Defeating the Common Cold

When I'm not sitting in front of my computer typing time away, I'm generally rushing around the hospital. I hustle from patient room to room, my mind racing through medication interactions, and scrambling to remember a fact or two about the multiple disease processes I learned in nursing school. Right now, I'm working on a medical overflow unit, so I see a bit of everything. It's stressful and busy, but I learn a lot. There seems to be something new and previously unheard of to me everyday. I certainly don't claim to be an expert, and no, I didn't go to medical school. Regardless, I'm here to share a bit about what I do know from my education and my career thus far.

This past week, I battled with something that everyone of us has struggled with from time to time. You wake up early in the morning, a full work day, and week, ahead of you. Your throat feels scratchy, your head so full of pressure it hurts to open your eyes, and your body experiences that 'wonderful' feeling of overall weakness and just plain cruminess that leaves you wondering how on earth you'll survive the hours ahead.

You're left with two options: fight through it, or visit the local pharmacy (potentially leaving you in medicinal haze for the remainder of the day). It's true, medication can help you cope and at times it's fantastic that we have the options we do in the grocery store aisle, but for those of us looking for some alternative options to try before a trip to the doctor, I'm here to mention the top five things I find work to help shorten the symptoms of the common cold, the natural way!

Chamomile: Chamomile itself has been found to have seemingly endless health benefits and has been used for human ailments since ancient times. Several studies have shown that chamomile tea may be effective when fighting the common cold. It can reduce inflammation and the essential oils in chamomile tea were found to have antimicrobial properties. As with nearly everything in the medical world, more research is still necessary to prove the true benefits of chamomile, but even if you don't find chamomile to help your cold symptoms, it most certainly relieves stress and promotes good digestive health.

Green Tea: There have now been several studies published which speak to green tea's antioxidant compounds, know as catechins. One of these is epigallocatechin gallate. Since that's quite the mouth full, it's also referred to as EGCg. One study estimes that the effectiveness of EGCg is roughly 100 times greater than vitamin C and 20 times greater than vitamin E in protecting the body's cells from free radical damage. Now that's radical.

When you're sick, your body's immune system kicks itself into action. While you may be dragging on the outside, the inside of your body is sending out all its defenses, going into battle against whatever terrible little virus has disrupted the body's healthy flow. You feel depleted as a result. At this point, rest is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your immune system. Some extra sleep can give your insides the strength they need to overcome the worst. Try sleeping with an extra pillow or two under your head as well. An elevated position when lying down can help with congestion.

So, if you can, hit the snooze and stay in bed.

Gargle your painful sore throat away (at least for a little while) by adding 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a 8-ounce glass of warm water. This is an inexpensive way to find temporary relief from an uncomfortable sore throat. Hot water with honey is another good option, the honey can help coat the throat leaving you feeling a little less miserable.

A New York Times article (find a link to this below), The Science of Chicken Soup , talks about the potential positive effects of a simple bowl of chicken soup when seeking relief from the common cold. It's a topic that's been talked about for a very long time. I'm sure the vast majority of us can remember a time when you were coughing and sneezing over the bowl of chicken soup your mother just placed in front of you for dinner. The reason for this steamy bowl of chicken broth and noodles? "Because you're sick." So is there truth behind the chicken soup madness? Dr. Rennard thought so.

"He conducted laboratory tests to determine why chicken soup might help colds, beginning with his wife’s homemade recipe, handed down by her Lithuanian grandmother. Using blood samples from volunteers, he showed that the soup inhibited the movement of neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cell that defends against infection. Dr. Rennard theorizes that by inhibiting the migration of these infection-fighting cells in the body, chicken soup essentially helps reduce upper respiratory cold symptoms."

Keeping yourself hydrated is always important, especially when you're sick. Plenty of water can flush out toxins, and help loosen congestion. It also prevents you from dehydration, which can lead an electrolyte imbalance causing further complications. Time for lots of water, water, and water and try to stay away from alcohol, coffee, and sugars which can inhibit good hydration.

Humidity is also helpful in loosening congestion and relieving that horrible feeling of pressure in your sinuses. Hot showers and a humidifier are great and easy options.

There's much more out there than what is mentioned in this article. Check it out for yourself here:

• Some more ideas for natural ways to treat the common cold!

Additional reading:

• Molecular Medicine Reports, Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future

• The Science of Chicken Soup