Health Hacks

The Way Doctors Treat Their Own Colds At Home

When you are sick with a cold, you are miserable. Being tired, uncomfortable, and ready to feel better is overwhelming. Cold symptoms include a runny nose, cough, and congestion. Dr. Christopher Scuderi, a family physician, says you may also experience fatigue, sneezing, sinus pressure, and muscle soreness during this time.

Unfortunately, a magic pill cannot immediately cure your cold. However, experts say you can do some things at home to help yourself feel better during your illness – and many of these things don’t cost anything. Here’s how doctors treat colds at home:

Image Credit: Pexels/Valeria Boltneva & Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio

The Foods They Eat Are Nutritious

Dr. Dhaval Desai, the director of hospital medicine at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, believes the best approach to treating any viral infection is to give our body sufficient rest, hydrate properly, and consume adequate calories. He recommended high-protein foods (eggs, fish, chicken, Greek yogurt, peanut butter) and some carbs for energy.

Staying Hydrated Is Important To Them

Hydration is a crucial part of treating a cold. People have difficulty drinking enough water all the time and when they’re sick because most adults don’t drink enough water to begin with. Flores said to stay hydrated as much as you can while sick. Flores said drinking anything other than alcohol is excellent, noting that alcohol dehydrates.

Image Credit: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio

Their Coughs Are Soothed With Honey

According to Desai and Scuderi, a bit of honey can help suppress a cough. In studies, honey has been shown to reduce coughs in children and adults, but it’s only recommended for children over 1. When you feel sick, add honey to tea or oatmeal or swallow a spoonful of honey.

They Use A Humidifier That Produces Cool Mist

Flores says she gets into bed and turns on her cool-mist humidifier when sick. The use of cool-mist humidifiers is something I recommend to adults and children. Sleep is what you need with humidified nasal passages. Flores said, however, that if you have chronic health issues like asthma, lung disease, or heart disease, you should consult your doctor before using one of these machines.