Common Cold Options: Facts Vs. Myths

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A variety of cold remedies have been used by a number of people around the world in order to manage the signs and symptoms of colds. Most of them are facts and have a scientific basis but the others are usually myths and can be an annoying waste of time, thought and worry. At least one member in each and every household must know the several home remedies for colds once yet another member catches it. But aside from that, he or she should also know what remedy is effective and what is just pure myth. Here are some of the misconceptions about colds that ought to be clarified.

Myth: Antibiotics are the powerful and effective medicines against cold.

Fact: Colds are triggered by virus.

Antibiotics are medicines that act against bacterial infections by killing the bacteria causing a disease. Viral infections such as simple colds are not affected by antibiotics. Many uninformed mothers and guardians still believe that antibiotics are effective for colds. However, if a colds sufferer gets a bacterial infection with the colds, antibiotics could be now effective for making the patient feel better.

One more thing that people should know is that most viral infections such as colds are self-limiting. That means they will eventually heal with time even without any medical intervention. Symptomatic cold remedies are enough to manage colds.

Myth: Vitamins and other health supplements can cure colds.

Fact: Even though vitamin supplements such as vitamin C can improve the immune system, taking them may not be effective in curing colds.

Even though a person keeps on taking vitamin C everyday, when he catches a cold, vitamin C tablets won't do anything to the virus. The virus will still cause symptoms and he can't do anything about it but to control his symptoms with the correct diet, hygienic measures, proper hydration, as well as other head cold remedies and then wait around until his colds are healed. On the other hand, zinc supplements have been proven to be beneficial in colds treatment.

Myth: When a person has a cold, he should not drink milk so there will be less mucus.

Fact: Consumption of milk doesn't lead to the large build-up of mucus.

There is absolutely no scientific basis about this myth and any person with colds can drink milk as much as he wants to. Mucus production may increase when one has colds but it is not, in any way, caused by milk.

Myth: "Start a fever and feed a cold"

Fact: The phrase "starve a fever" is totally a myth.

Food is required by any human to provide energy for the body system and if a person has a fever and colds, the body metabolizes lots of energy reserves in the body and therefore more food should be taken to prevent further body weakness.

There are still more myths that many people still believe to be effective in treating colds. Here are few of the scientifically proven effective home remedies for a cold that patients can do to manage colds. First is proper hydration. A person with common colds should drink plenty of fluids to prevent nasal congestion and also keep the throat moist. Eight to ten glasses of water per day should be enough to keep the body properly hydrated. Second is nasal irrigation through saltwater rinse or nasal spray. This remedy can help relieve nasal congestion efficiently.

And the last is chicken soup. It is very effective since it has an anti-inflammatory effect and it lessens mucus production. Chicken soup has been one of the most helpful cold remedies that many mothers have been giving to their children in order to manage colds.

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