Common Cold: The most common ailment

Common cold

Common cold is the most common ailment seen in people. Almost all of us have common cold multiple times in a year.  

Let us learn more about this common ailment that affects our daily routine leaving us sick and irritated.

 

Common cold or flu is caused by viral infection. 
Fever, Sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, headache, body ache, fatigue and burning nasal membranes are the symptoms of common cold.

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Common cold is one of the major symptom seen in almost all the respiratory tract infections caused by viruses. Sometimes it differs from flu which has distinct difference and severity from a common cold. Generally, common cold is a self-limited disease which goes away on its own without any medications. Using over-the-counter drugs can relieve the symptoms of common cold and relax a person.

Causes of common cold:

Common cold is mostly caused by viruses. There are many viruses that cause common cold in humans but the rhinoviruses are the major ones out of them.

Common cold is transmitted by droplet infection. It can spread from one person to another through air and close contact with the infected person

Risk factors:

Age: children are more prone to contract cold infections than the adults.

Close contact: persons who come in contact with a person having common cold easily catches the infection through droplets in air.

Germs or viruses of cold adheres to hands and objects of the infected person and when the same things are used by someone else, there are chances of catching common cold.

Season: common cold is often seen in colder climate

Smoking: common cold may be seen more in smokers than non-smokers.

Low immunity: persons with weak immune system are susceptible to common cold infections.

Signs and symptoms of common cold:

It takes few days to weeks to catch common cold. The symptoms may run for week or less.

IT affects the nose and throat, head and body.

Symptoms of common cold are as such:

1. Runny nose, inflamed nasal mucosa, redness of the nostrils, watery nasal discharge, post nasal secretion drop in the pharynx, watery to thick nasal secretions, loss of smell, taste,etc.
2. Feverish feeling, or presence of fever, Chest discomfort, feeling of congestion, coughing, difficulty in breathing etc. may be seen.
3. Watery eyes, headache, sinus pain, mental irritability, fatigue, weakness and body aches including general body pain.

See the doctor in case:     

•  The fever does not subside
•   Presence of swollen and painful lymph nodes
•   Difficulty in breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath
•   Severe nasal blockage or congestion
•   Ear pain or discharge
•   Severe sinus pain
•   Severe fatigue or weakness

Treatment:

§      Normally common cold requires no added medical intervention. Rest, home remedies and use of nasal decongestant balms can provide relief. The symptoms most often go away in a week to ten days.  If the symptoms trouble the person more, he must take over the counter medications. Oral decongestants can be prescribed in severe cases.

Healthy tips/Home remedies COMMON COLD:

• Vaporizer balms prove to be helpful in providing relief from blocked nose.
• Having Ginger-Tulsi tea also relaxes the muscles of head and helps in treating the sore throat and cough. It also relieves headache.
• Using eucalyptus oil can relieve headache and relieve common cold
• Take steam inhalation. Add carom seeds or ajwain and camphor tablet to a jug or bowl of hot water. Now take deep breath inhaling strong vapours. Cover your head with a towel while taking inhalation.
• Rest adequately. Keep yourself warm. Warmth helps in providing considerate amount of relief during common cold.
• Avoid having chilled beverages. Take hot immunity-boosting beverages only. Have warm soups and semi-solid diet.
• Intake of plenty fluids.
• Keep yourself isolated from others to prevent spread of infection
• Use saline nasal drops. Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to get quick relief.
• Salt water gargles help in relieving sore throat and sticky mucus.

Common cold is self-limited common ailment which lasts only for few days to a week. Seeking Ayurveda medicine can also prove to be useful as there are good results of the ayurvedic medications and which have no side-effects.

Note: This post is for informational and educational purpose only, It is not a substitute to any medical or professional advice or treatment. See your doctor in any case.