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Does anyone have any tried and true, foolproof, works every time home remedy for a long lasting cold? I’ve had a cold that’s almost 4 weeks in the making and it’s beginning to drive me a bit crazy. Any ideas on how to cure myself?
Dermatologists hate her!
Vitamin C
4 weeks? That is concerning. Have you seen a doctor?
I agree with Popa. A typical cold should last less than a week. The remedies of a cold consist of the best way to deal with the cold rather than to get rid of it, which you can’t — other than in general boosting your immune system.
Yes I agree its time you see a doctor its prob not just a cold
rest, rest, rest. literally. you need more sleep than usual. healthier meals, inc. warm broth. tea, lemon. you should go back to your doc. for a checkup , a must.
PBA -“4 weeks? That is concerning. Have you seen a doctor?”
Good idea. It could be a secondary infection.
Viruses usually respond to Zinc. Also, a humidifier in your room helps.
there is no cure for the common cold. Only ways to alleviate symptoms or help your body stay strong. it’s interesting that posters are suggesting a doc. It cant hurt! But if you’re not unwell, just sniffly, you might have gotten over your first cold but caught a second one in the interim.
”remedies”-popular one is vitamin c tho im not sure overdosing is a great idea (tho rly thats to prevent catching a cold, not too helpful after the fact), staying well hydrated is important, rest, exercise but not overdoing it, hot drinks can help congestion, honey and lemon can help a sore throat, cold fresh air can help a stuffy head. In other words, be healthy 🙂
Viruses usually respond to Zinc. Also, a humidifier in your room helps.
They do. But also sometimes you lose your sense of smell.
If it’s been four weeks and you haven’t been re-infected with another cold, it may be a sinus infection. If so, use a neti pot, eat spicy foods, do some aerobic exercise or at least significant amounts of walking, and take ibuprofen several times a day.
Also, try eating raw garlic and foods with a lot of ginger. Make sure to get enough sleep.
And give some tzedakah, say some tehillim and spend a few minutes doing teshuvah — perhaps the cold is Hashem’s way of getting your attention regarding a particular issue you need to correct?
Don’t use zinc. It can cause you to lose your sense of smell permanently. (And much of your sense of taste)
“Just really congested that I haven’t been able to breath at all through one side of my nose.”
It’s most likely a sinus infection. These can last for weeks or even months, and they can make you feel awful all the time! Like I said before, learn how to use a neti pot (with filtered water and sea salt, not tap water and table salt), eat really spicy food, get some exercise, take ibuprofen consistently throughout the day for a few days — these things really help.
I sometimes used to get them but when I went running that could be enough to knock it out — something about warming up your sinuses and allowing everything to flow. A neti pot several times a day if necessary can also be great, but don’t do it right before sleeping. I just had a sinus infection last week, and that (along with spicy food) was what cured it.
PBA -“Don’t use zinc. It can cause you to lose your sense of smell permanently. (And much of your sense of taste)”
Sorry, you are behind the times. They only removed nasal zinc, like Zicam nasal spray, nothing else.
streekgeek -“I’ve spoken to a doctor who referred me to an ENT which I haven’t seen yet. (I absolutely hate doctors.) He said it’s probably something with my sinuses…”
Tell your PCP to give antibiotics, either – Amoxil, or Z-pak, or Biaxin. You don’t need a specialist!
“Zinc? How do I do that?”
Either Zicam oral spray or Cold-eze lozenges.
Not joking – take a good whiff of fresh ground white horseradish. Every erve Pesach my mom and then my brother in later yeasrs, would grind it for the maror, and one whiff cured me of any sinus issues I might have had.
If you have something for such a duration of time, a doc visit IS in order. You might even need antibiotics if you have a sinus infection. The Neti pot is only good if you can coordinate yourself enough to actually use it correctly. I never could.
I never heard of any stricture on zinc before. ColdEeze helps me. Refuah shelaima. Vitamin C is useless IMO. But general good diet and sleeping patterns are crucial.
You’re welcome! Don’t overdo the ibuprofen, especially if you have stomach problems, and try to follow the directions on the box, but it can help because it reduces inflammation (which is a major aspect to a sinus infection.)
The way I think about it, consistent use can keep the swelling down long enough to let your body’s natural defenses come in and knock the infection away while it’s reduced in size. It also helps you feel better.
