Cold Prevention and Precaution Tips

The winter has secretly given alarm of dipping temperature, dampening air amalgamated with pollutants. Common cold also causes 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 air pollutants in the environment.

Symptoms

There are many signs and symptoms of a cold. Cold symptoms worsen among the elderly, children, and people with asthma, allergies, pulmonary diseases, and diabetes.  Symptoms also become chronic in obstructive pulmonary disease patients. A few of the essential 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

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 favourable common cold reason. The polluted air irritates the nasal passage and also causes inflammation. Viruses and bacteria play pivotal roles in this infection. Viruses are present in an infected person’s nasal discharge or sputum that can spread to another person. Handshaking also spread the virus. If one gets attacked cold, it may continue for 3 to 10 days. Some of the essential 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 the temperature fluctuates. Common colds can be prevented by taking some simple precautions. Here, a list of cold precautions tips are given.

• Sudden cold exposure should be avoided. More and more precautions must be taken with children and older adults. 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 walks may be restricted at the initial onset of a cold.
• Keep yourself warm by wearing warm lower, inner, and socks.
• A warm bath should be preferred.
• One should avoid fried foods, pickles, chutney, and 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 essential.
• Try to keep yourself away from an infected, familiar, cold person.
• Touching your nose, eyes, and mouth should be avoided.
• Wash your hands frequently because hands are a suitable carrier for the virus.
• The kitchen, home, and 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

If proper prevention is not taken at the onset of a cold, there is a greater probability of a spurt of respiratory problems and infections. Cold airs leave you wheezing, sneezing, coughing, and other bronchial issues. Get the Top 13 prevention tips for colds:

• Children and the Elderly should be vaccinated against pneumonia and flu.
• Steam inhalation.
• Yoga practices such as Pranayama, Jalneti, and Sutraneti, when practising 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 helps 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 in preventing 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 preventing 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 colds, 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 ease chest congestion. Yogic Kriyas such as Jalneti and Sutraneti help to cleanse the nasal passage and remove mucus from the sinuses. Taking vegetable soup and drinking a mix of water and lemon is also beneficial in overcoming the cold. Eating honey and ginger (1 or 2 tsp) twice daily helps treat a cold. Taking the combination of cinnamon, pepper, and love lessens throat inflammation. Homeopathic medicines such as Aconite napellus, Allium cepa, Arsenicum album, Belladonna, Bryonia, and Ferrum phosphoricum are helpful in the prevention of colds. Mixing honey and lemon (1 tsp of each) with lukewarm water is an effective home remedy for cold treatment. Eating onion and honey is suitable for controlling colds. To prevent the recurrence of cold, it is suggested that one should use a mix of gooseberry juice and ginger (1 tsp each).  One may also take the combination of black pepper, curd, and sugar daily. 

Older adults are vulnerable to cold

Older adults are highly vulnerable to the common cold. During winter, the immune system gets weakened. On the other hand, dipping in temperature and cold triggers many respiratory problems and illnesses, especially problematic for asthma and bronchitis people. In winter, more elderly deaths are reported as blood vessels are constricted, which increases cardiovascular risk and is one of the essential factors in older adults dying. Cold winter also reduces oxygen flow to the heart due to lesser expansion of arteries, which may lead to heart failure and is generally seen in aged people. Diabetic and cancer patients are also vulnerable to the cold season. So, getting vaccinated and consulting your doctor at the onset of a cold is best.