Female: Dr. Mom has been practicing medicine for over 30 years and has raised two children. She has learned that people sometimes need both the knowledge of a doctor and the comfort of a mom. Today, Dr. Mom shares some tips for fighting colds and flu symptoms.
Dr. Mom: Although colds and flu are caused by different viruses, they have many symptoms in common regardless of whether you get a cold or have the flu. Here are some ways to feel better faster.
There are a couple of basic things you can do to speed your recovery from cold and flu. First, drink lots of water. When you have a cold or a cough, you can get dehydrated without realizing it. Drinking water throughout the day will make you feel better. Also, drinking water makes your mucus flow more freely. Second, get lots of rest. Being well-rested helps your body fight off the illness and if you are running around all day, it will take longer to recover. So give yourself permission to get the rest you need even if it means sleeping longer than usual.
Also, if you have a cold or the flu, make sure to avoid dairy products like milk or cheese which increase mucus production. Chicken soup has been heralded as a cold therapy since the famous 12th century physician, Moses Maimonides prescribed it to patients. Sipping hot chicken soup can really help clear up congestion. In fact, many of the traditional ingredients in chicken soup are natural versions of the cough medicines and expectorants commonly sold in the pharmacies. The bottom line is your mom was right.
Chicken soup is one of the best therapies for a cold or flu. If your throat is soar and scratchy, try gargling every two hours or so with warm saltwater. Salt relieves your discomfort by killing bacteria and reducing swelling but it does not treat the underlying illness. If you have a fever over 100 degrees or are experiencing achiness, try taking a low dosage of Tylenol, which is known generically as Acetaminophen. Tylenol is an effective pain reliever and fever reducer. Tylenol is not the same as Aspirin but whenever I mention analgesics, I would like to remind people never to give Aspirin to children as it can cause a serious illness called “Reye’s Syndrome”.
In my next segment, I will look at the over the counter treatments available and help you decide what is best for you. In the meantime, I hope these tips help you and your family feel better. Remember, if your symptoms do not go away after a couple of days, make sure to see your doctor. I am Dr. Mom and thanks for listening.
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