What helps against a cold?
and Christiane Fux, medical editorSophie Matzik is a freelance writer for the medical team.
More about the expertsChristiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.
More posts by Christiane Fux All content is checked by medical journalists.Colds are harmless in most cases, but they are quite annoying. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to alleviate your discomfort. Read here which measures and medications are effective against the various cold symptoms, which tips you can take to heart if you have a cold and when it is better to see a doctor.
ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. J00J06J11
Relieve cold symptoms
The question "What to do about a cold?" Arises especially in the winter months. Adults get a flu-like infection around two to five times a year. Small children even up to ten times.
If you have a cold, you want to get rid of your cold quickly. But special drugs that directly fight the cold virus are not available. The body has to deal with them on its own - and this usually takes about a week.
However, you can alleviate cold symptoms such as runny nose, cough, sore throat, fatigue or even a slight fever with various measures. And there are a few things you can do to ensure that the cold doesn't drag on longer than necessary.
Cold symptoms such as runny nose, cough and fever can also indicate a Sars-CoV-2 infection. To be on the safe side, isolate yourself and let your doctor advise you over the phone whether you should have me tested!
Take care of yourself!
If you have a cold, you quickly feel tired and tired. Your body signals to you that it needs rest to deal with the pathogens. Listen to him! Otherwise there is a risk of dragging on the cold. Children with a cold should also take it easy. You don't necessarily have to be in bed. However, bed rest is advisable if you feel very dull or suffer from severe cold symptoms.
Walking if you have a cold
Resting does not mean that you have to forego exercise altogether. A daily walk in the fresh air can help heal the common cold. When it's cold, you should dress warmly!
Do not do sport!
Avoid physical exertion and sport if you have a cold! Otherwise the pathogens can spread to the heart and cause inflammation of the heart muscles (myocarditis) or the pericardium (pericarditis). This can lead to permanent damage such as heart failure or even be life-threatening.
Do you drink much!
If you have a cold, it is important that you drink plenty of fluids. Water or tea are ideal. This keeps the irritated mucous membranes of the respiratory tract moist. This relieves the discomfort and helps the body fight the viruses. Painful, stubborn coughs also work better if you drink a lot when you have a cold.
If you have a fever, it is particularly important to keep your body hydrated. The body then loses through sweating and accelerated breathing increases fluid. He also needs additional water for the activated metabolic and immune system.
Which drinks for a cold?
Herbal teas such as chamomile, sage, mint or special cold mixes are particularly suitable for a cold. The active plant substances contained in it soothe the mucous membranes and, thanks to the rising steam, act like a light inhalation.
Hot lemon soothes the throat, loosens the mucus and also contains vitamin C.
With a cold with a sore throat, hot milk with honey will help. But be careful: babies are not allowed to have honey! The bacteria it contains can cause so-called infant botulism, which is life-threatening.
No alcohol if you have a cold
Even if some swear by “home remedies” such as warm beer: Alcohol is not a good idea if you have a cold. It puts additional strain on the body and can weaken the immune system even further.
Inhale!
Inhalation also ensures that the airways are well moistened. Inhaling relieves the most important cold symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny nose and also a possible sinus infection.
To do this, dissolve a few spoons of table salt in boiling water and inhale the rising steam. To do this, cover the head and bowl with a towel so that as much steam as possible gets into the airways.
Inhalations mixed with essential oils are said to be particularly effective. For example, chamomile, mint or eucalyptus are possible.
Who has to be careful when inhaling
However, inhalation is not suitable for everyone. Inhalation can have adverse effects on people with inflammatory skin conditions, low blood pressure, or other circulatory problems.
Asthmatics should not inhale essential oils through inhalation devices. These then get particularly deep into the lungs and can irritate them.
Pregnant women shouldn't inhale essential oils either - they can promote premature labor.
How to inhale correctly and what to watch out for can be found in our article "Inhalation".
Cold medication
If you have a cold, you don't have to torment yourself unnecessarily. Medication can significantly alleviate the various symptoms of the common cold. But you cannot cure the common cold. For example, antibiotics are useless in the case of a classic cold - they only work against bacteria and not against viruses.
Nasal drops
Nasal drops with special active ingredients (such as xylometazoline, phenylephrine) cause the mucous membranes to swell, making it easier to breathe. However, you should not use the drops for more than a week. Otherwise there is a risk that the body will get used to the substances, the nasal mucous membrane will be damaged and you will have trouble breathing without a nasal spray.
This restriction does not apply to nasal sprays based on a saline solution (seawater nasal spray). You can use these for a long time without any problems.
Pain medication and fever reducers
For headaches and body aches, you can use acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol or ibuprofen. These active ingredients not only work well against inflammation and pain, but also reduce fever. They are offered in different dosage forms. Do not exceed the specified maximum dosage. Otherwise there is a risk of liver damage!
Many children find it difficult to swallow pills. Suppositories, syrup and juice are particularly suitable for them. You should always discuss the use with a pediatrician, especially with small children. Acetylsalicylic acid in particular can be dangerous for young children!
Cough suppressants
There are two types of cough suppressants: expectorants and cough suppressants:
- You take expectorants for so-called productive coughs. They make it easier to cough up mucus from the lungs.
- Cough suppressants help with irritable cough without sputum. They should not be taken if the airways are congested, otherwise the mucus cannot be coughed up properly.
Essential oils also have a relieving effect on coughs and colds when rubbed onto the chest and back.
