How to get rid of the dreaded Christmas cold quicker 

by Jacob Fuller

Trey Paul, FISM News 

 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … until you or your family members come down with the dreaded and highly annoying Christmas cold.

Of course, it’s possible to catch a cold at any time of year, but they’re most common in the fall and winter. If you’re tired of coughing and sneezing and want to speed up recovery time, keep reading.

More than 200 viruses can cause a cold according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Studies show that adults will have an average of 2-3 colds per year and kiddos will usually catch more.

If you’re rocking a Christmas cold instead of rocking around the Christmas tree, the good news is that your symptoms will typically peak in 2-3 days. Older folks may see them hanging around a little longer, especially if they have pre-existing health conditions.

The cold hard truth is no medicine or home remedy can cure a common cold. However, there is some medical research and evidence that suggests certain vitamins and supplements may help speed up recovery time or prevent you from developing a cold in the first place.

Whether you have a cold or not, some of you may want to stock up on vitamin D and start taking it now so you’ll be cold-free in 2023. According to a study published in “The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene,” if you’re not getting enough sunlight or have a vitamin D deficiency, taking a vitamin D supplement could prevent you from getting a cold. Researchers also found it can help boost your immune system.

Another global collaborative study featured in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), showed that taking vitamin D helped protect against acute respiratory infections.

Chances are you’ve heard vitamin C helps with a cold in some way, shape, or form because it’s been studied for so many years.

Most studies show vitamin C won’t prevent you from getting a cold, but it could shorten the amount of time you’re sick.

One study published in the “National Library of Medicine” concluded that there is some evidence that shows taking vitamin C regularly reduces the duration of colds. If you want to skip taking vitamin C in a tablet form, just make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits.

Most everyone knows oranges are high in vitamin C, but kiwis, strawberries, papayas, lemons, cantaloupes, mangos, grapefruits, and pineapples are also great sources of the immune-boosting vitamin. The granddaddy of them all is guava, which packs nearly double the vitamin C per fruit of the average orange.

ECHINACEA FOR A SHORTER COLD

If you want to know just how much sick time will be shaved off of your cold duration, one older study on echinacea in “The Lancet Infectious Diseases” answers that question. Researchers found the herbal supplement may reduce the length of your cold by 1.4 days. Echinacea is a flowering plant that has been used as medicine for centuries.

It’s important to note that some side effects can be associated with most vitamins and supplements, so it’s always best to check with your doctor to learn more before you start a regimen. You may also want to talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking any medications for colds. Also, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements and herbal remedies.

If you’re wondering what role antibiotics play in helping with a cold, just know that they don’t. Antibiotics will not cure a cold, because colds are viral, not bacterial. Antibiotics are prescribed if you have a bacterial infection.

The bottom line, there is no one way get to instantly rid of a cold or totally prevent it. The most simple ways to ease your symptoms or shorten your illness include drinking plenty of water and getting plenty of rest.

Thankfully, a cold will usually go away on its own, but if you’re still feeling lousy after 10 days you should call the doctor.

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