7 December 2018
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog

Cold treatments always involve some sort of medication that may help you breathe, but then you feel like your head is under water all the time. Maybe you have to take two different cold medicines, because you cannot find just one that addresses all of your symptoms, or maybe the one medicine that addresses all of the symptoms also has a sleep aid in it. That certainly does not help you during the day! If you have had enough of cold medicines to last you a long time, but you still need relief from your cold, here are a few other cold treatments and home remedies you can try.

Steam

​Steam baths and saunas are great for congestion. Not only do you sweat out the virus that causes the common cold, but you also get a lot of good, warm moisture into your sinuses and lungs, where it helps break up sticky mucus. Steam is commonly used for kids with croup, too, and it is very effective. A soak in a hot tub might help, but it is the steam you really need. If you do not own or have access to a sauna, close your bathroom door, turn the hot water faucets on full blast, and wait for the steam to accumulate in the room. Sit in the steam at least twenty minutes; longer if you can stand it and if your hot water heater can produce enough hot water for it.

Exercise

​Sure, you feel awful, and the last thing you want to do is exercise, but exercise can actually make your cold go away faster. It boosts your immune system so that your immune system can fight the virus. Exercise boosts your mood and clears your head, too, which will make your head cold feel less annoying and make you feel more energetic. Exercise also works the large muscles in the body that are frequently affected by viruses, and which feel run down and fatigued when you are sick. Even a brisk walk around the block can help.

Vitamins B and C

​Vitamins belonging to the B group and vitamin C both boost the immune system, strengthen nerves, and provide you with more natural energy. The B vitamins especially help you feel as though your head is not quite so stuffed, and your brain/thoughts will not feel quite so cloudy. Having a clear head, even if it only just feels that way, helps improve your outlook, too.