Zinc supplements
When the first symptoms of a cold show up, zinc can help. The trace element cannot completely stop the onset of a cold, but studies have shown that it can reduce the duration of the cold.
However, some people experience nausea and changes in their taste when they take zinc. In addition, you should not ingest zinc through the nose, as it can permanently affect the sense of smell. A benefit for children has also not been proven.
Vitamin C supplements
A good supply of vitamin C is important for a functioning immune system. Vitamin preparations seem to have only a minor effect - both preventively (only in the case of intense physical exertion or severe cold) and in the event of an acute infection. It makes more sense to eat a diet rich in vitamins.
Homeopathy and Schuessler salts
Many patients also rely on homeopathic globules for colds, others on the so-called Schuessler salts. So far it has not been scientifically proven whether they actually help with colds. You can find more about this in our overview "Homeopathy for Colds".
Eating with a cold
In the case of acute illness, food cannot work miracles. With the right diet, however, you can increase your well-being and support your immune system in fighting off cold germs.
Fasting can help
Anyone who catches a bad cold usually has little or no appetite. You don't have to force yourself to eat - eating little for a short time or fasting can be very helpful in the event of illness. The body can then - instead of putting energy into digestion and fending off germs from food - concentrate on fighting the cold viruses.
Fasting also stimulates the process of so-called autophagy. In this "self-digestion program", the body removes cell debris - and this includes dead cells and remains of dead viruses. After the big cleanup, the immune defense and metabolism work all the better again.
Light food
If the appetite returns, light food is recommended. Above all, this means: not too high in fat. Even raw vegetables and whole grain products, which are otherwise very recommendable, are often heavy in the stomach for the sick.
Instead, eat easily digestible foods such as porridge, steamed vegetables or soup.
chicken soup
Most often, if you have a cold, chicken soup is recommended. The warm liquid is easy to swallow and soothes a sore throat. It also contains various substances that can strengthen the immune system: vitamins from the vegetables cooked at the same time, but also protein building blocks such as cysteine and carnosine, which dampen inflammation processes and protect the body's cells.
Vitamin & Co .: Food for the immune system
Some foods are considered to be particularly helpful for the immune system. For example, they contain antioxidants that can scavenge harmful oxygen radicals.
Fruit and fruit juices in particular are therefore popular with cold patients - and rightly so. In addition to vitamins, they also contain phytochemicals such as polyphenols. Other substances that are important for the immune system are found in foods of animal origin.
- Vitamin C is found mainly in citrus fruits, berries, elderberries, kiwis, peppers and broccoli.
- Zinc is found in oatmeal, fish, milk, and cheese.
- Folate is found in kale, broccoli, lamb's lettuce, and chicken eggs and offal.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory. They are found in fish and rapeseed oil, among other things.
Tips for a cold
The following tips will provide you with additional helpful measures for dealing with a cold.
Increase humidity
Heating air quickly dries out the mucous membranes. Make sure there is good humidity in the room. For example, wet towels that you hang up in the room or a bowl of water on the heater can help. Regular ventilation also supports a good indoor climate.In addition, the virus load in the room air is reduced.
Avoid cigarette smoke
With a cold, the mucous membranes in the nose and throat are heavily stressed. Therefore, avoid anything that irritates you additionally. Above all, this includes cigarette smoke or exhaust fumes.
Keeping warm when you have a cold
If you go outside with a cold, be sure to dress warmly when the temperature is low! A scarf over the mouth protects the airways. Cold air irritates them and also provokes a cough. In addition, the blood vessels in the mucous membranes contract, which reduces blood flow. As a result, there are fewer immune cells on site and the mucous membrane is susceptible to further pathogens.
Sleep with your upper body up
If you have a cold, sleep with your upper body elevated. This frees the mucous membranes and allows you to breathe more easily. This will help you sleep better, feel fitter in the morning and support your immune system.
wash your hands
If you have a cold, pay particular attention to hygiene. Wash your hands regularly - ideally after each time you blow your nose. In this way you can avoid infecting other people or infecting yourself with new pathogens. Always dispose of used handkerchiefs immediately.
Sneeze and cough in the crook of your arm
Instead of your hand, you should sneeze and cough in the crook of your arm. Otherwise, countless viruses will stick to your hands immediately, and you will distribute them everywhere.
Sniffing instead of blowing your nose
There are some arguments in favor of simply pulling up the nasal mucus. Because the increased pressure when blowing your nose makes viruses more likely to get into the paranasal sinuses. In addition, the pulled up mucus is swallowed together with the viruses and the germs are killed by the stomach acid.
Clear ears
If you have a cold, the eustachian tube can swell or become blocked. It connects the throat with the ear and is necessary for pressure equalization. If this does not work, the ear feels "closed", you can only hear muffled and it can be painful. The risk of otitis media also increases.
First measures are then yawning or swallowing. If that is not enough, warmth can help - for example, a warming pad on the ear. If the pain is severe or the symptoms persist, an ENT doctor should examine the ear.
Home remedies for colds
There are all kinds of home remedies for the various complaints that afflict those affected by a cold. They range from various teas to onion stock for coughs to leg wraps for fever.
Home remedies are often used by patients who do not want to take conventional medicine to combat the symptoms straight away. Many of them have helped generations of patients.
If you want to know what home remedies are for cold symptoms and how to use them, read the article here: Home remedies for colds.
