It is almost an annual ritual: with autumn comes the cold. Like panettone at Christmas and chocolate egg at Easter, this season it is difficult to avoid a few days of infection by viruses.
Usually, the symptoms of a cold disappear within two to three days. In 70% of cases it heals in a week, but it is not unusual for it to last for up to two weeks.
Sometimes we don’t even notice it, but it’s what we do (or don’t do) that makes us feel bad longer than expected.
Also because nowadays it is difficult to slow down the pace, stay at home and rest a few days. So we tend to pretend nothing is happening hoping that with little effort the symptoms will improve quickly anyway.
To prevent symptoms from lasting for a long time
Here are the most common mistakes that prolong the symptomatology of colds.
| Errors | Because |
|---|---|
| Lack of sleep | Rest plays a very important role in the immune system. Was Proven that sleeping less than seven hours a night increases Probability of catching a cold about three times. And when you already has a cold, the lack of rest makes the recovery. |
| Little water | Fluids have an important place in healing processes. If the cold difficulty going away you can try drinking more water or Juices. When liquids are scarce, in fact, a condition of dehydration, since the water requirement It increases when you are sick. |
| Abuse of topical decongestants | Especially at night, stuffy nose can become a nightmare. And then the So-called nasal decongestants can become a relief enormous. But be careful: using them at the right dosage is ok, but if I use them becomes prolonged these preparations can induce tolerance to drug, with disappearance of effectiveness. It is essential to follow the Information on the package leaflet. |
What if it’s not a cold?
The runny nose can easily be confused with other disorders, such as sinusitis or allergies, for example, since they give symptoms very similar to those of colds. Pay attention to the differences: the symptoms of colds usually go away after a few days, while those of allergies persist for several days. Both cause coughing, runny nose and sneezing, but muscle aches, fatigue and a reduced appetite are typical of colds.
Sinusitis is difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stages. However, they have some particular symptoms, such as facial pain, migraines, fever and green or yellow mucus.
Exercise without exaggerating
Although most Italians are sedentary, it is likely that those who are used to intense sports often do not want to stop for a simple cold. It is a mistake: exercise during a cold is not counterproductive, but it must be not very intense so as not to negatively interfere with immunity. What is meant by little intense? For example, instead of an hour of jogging it is preferable to take a 10-kilometer walk.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.