Ways to Overcome Symptoms

You probably know the symptoms: a strange feeling in the back of your throat, a sudden congestion, a sudden cough – these could be symptoms of a cold. Some people use the term “cold” because their symptoms primarily affect the nose, eyes, and throat. Cold is another name for the common cold.

A cold can last up to two weeks and there is no “cure”. While your immune system destroys the virus, it must let nature take its course. However, medications and natural treatments can help relieve symptoms and make you feel better.

This article discusses the symptoms of a cold, how to tell if your symptoms indicate a more serious illness, and offers strategies for managing symptoms if you’re not feeling well.

Do I have a cold or something else?

Cold symptoms are limited to the nose, eyes, and throat and include the following:

• Congestion or runny nose
• Itchy, sore throat
• Headache
• big watery eyes
• cough
• Postnasal drip (mucus dripping from the back of the throat)

A low-grade fever may also be a symptom, but most people will not have a fever with a cold head. Additionally, these symptoms may overlap with other conditions, such as COVID-19, allergies, or the flu. But how do you know if it’s a cold or something else?

• Coronavirus disease: A clear symptom of COVID-19 is a loss of smell. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, body aches, fever and chest pressure. Of course, please take a COVID-19 test.
• influenza: High fever (up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit), severe cough, and chest tightness are common symptoms of the flu. Sometimes, fatigue can be severe and last for weeks.
• allergy: Fever, body aches and fatigue do not occur with allergies. If you have asthma, you may experience chest discomfort.

How long do head cold symptoms last?

The typical duration of cold symptoms is about a week, although this can vary. Colds are divided into three stages, as follows:

• Incubation period: The first stage of a cold is the incubation period. This is the time between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms. For most colds, this time range is about 12-24 hours.
• Symptoms appear: In the second stage, symptoms appear. They get worse, peaking around the third day.
• Symptoms improved: In the third stage, symptoms gradually improve until they disappear. For most people, this takes about 7 to 10 days, but it may take longer depending on your age and health.

Sometimes mild symptoms, such as a persistent cough, may last up to three weeks.

How to beat a cold naturally

There is no vaccine or treatment for colds. Your body’s immune system is needed to fight off the virus. However, symptoms can be uncomfortable. Some people prefer to use natural remedies to control symptoms. Here are some things you can try at home to help yourself feel better:

• drink liquids: Liquid helps prevent nasal passages and throat from becoming too dry. They also help keep mucus thin so you can clear it from your nose more easily.
• Taking supplements and herbs: Vitamin C, zinc, echinacea, garlic, and honey are thought to help shorten the duration of colds. But there is no conclusive evidence to support this. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking supplements or taking more than the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals.
• Use a humidifier: Moist air helps loosen mucus. Humidifiers can increase the humidity of the air. You can also inhale steam from a bowl of hot water or a hot shower.

Cold and sinus medications

Natural remedies may relieve symptoms, but sometimes the following symptoms are so bothersome that you may need medication to feel more comfortable:

• headache or fever: Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) can relieve headaches and fevers. Only children under 6 months of age should take acetaminophen. Aspirin should never be given to children as it can cause Reye’s syndrome, which can lead to brain and liver damage.
• congestion: Decongestants relieve nasal congestion by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose. They come in pill form, such as Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), or as a nasal spray. Consult your healthcare provider before taking pseudoephedrine. It narrows blood vessels throughout the body, causing high blood pressure in some people.
• cough: A cough can keep you awake and interfere with sleep. Cough suppressants can help reduce coughing, while expectorants can dissolve mucus and make it easier for you to cough up.

Secondary infections caused by colds

When you have a cold, your sinuses may become swollen and inflamed. If this symptom persists for too long, you may develop a sinus infection, causing pressure and pain in your head and cheeks. A health care provider can perform a physical exam to determine if your sinuses are infected. If the cause is bacteria, your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics.

Other possible complications of a cold include:

Is your cold contagious?

You are most contagious and can spread your cold to others within the first two to three days of your cold, and you remain contagious as long as you have active symptoms (usually about a week). Once you feel better and don’t have any ongoing symptoms, such as congestion, cough, or runny nose, you are less likely to spread your cold to others.

The cold is not getting better

If your cold symptoms don’t improve after seven to 10 days, you may have an infection or other health problem. Call your healthcare provider if you:

• Difficulty breathing
• Fever that lasts more than four days
• Cough goes away and then comes back
• Exacerbation of chronic disease

generalize

People sometimes call the common cold a headache cold because the symptoms affect your head. Colds usually last seven to 10 days, but may last longer in older adults and young children. Some people rely on home remedies to manage cold symptoms; Others prefer medications for comfort and symptom relief. If your cold symptoms last more than 10 days or if your symptoms worsen over time, call your health care provider for additional testing and diagnosis.