How To Avoid the Common Cold

In Sanskrit language, the common cold is referred to as 'Jala dhosham' - a problem caused on account of water. Water - inappropriate consumption, inadequate consumption, or reasons associated with water - is the primarily cause of common cold. Curing it also surprisingly has a connection with water. Here are a few things you can learn to avoid catching the common cold.

1. Consume adequate water: Make sure that you drink adequate amounts of water (particularly if you are living in a hot climate). How can you tell if your water consumption is adequate or not? Your urination will give the indication.
   • If you pass urine in very short quantity with very long gaps between urination, you need more water.
   • If your urine color is too yellowish or if you feel a hot sensation or irritation when you pass urine, you need to drink more water.

   Increase your water intake.

2. Consume water immediately during/after any outing in the sun: If you have to roam around in hot sun (say a long driving on a two-wheeler), always carry a bottle of water with you. If your throat longs for water, consume it immediately. If you do not have water in hand, at least consume water the moment you reach a place.

   Do not drink chilled water at that time! Though drinking chilled water would be what you would love to, it is always better to drink unchilled water after an outing in the sun. In fact, consuming chilled water immediately after a hot outing paves the ways for getting sore throat and consequently catching cold! Consuming chilled bottled drinks may also lead to catching cold!

3. Consume water after an outing in cold: Warm water drunk after a cold outing will be soothing to the throat and will help you avoid catching cold. Do not drink water too hot!
4. Consume water in excess if you have a sore throat: Perhaps after giving a long lecture, you feel a sore throat coming on. Drink water immediately. Warm water may be of added benefit. Consume the water little by little, sipping from the glass; let the water thoroughly wet your throat and also soothe it. Suppose you feel a dry throat or throat irritation at midnight when you are half asleep. Discard your laziness and get up! Go and drink a full glass of water, sipping little by little.

   If your sore throat persists, keep sipping water more and more frequently. Sore throat is generally another indication of the body asking for more water. An excess consumption of water under such circumstances will be quite justified. You can practically see that sore throat diminishes faster and onset of cold is retarded by the consumption of water.

5. Avoid roaming in extreme climatic changes: Avoid roaming in hot sun, or while raining, or while the climate is too chill if you are wearing inappropriate and inadequate clothing. If you have to go in and out of air-conditioned rooms frequently, it is better that your AC is kept less severe.
6. Avoid highly polluted or dusty environment: Do not expose yourself too long to unfamiliar ambience where there is excess smoke, dust, odor, etc. You must know that a person who is long used to specific environmental conditions will not as readily get a cold owing to the ambience. But a new person to the ambience is likely to get affected.