feeling miserable and more wool-headed than usual. I just want to be able to stop sneezing and blowing my nose... it's starting to hurt. You got brands or home remedies to recommend? I've gargled hot salt water for sore throats, and that works fairly well. I've eaten hot peppers for clearing out the sinuses, and that works, but has it's own problems. Personally I've always felt it best to just get as much sleep and fluids as possible when sick, and just let the body do its thing.... but sometimes you can't take that time off, and need to be clear and sharp (and not dripping snot every 3 minutes.)
The last bit is the only real remedy for colds etc, the rest are just fooling your body into feeling better for a while. Our family's favourite is a Beecham's with honey, followed by some form of strong spirit in hot water. Personally, I just stick it out with a plentiful supply of tissues.
yeah, sticking it out is generally the way I do this as well, though I seriously wouldn't mind fooling my nose for a day or so... my nostrils are raw and my garbage can is half full (or would the optimistic thing to say be half empty?) Gonna go try some chapstick on my nostrils Don't have any strong spirits handy, and just finished the last tea bag...
Drink lots of hot fluids (tea) and take Benadryl (antihistamine, a decongestant, and a pain reliever). Cough suppressants have been proven not to work and you're better off using something with expectorants instead. There are cough drops that help get rid of the sore throat and the tickle in the back of your throat that causes coughing. Hot green tea, Benadryl, Sucrets, Nyquil Cold/Flu got rid of my last sever cold in 2wks.
Single malt whiskey slowly over a few hours, whilst reading a good book. Sweat the cold out, as alcohol raises body temperture which burns the bug up. Then quick walk to open the air way just before bed, the combination of alcohol and easiness to breath knocks me out for a good night sleep.
I wish there was an actual remedy also but unfortunately... same as most above. I'll usually take meds while I need to trick myself. A day like today, I work my main job 8-5 and get to leave here to work my second part time job 6 to close which will be after midnight and I'm fighting a cold. Today I'm on Sudafed but I'm not sure if it's helping or hurting more. My nose isn't dripping but the dryness hurts. a lot. If I have the time that I can do it, just a good days rest, plenty of water and few shots of Jack and I'm good.
I have really bad flu, and flew out to german escorting a load of school kids at my old job. The cabin pressure plus flu meds, caused me to block up like crazy, when we landed the sudden pressure dropped caused a massive nose bleed and i was deaf for 2 hours, stubbling via customs feeling like death. Luckily the other staff managed to find me a place to crash out in the airport enterance whilst we waited for the coach. every morning i woke up my eyes were glued with muck from my nasal cavity, most horrid. Never have i felt so bad, i wont take anymore than one doses of flu meds in one day, as it surpresses the cold/flu but just makes you worse in the long run.
I like burnout21's method here... don't think I could pull it off at work... Bacon? Hmmm... just got a baconburger, that might help! Yeah, for me the worst part of this (Besides the constantly leaking nose, and soreness from nose blowing) is the foggy congested head. I don't want to use my brain even a little. Sleep and zoning out and beverages, that's what I'm working with.
try it, you'll have the best nights sleep, but dont forget the walk, the cool air widdens your airway, which helps you to breath, plus the combo of alcohol and light exercise, just knocks you out.
Psychosomosis is a wonderful thing, but a bit difficult to employ (think too hard about using it, and it stops working -_-) Find something you really like, a particular food or drink, and consume it ritualistically. I know is sounds absurd, but it often helps a lot. Many of the suggestions above play on this effect. edit - oh, but don't choose a product that aggravates nasal congestion, like lactose-heavy stuff or huge amounts of cold liquid (cereal, etc.) editedit - see below for another example of a psychosomatic solution a very good one, mind, I'd try that.
IMO the last thing to do is to take any kind of medication. I let my body heal itself so it can get stronger. I am rarely sick now and I don't wear warm clothes besides a normal winter coat which I never zip up, almost never have any gloves on during winter and I haven't had a pair of boots for about 10 years. In fact my running shoes get wet almost everyday in the snow and I still don't get sick oh and I also don't turn the heater on as the air gets too dry and it makes things worst for my throat.
go outside, get some fresh air. sleep lots. coldFX if you must, but that's a last resort. @ghys - you don't get a cold by being cold. what you wear outside has nothing to do with anything. you get a cold the same way you catch any other virus.
I always end up taking 12hr pseudeophedrine so I sleep well at night without having to blow my nose or deal with nasal drainage.
With the current economy staying home sick is not an option, so unless you are so sick that you can't reach school / uni / work somehow you will have to go. I'd say go see a doctor and get him to prescribe some med's that actually help, not the weak crap that you can buy without a prescription.
