Constant cold and no end – especially in winter many know this problem. Antibiotics are not a solution. These tips help against any persistent infection.
Symptoms like cough and runny nose have high season every winter. First of all, we spend more time indoors in winter, making it easier for viruses to jump from person to person.
And secondly, our body is now particularly prone to colds: the darkness lowers vitamin D production and weakens the immune system. And the cold dries out the mucous membranes and thus also lowers the body’s defenses directly in the path of entry of the pathogens, ie in the nose and throat.
Health has a hard time in winter
A stress that additionally weakens and makes vulnerable: The back and forth between indoor heating air and freezing temperatures outside of the house constantly causes new infections, whether it’s the cold or the flu.
Weakened immune system ensures permanent cold
And because our body is so strained, from a cold is unfortunately more and more frequently a chronic cold. A week usually takes our immune system to cope with the common cold virus. And these are actually responsible for 90 percent of respiratory infections.
The problem: Unfortunately no antibiotics help against viruses. Nevertheless, they are often prescribed, for example, to prevent bacterial infections and inflammation (such as pneumonia). However, an antibiotic does not make you faster in the case of a respiratory tract infection, and the symptoms are not alleviated. A research team from 12 countries found this out in a placebo-controlled study with more than 2,000 patients.
The best tips, so that the cold in the winter is not permanent cold
Drink
Anyone who has to fight with cough and runny nose, should take a lot of fluids. This dissolves the mucus and can be easily removed from the respiratory tract. Drink at least three liters a day, preferably water or herbal tea. Tees not only provide fluid, but also help soothe the throat and throat.
Especially suitable as cold-teas are thyme, ribwort or sage, as well as ginger, fennel and anise. You will find out in these articles how severe coughing and dry, irritating cough develop at all.
Chicken soup as a home remedy
Grandma has always known what is good: In case of chronic cold and flu, a plate of chicken soup helps especially well. Because it contains the protein cysteine - this makes the mucous membranes swell and reduces inflammation.
Do the washing up
For the first time, it might cost a little bit of overcoming – but a nasal rinse really helps with an infection. And perhaps even preventive: In a study at the University of Hannover, people who were flushing daily for six weeks had a much rarer cold.
Particularly well suited is a 0.9 percent saline solution. They are sterile and expensive at the pharmacy, but they can also be easily mixed: dissolve a pinch of table salt in a 0.2-liter glass with lukewarm water. Cooking is not necessary.
Fill the solution into a nebulizer and hold it in the nose. Put the head back slightly and spray the liquid into the nostril several times while inhaling. Repeat the procedure several times a day.
Inhale
Even warm vapors help to moisturize the respiratory tract and to clear mucus. For example, you can inhale with an infusion of chamomile flowers (anti-inflammatory), thyme leaves (dissolve the mucus) or essential oils with eucalyptus, peppermint and menthol (germicidal). Pour the dried plants in a bowl of hot water or add a few drops of oil to a bowl of hot water. Then put a towel over your head and bowl, bend over the water and inhale the steam.
Caution: Menthol is not suitable for children! In addition, you should always handle with water and bowl carefully to avoid burns.
Spraying, but in moderation
Decongesting sprays or drops often relieve the symptoms well and quickly. This can allow the rhinitis sufferers at night the much needed, restful sleep. But the active ingredients contained in the spray change the mucous membrane after a short time and can even permanently damage it. Continuous use can become dangerous as early as one week. Therefore you should not use spray or drops preventively.
Also important: Every member of the family should use their own spray to avoid delaying pathogens. And also for hygienic reasons you should not keep an open bottle until the next cold.
Gargle
Also throat and throat should be maintained with a permanent cold. Because especially when the cold lets us breathe only through the mouth, the throat area dries up very quickly and becomes susceptible to inflammation. To prevent this, it is best to gargle several times a day with a solution of one quarter of a liter of water and one teaspoon of salt.
Reel
The local disease defense also stimulate the good old warm wrap for chest and sore throat. Especially good against irritating cough act a few drops of lavender oil on the wrap.