Nine things you should do after catching a cold

Cold is the most common disease, but should we treat it or just bear with it as some people say until it heals naturally? I'm afraid no one can tell the answer. Among various natural remedies for fighting colds, which one is more effective, oranges or chicken soup, should you eat a full stomach or go hungry, which one should you avoid, chocolate or milk... There are so many different opinions that it is difficult to tell the truth from the false. As the temperature has dropped sharply in recent days, the peak season for colds is approaching, and various remedies for preventing and treating colds are beginning to attract everyone's attention again. What exactly is a cold and what should we do after catching a cold? The latest research in the United States has revealed the answers to this series of questions.

Step 1: Find a bed

After catching a cold, it’s best to find a comfortable bed to lie down on. Don't think about going to work, and don't force yourself to go out to party, play, or exercise. Liu Youning, director of the Respiratory Department of the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, said that sleep is the "best cold medicine" and that one must ensure eight hours of sleep every day. If possible, it is best to take a day off and rest at home for 1-2 days to reduce the risk of spreading the disease to others.

Step 2: Take some vitamin C

Whether you take vitamin C supplements or eat fruits rich in vitamin C, such as dates, oranges, kiwis, tangerines, grapefruits, etc., they can help relieve cold symptoms. Generally speaking, sour fruits contain a lot of vitamin C. Drinking orange juice can not only supplement vitamin C, but also eliminate discomfort in the mouth.

Step 3: Eat a piece of dark chocolate

Not only does it supplement antioxidants, but research from the University of London in the UK also shows that the cocoa alkali it contains has a cough suppressant effect.

Step 4: Turn on the humidifier

The dry air in autumn and winter can make your respiratory tract feel uncomfortable. Placing a humidifier next to your bed or sofa can help you breathe more smoothly. Before use, it is best to clean it thoroughly to prevent the virus from spreading through it.

Step 5: Eat liquid food

Hot soup and hot porridge are both good choices. The idea that chicken soup can cure colds has been around for hundreds of years, and British scholars have found that this makes sense because certain ingredients in chicken soup can reduce coughing, and the steam from hot soup and hot porridge can also help relieve nasal congestion.

Step 6: Change to a larger water cup

Make sure to drink 2000 ml of water every day, some of which should preferably be electrolyte drinks.

Step 7: Stay away from dairy products

Liu Youning said that it is best not to eat dairy products that are difficult to digest, such as cheese, when you have a cold, but you can drink some milk. If you have a poor appetite, you can drink some yogurt.

Step 8: Take over-the-counter medications

Over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or cough syrup can relieve cold symptoms. Liu Youning said that although these drugs cannot fight viruses, they can make you feel better.

Step 9: Wait patiently for it to pass

Your illness will take about 7 days to disappear on its own. But if symptoms persist or worsen dramatically, it is best to go to the hospital for a doctor's diagnosis.