You should ask a doctor or nurse how much ibuprofen is too much, if taking no more than the recommended dose (as explained on the box or bottle) doesn’t work well enough. In my experience (with other health conditions), sometimes they’ll tell you that you can take significantly more than that.
streekgeek – I vote for the sinus’. I get this all the time, as do two of my kids, and it just doesn’t go away. The neti pot is an awesome solution but if it starts getting painful it probably means it is not just “stuffed” but getting infected, antibiotics is the only thing that works for us. We (collectively) can’t do the “pour things up your nose” treatments, so we just pray a lot that it will go away before the infection sets in.
Sinus pressure can cause pretty bad tooth pain but it is usually a little bit different from a bad tooth. (per experience and dentist) it will be a top tooth (they share a nerve with the sinus) on the same side that is stuffed, and it will often hurt if you tap it or bend over. I can usually tell when my awful tooth pain is sinus related but a couple times my daughter has been in horrific pain and we had trouble determining which was the culprit.
Ibuprofen’s not just a painkiller, it’s also a potent anti-inflammatory. If you have a sinus infection, you have inflammation.
Yes, a sinus infection can give you a toothache. It’s happened to me before.
If you don’t really like spicy food, you might consider trying Sriracha with the rooster on it (if you can find it with a hechsher you hold by). It’s pretty spicy but for some reason it makes you want to eat more and more. That way you could end up eating enough to blast that sinusitis away. Hatzlacha!
Propably an allergy. Dust etc – Try Homeopathic or just boost your immune system with Olive Leaf Extract and Echinacea – Refuah Shlemoh
by golly, what are these ppl saying?? It’s a congested nose with no other symptoms! Don’t consistantly take ibuprofen, self-prescribe antibiotics, or medicate without a doctor PLEASE! The firs indication you’ve given of something to be worried about is the toothache. Sinus infections are painful, so if you have no pain it’s likely not. But the toothachey feeling is often really sinus infection, so there’s finally something to tell your doctor about and get checked out. If it turns out to not be sinus infection, be nice to your body! Be healthy, sleep, feel free to alleviate your symptoms with spicy things, nasal rinses, garlic and exercise (but dont drain yourself if your immune system is already working overtime), but dont run for the medicine cabinet!
It *is* probably better to try to stop the infection without medicine if you can. Aerobic exercise can really work wonders for it (and other things as well, like your energy levels) — even if you’re not a regular jogger or exerciser, try it out and you’ll see.
Colds don’t respond to anything. If they would, I wouldn’t have one.
The best thing for colds is to buy really expensive tissues.
You’re welcome! Good Shabbos, and refua shleima!
I wasn’t really kidding about the maror, but it can be a very VERY strong, make your eyes water, so DON’T really take a good sniff of it, but a gentle one (if you go that route). You wanted home remedies. My best advice is to speak to your doctor.
Here is a cautionary tale, btw. NEVER take what your doctor says, at face value. Ask questions, be proactive, informed patients, know what to expect, know why certain tests are ordered and what their results are when the doc gets them. If you don’t chaap what the doc is saying, ask him/her to explain it in words that the layperson can understand. Don’t be shy about that.
streekgeek -“At this point I just need to figure out how to decongest.
I tried: a humidifier when I sleep, putting my shower on the full blast till my bathroom was steamier than Lakewood in mid August, saline solutions… nothing is helping.”
Try a vaporizer instead of a humidifier. Also use Vick’s Vapo Rub on your chest and neck.
Horseradish can be painful.
I am absolutely shocked that on YWN of all places no one suggested learning Torah — ??? ????? ????? ????? — if it can protect Eretz Yisroel from its enemies it can certainly help with a little cold.
M, there’s a different thread for that:
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/how-much-is-a-womans-torah-worth
Fresh hot chicken soup
or if u still have congestion til it clears your system. Refuah shleima!
Vicks VapoRub actually does help A LOT!
Checking in here to agree with oomis, as always Best Bubby…
Why on earth would a virus respond to antibiotics?
Streekgeek, From the first few threads I had a feeling it was a sinus infection. One true and tried test is to bend over as if to tie your shoes, and if you had a heavy throb in the sinus fore head area its probablly sinus.
As for the suggestion to use the nasal rinse called Neti pot, it warns the user DO NOT USE IF YOUR NASAL PASSAGE IS COMPLETELY BLOCKED. So just be aware.
Also, a really good idea but super gross, (gets exciting actually) is to take Fenugreek seed. Either by tea, (tastes weird) or by tablet. Take quite a bit daily. You will be able to fill a mason jar up with thick mucus snot. WHat will come out from your sinus cavity will amaze you. Its soooo amazingly gross.
Enjoy.
Golfer, I will have to start hiring you as my agent!!!! 🙂
When sinuses are swollen, that is another way of saying congested, no? Have you tried putting your towel wrapped head over a bowl of steamy water?
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