ChrisP Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Hi everyone Overnight I seem to have developed the worst summer cold I've ever had I cannot breathe through my nose ( ) and my throat is killing me You're all a 'general knowledge bunch', any ideas how to get rid of it? The sooner the better! Already got a load of stuff going on, a cold is most definately NOT needed Sorry to whinge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Sorry you've got a rotten cold I always have a mug of hot water with honey and lemon to sooth my throat and I steam my nose over a bowl of hot water with a 'karvol' capsule in it to help the blocked up stuffiness .......think Karvol has eucalyptus in it and and some other bits Will have to hunt them down and check Hope you're feeling better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I would recommend Night Nurse to help you get a good night's sleep. It should deal with the blocked up nose. Sleep is so important in helping you get better. You could even prop yourself up a bit so that you avoid getting too congested. Secondly, drink lots of water - or watery drinks as have been suggested. Vitamin C rich foods may be helpful too. Steam is very helpful in loosening the mucus and therefore helping your body to get rid of it. Definitely do this before going to bed. Don't go to work tomorrow - you need to rest and no-one else will appreciate your germs anyway. I really hope it clears quickly for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Grate/finely chop or blitz in a blender a chunk of fresh ginger, boil for 5 minutes in some water, add the juice of a lemon, sweeten to taste with honey. Strain the bits through a tea strainer and drink. It won't cure your cold, but the clean/hot/fresh taste will help you feel better and the honey helps soothe your throat. The lemon adds vitamin C, so it's better to add it at the end. Quantities are up to you - start with an inch of ginger and 2-3 mugs of water, see how it suits you. You can keep it hot in a flask or strain and reheat by the mugful in the microwave. Milly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 'Fraid there is no cure, and most of the 'remedies' you can buy are pretty useless. Certainly worth trying something like night nurse to help if you need a good nights sleep, but the best things are paracetamol to ease any inflammation and sinus pain; honey and lemon in hot water with ginger, cinnamon and cloves to ease a sore throat and stuffiness and a steam inhalation - with or without added eucalyptus or menthol vapours to loosen the blocked nose and ease a cough. You could also try some herbal supplements - echinacea boosts the immune system and zinc and vitamin C is supposed to help the body get rid of a cold quicker. Hope you feel better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Citricidal is good for humans as well as chickens. I've found it very helpful for colds. It tastes lovely. Not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I would recommend Night Nurse to help you get a good night's sleep. It should deal with the blocked up nose. Sleep is so important in helping you get better. You could even prop yourself up a bit so that you avoid getting too congested. I will second this - Night Nurse is brilliant stuff & will really help you sleep. Day Nurse is good for daytime too,but doesn't taste as nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Try a breathe easi steam inhaler from Boots. It is a small cup with a face mask attached. A couple of drops of olbas oil/menthol crystals and hot water should soon sort your nose out! Hope you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Try a breathe easi steam inhaler from Boots. It is a small cup with a face mask attached. A couple of drops of olbas oil/menthol crystals and hot water should soon sort your nose out! Hope you feel better soon. I get terrible sinus problems,& these devices are a godsend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 Thanks for tips and advice everybody. I went to bed last night with a hot water/honey/lemon concoction (sp) (it was horrible! ) and the breathe easi steam inhaler from boots. Feel a tad more human, but only a tad!! Staying home today, and have decided I will be better tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treekeeper Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Retire to bed with a bottle of Malt whiskey, with instructions to rest of family not to disturb until better or dead! (us men always get worse colds/flu it's genetic) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I once had a sore throat that was so bad I was in tears with it. Went to the GP who said it was just a cold but one that had attacked my throat particularly. She gave me a numbing spray that I could use to releive the pain in my throat. It worked really well. I have never needed it again since, but that one infection was really bad. So, if the throat is really bad, you could try your doc (or ask at pharmacy first, it may not be a prescription only thing). I always take echinacea which may shorten the length of a cold. Drink plenty, wrap up warm and retreat to bed/sofa is what granny would say!!! And I just have to add, in case you didn't know but I expect you do, always check the ingredients in cold remedies so you know you are not inadvertently taking an overdose of something....I mean they often put paracetemol in cold remedies and then you might take some anyway, not realizing, and end up overdosing. The dangerous dose of paracetemol is surprisingly low so be careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 Hehe Treekeeper, Chris is short for Christine ..Lay a little egg for me, I'd never thought about checking all the ingrediants of everything Thanks! I have retreated to the sofa, and slept on it for three hours, 10-1. Its a good day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treekeeper Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Chris(tine) you have special permission to claim it's man flu Still recommend the whiskey though I hate summer colds they don't seem normal when the sun is shining Hang on what am I saying they do seem normal in a July when it's lashing down and grey just like winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Lots of good advice above, hope you are feeling better. Love the Night nurse tip. I'm surprised "Ooops, word censored!"ody has mentioned garlic. I'm sure it has a broad anti viral spectrum (or something like that) Home made vegetable soup with lots of garlic in it. Chop up carrot, onion and celery. Saute until soft, add garlic after a while Top up with a pint of chicken or vegetable stock Simmer for a bit. Add in some courgette or what ever you fancy and have in stock If you don't feel up to cooking, it works even better if someone else makes it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 A hot toddy before bed. My FIL made one for me once when I was younger and had a cold when staying with them it worked miracles I have never quite managed to recreate it. I usually just dose myself with paracetamol and go to bed. Gargling with soluble aspirin is good for a sore throat. Hope you are feeling better today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
