Treating Colds at Home

Once fall begins to set in, the change in temperatures starts to set off several colds. Many people find going to the doctor with the common cold a nuisance. These same people often treat their colds at home with over-the-counter medications or home remedies.

Over-the-counter medications often treat the symptoms of any cold, but they really don't do anything really for the virus that has infected the body. Home remedies often do the same as over-the-counter medications, but many people swear by the outcome of the home remedies over the over-the-counter medications.

Often, once making the trip to the doctor's office for a cold, these people can be prescribed antibiotics. However, sometimes, doctors will add to the antibiotics, over-the-counter medications and ibuprofen, along with bed rest and many liquids.

Over-the-counter Medications

Nyquil

Both regular and daytime Nyquil have ingredients that can help control many of the symptoms of the common cold. While regular Nyquil allows a person to rest at night with a sleep aid, Daytime Nyquil treats the symptoms of a cold while allowing a person to stay awake during the day.

Alka-Seltzer

Alka-Seltzer over the years has expanded their line of anti-acid and pain relief medications to include cough and cold medications that can be purchased over the counter. Many of their cold remedies also help treat the symptoms to allow the person to rest.

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is often prescribed to help with the minor aches and pains associated with the common cold. In most cases, 250 to 500 milligrams of ibuprofen taken once to twice a day will help relieve the aches and pains associated with the common cold.

Home Remedies

Chicken Soup

While as kids, many of us had chicken soup given to use while having a cold along with other childhood illnesses as a way to help us get over the illness. The warming and soothing relief of the chicken soup itself has given many of us a sense of feeling better. While it may seem that chicken soup isn't any more than that, it actually does have a medicinal value with the salt and broth of the soup. Both the salt and broth, helps a person stay hydrated during a common cold. The salt found in the soup enables a person to be able to drink more liquids than a person not using this centuries old home remedy.

Jello

Jello over the years has been given to people in the liquid form to help lower the fever associated with a cold. While in the liquid form it could have a medicinal purpose with fever, it also allows the person to stay hydrated once again. Also, in the chilled state, Jello can also be used as a food source for vomiting and diarrhea.

Orange Juice

Orange juice is consumed for its Vitamin C. Vitamin C has been proven as a way to help combat colds. Orange juice is also a healthy drink that helps with various other medicinal purposes in the body other than colds.

Even with these few tips of treating a cold at home, a trip to the doctors office is always the best way to go. In some cases, there can be other problems with having a cold for those who are diabetic, who are struggling with cancer or heart disease.