As we inch closer and closer to cold and flu season, the folks here at Pinnacle Urgent Care wanted to share a few tips for dealing with a cold. And since we’re guessing you already know that things like staying hydrated, gargling with salt water, and rest are good things to prioritize when you have a cold, this post’s aim is to arm you with some more “insider info” instead.

After all, a cold is never fun, BUT having some lesser-known information available to help you manage it can speed up recovery time and allow you to feel slightly less miserable in the process.

For congestion:

-Sleep with your head truly elevated (more than just propped up on one pillow). This will lessen congestion as you sleep. When you lie flat, mucus collects and gets worse overnight.

-A hot shower can definitely open up sinuses for some much-needed relief, but don’t stop there. After your hot shower, apply a cool compress on your sinuses to help drive inflammation down.

-Chewing gum or forcing yawns (similar to during and after a plane ride) can reduce sinus pressure by helping to open your Eustachian tubes.

For a sore throat:

-You’ve heard about gargling with salt water, certainly. Next time try adding a pinch of turmeric to the salt water. This can help reduce inflammation in your throat.

-To mix things up, try using either apple cider vinegar or pickle juice diluted in water instead of tea with honey to break up congestion in your throat. It might sound strange, but it works better for some folks than honey does!

For sleep & recovery:

-Humidifiers can be wonderfully helpful for sleep, but overdoing it isn’t wise. Very high humidity encourages things like dust mites and mold, which definitely won’t help with your congestion and discomfort. Shoot for 40-50% humidity to keep things nice and balanced.

-It’s true that zinc lozenges can help you kick a cold more quickly…but ONLY when you take it within your first 24 hours of symptoms. After that, it’s unlikely to be much help at all.

For babies & kids:

-For children 2 and under, we recommend three things for a cough that are proven safe and effective. The first (only for kids 12 months and older) is 1/2 teaspoon of honey three times a day. The second is frequent nasal bulb suction. When suctioning, it’s important to introduce the suction perpendicular to the face into the nose instead of up the nose.  

-Running a humidifier in their rooms at night – using the same humidifier tip we mentioned above – can also work wonders with their congestion and overall comfort. 

And remember:

If your symptoms are getting worse or include chest pain, difficulty breathing, or last longer than 10 days without showing signs of improvement, get checked out to see if you’re dealing with something more than a common cold. 

We are always here to help with diagnosis and symptom management here at Pinnacle Urgent Care! Please come see us any time you need us.