Common Cold Treatments

March 20th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under
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Is there a cure for the common cold? Because of the number of viruses that can cause symptoms I don’t think so. Everyone has their favorite remedy and when they don’t work they often come to me for a “Z-Pack” for their sinuses.

Tim Ferriss has recently addressed this issue on his blog. Tim wrote the best selling book The 4 Hour Work Week. I read his article and left a comment. About 100 of his readers beat me the task.

Here are the things I think can make a difference.

  • Get adequate rest - a stressed body with high cortisol levels is a culture medium for viruses and bacteria
  • Eat nutritiously. Lots of water - 2 quarts per day - keeps your brain functioning better and your membranes wetter. We swallow a quart of thin mucus each day. You know how thick it gets when you are sick. Drink more water!
  • Make sure you get some additional Vitamin D3. I have written an article on this blog about this. 1000 international units (I.U.) per day really helps the immune system.
  • Keep your hands clean - alcohol gel works best to keep unwanted germs away
  • Clean your nose by using a saline spray. I use one preprepared but one option is this kit. You have to clean this well between uses. I am lazy and will just spend $1.75 each time I have a cold.
  • Don’t get antibiotics unless you have been sick 10 days, have a fever with face pain or are blowing out large quantities of blood tinged mucopus from your nose.

What do you do for your cold symptoms? I would love to hear what has worked and what your experience with your health care providers has been. Leave me a note in the comments.

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There Are 4 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Debbie Krueger on 20 March 2008:

    These are great tips!!! I have found that irrigating my nose durng the pollen season is also beneficial. In the past I had sinus infections several times a year which required antibiotics. Since I’ve been irrigating my nose with the saline spray during this season I haven’t been on antibiotics or seen a doctor for a sinus infection in over a year. What are your comments on this Bruce? I also follow most of the above advice and haven’t had a cold to speak about either but I find it hard to drink the required water as I think most people would agree.

  2. Comment by Bruce Bair on 20 March 2008:

    Debbie,
    That is a great testimony to irrigation and use of appropriate supplements. Even if you don’t drink all the recommended water the fact that you drink it at all is very good. So many people only drink soda or other fluids with high fructose corn syrup. These harm you in a number of ways and one is mild dehydration. Keep up the good work.

  3. Comment by CJSmith on 22 April 2008:

    Does anyone have any info on Methadone clinics? I believe someone very close to me is going to a clinic for this drug..saying is trying to “kick the habit” …do these clinics really work? or do they prolong the addiction?

  4. Comment by CJSmith on 22 April 2008:

    Does anyone have any info on Methadone clinics? I believe someone very close to me is going to a clinic for this drug..claiming they are trying to “kick the habit” …do these clinics really work -for two years - went for help last year at the Drug Addiction Clinc at Duke for over 8 months with meds and therapy meetings once a week - Now he is going to this clinic?

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