Cold Prevention and Precaution Tips

The winter has secretly given alarm of dipping temperature, dampen air amalgamated with pollutants. Common cold also invites many respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, sneezing, running nose, nasal congestion, throat irritation, and trouble breathing. All these common cold ailments are further exaggerated by increasing the level of air pollutants in the environment.

Common cold symptoms

There are many signs and symptoms of a cold. Cold symptoms are worsening among the elderly, children, and people who are suffering from asthma, allergies, pulmonary diseases, and diabetes.  Symptoms also become chronic with obstructive pulmonary disease patients. A few of the important common cold symptoms are given below:

• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Severe wheezing
• Chest pain
• Chest discomfort
• Yellow sputum
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Bronchitis
• Nose congestion
• Fever
• Body ache and muscle tone
• Eye irritation
• Watery eyes
• Nasal allergy

Common cold causes

Temperature drop along with an increase in the level of pollutants with the heavy presence of sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere is the favorable common cold reason. The polluted air irritated the nasal passage and also causes inflammation. Viruses and bacteria to play pivotal roles in this infection. Viruses are present in the nasal discharge of an infected person or in his/her sputum that can spread to another person. Handshaking also spread the virus. If one gets attack cold, it may continue for 3 to 10 days. Some of the important common cold reasons are:

• Sudden exposure to cold
• Heavy pollutants and dampness in the air
• A sudden drop in temperature
• Rhinoviruses
• Coronaviruses
• Virus transmission through air and cough
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Allergy
• Pollen, perfume, spray, animal dander, etc.
• Come in contact with an infected person

Winter diseases

• Common cold
• Various respiratory diseases
• Flu
• Pneumonia
• Chronic Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Common cold precautions tips

Changes in the weather are not in people’s hands. So, the utmost precautions should be taken while temperature fluctuates. Common cold can be prevented by taking some simple precautions. Here, are the list of cold precautions tips are given.

• Sudden cold exposure should be avoided. More and more precautions must be taken with children and old people. Aged people and children are the most vulnerable group infected with cold easily.
• Cold kinds of stuff such as ice-cream, cold drinks, etc. shouldn’t be taken.
• Early morning and evening walk may be restricted at the initial onset of a cold.
• Keep yourself warm by wearing warm lower, inner, and socks.
• A warm bath should prefer.
• One should avoid fried foods, pickles, chutney, all sour recipes.
• Avoid heavy meals instead one should take meals at regular intervals.
• Freshly prepared food should be taken
• Regular and nutritious meals are important.
• Try to keep yourself away from an infected common cold person.
• Touching your nose, eyes and mouth is should be avoided.
• Wash your hand frequently because hands act as a suitable carrier for the virus.
• The kitchen, home, a bathroom should be neat and clean. Disinfectants should be used while cleaning the floors.
• Excessive cold or heat should be avoided.

Common cold prevention tips

At the onset of a cold, if proper preventions are not taken, there is a greater probability of a spurt of respiratory problems and infections. Cold airs leave you wheezing, sneezing, coughing, and many other bronchial problems. Get the Top 13 prevention tips for cold are:

• Children and the Elderly should be vaccinated against pneumonia and flu.
• Steam inhalation.
• Yoga practices such as Pranayama, Jalneti, Sutraneti when practicing regularly, prevent sinus congestion & mucus formation, cleanse the nasal passage and prevent cold inflammation.
• Vegetable soup is good in cold and low-temperature conditions.
• To release phlegm, olive oil can be used in the nostrils.
• Ginger tea is highly beneficial in preventing cold.
• Chewing Tulsi leaves is also effective.
• Hot spice tea is preferred.
• The mix of lemon, honey, and a glass of warm water if taken helps to fight cold.
• Eating the mix of honey and onion prevents cold.
• Taking lemon or lemon juice is beneficial in the prevention of cold.
• Garlic is also helpful to prevent cold, so, one should take garlic soup
• Using pure mustard oil in your nostrils with your fingers just after a bath is highly beneficial in the prevention of colds and cold-related illnesses.

Common cold remedies and natural treatment

Cold can be treated naturally. There are many natural treatment methods, which prevent and control cold. Herbal and home remedies are also helpful in fighting against cold, sneezing, wheezing, respiratory problems, etc.

Regular practices of Yoga are helpful in the prevention and control of the common cold. Pranayama helps to open nasal passages, clear sinuses, facilitate breathing, and eases chest congestion. Yogic Kriyas such as Jalneti and Sutraneti helps to cleanse the nasal passage and remove mucus from the sinuses. Taking vegetable soup and drinking the mix of water and lemon is also beneficial in overcoming cold. Eating a mix of honey and ginger (1 or 2 tsp) twice a day is helpful in treating a cold. Taking the combination of cinnamon, pepper and honey lessens throat inflammation. Homeopathic medicine such as Aconite napellus, Allium cepa, Arsenicum album, Belladonna, Bryonia, and Ferrum phosphoricum are helpful in the prevention of cold. The mix of honey and lemon (1 tsp of each) with lukewarm water is an effective home remedy in the treatment of a cold. Eating onion and honey is good for controlling of cold. To prevent the recurrence of cold, it is suggested that one should use a mix of gooseberry juice and ginger (1 tsp each).  At day time, one may also take the mix of black pepper, curd, and sugar. 

Old people vulnerable to cold

Old people are extremely vulnerable to the common cold. During winter, the immune system gets weaken. On the other hand, dipping in temperature, cold triggers many respiratory problems and illnesses especially become problematic to asthma and bronchitis people. In winter more elderly deaths are reported as blood vessels are constricted, which increases cardiovascular risk and one of the important factors of old people die. Cold winter also reduces the flow of oxygen to the heart due to lesser expansion of arteries that may lead to heart failures and generally seen in aged people. Diabetic and cancer patients are also vulnerable to the cold season. So, it is advisable to get vaccinated and consult your doctor at the onset of a cold.