Stopping Colds in Their Tracks

We all know the nasty sensation of coming down with a cold: when you feel like your head is stopped up, when your nose is constantly running, and when nothing tastes right.

Most of what we call colds are technically known rhinitis, and are caused by various micro-organisms settling on nasal or throat surfaces, and the body's reacting to them. When your nose is running, your body is trying to get rid of those organisms.

The important thing is to let the body get rid of the junk. People are always trying to avoid sneezing, runny noses, and congestion. But the problem is that they are often treating the symptoms, and not the problem itself. Water treats the problem. Make sure you have plenty of water to let the body do its job.

One of the reasons the old advice ("Rest, and get plenty of liquids!") was good advice was you could have time to let the body work on getting rid of whatever is causing problems. If you take something to stop your runny nose, all you've done is give yourself a dry (and usually sore) throat, and prevent the body from blowing out what's causing the problem.

It's not easy to conduct a business meeting if you're nose is constantly running. It's not easy to teach if you're constantly sneezing. But those are some of the ways your body is trying to cure you. If you possibly can, take some time off, rest, and you will recover much faster.

Your body will be going through a great deal of water, and you need to replenish it frequently. It's easy to forget how much liquid goes out in a runny nose (and probably not something you want to ponder a lot, either!) And every time you sneeze, your body loses water. So a good rule of thumb is for every time you sneeze or blow your nose, drink some water. Every time. Now the problem is that most folks just don't feel like eating when they have a bad cold. Neither do they feel like drinking. So you may have to fool your body into thinking that you're drinking something special that's not just the water it needs.

The easiest way is to slice a lemon (or lime) and put a slice into your glass. Unlike sugar and other things we are prone to add to water, the trace of lemon adds nothing but taste: no calories, no caffeine, and no carbohydrates.

Another trick is to heat the water. That's right: serve up plain, hot water in a special cup, and maybe jazz it up with lemon, too.

And as long as you're drinking your quota of 20 glasses of water a day, there's no reason you can't enjoy some other liquids. Hot broth, juices (though not too much: your body needs a rest from digesting, too!) and hot teas can be enjoyable, and help alleviate the boredom.

If you're drinking tea, you might want to go with herbal, decaffeinated teas. I have nothing against caffeine, when used in moderation, and I drink caffeinated tea almost every day. But when you are sick (whether from a cold, or from something else) allow your body to clear out some of the corridors. Don't give it the extra task of dealing with caffeine ... at least not now.

The important thing is to keep consuming liquids. Your body may be cleansing out some toxins, and it needs fluids to do that job. Monitor factors such as the color of your urine. If the urine is a dark or brownish color, you need more liquids. (A rule of thumb is that urine should be a light straw color. If it's darker, immediately drink down 2 glasses of water).

Jim Huffman, RN specializes in natural and alternative healing therapies. His first book is 'Dare to Be Free: How to Get Control of Your Time, Your Life, and Your Nursing Career,' and is aimed at helping other nurses find satisfying, dynamic careers. His website is http://www.NetworkForNurses.com and his health blog is at http://www.shababa.blogspot.com

---

What Is Oral Chelation And How Can It Help Prevent Heart Disease

Oral ChelationOral chelation is the solubilization of a metal salt... Read More

The Truth About Your Health

BEWARE OF THE CULTURAL HYPNOSIS We live in a cultural... Read More

Treat Osteoporosis Naturally

Osteoporosis is a condition that faces every baby boomer; man... Read More

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptoms

Urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria in one of... Read More

All Natural Shampoo - 5 Tips

All Natural Shampoo - 5 Tips Here are 5 tips... Read More

Biofeedback: Applying the Mind to Health

What is biofeedback?In biofeedback you expand self-awareness and practice powerful... Read More

Dangers of Dehydration - And The Importance of Kidney Cleansing

The human body is composed of 75 percent water and... Read More

Dopamine Relieves Pain ? Try Encouraging Your Subconscious To Supply It

Dopamine has long been known to be linked to positive... Read More

Top 3 Reasons Why You Suffer From Pain In The Back Of The Knee

Pain behind the knee is something many of us have... Read More

Are You Really Overweight?

If you are overweight, you know it by how you... Read More

Boost Self Confidence Through Hypnotherapy

What is self confidence and how do you get it?... Read More

Empowering Ourselves with the New Energy Dynamic

The chakras are an important part of our energy anatomy.... Read More

About Child Bedwetting

Bedwetting also known as nocturnal Enuresis is a common problem... Read More

How To Prevent The Flu

Can you prevent the flu? or is it just luck... Read More

The Basics of Hypnosis

You've seen the stage acts where a hypnotist selects someone... Read More

Drugstore Hemorrhoid Medications

There are many drugstore and alternative Internet products for treating... Read More

Alternative Medicine vs Conventional Medicine - Pt 2

In Part 1 we discussed the fact that alternative medicine... Read More

The Future of Healing...

Your FUTURE is NOT in a doctor's office or a... Read More

Citronnelle

Remember the last Dumpling Festival? Did your mother or grandmother... Read More

The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Allergies

Allergies: The Ayurvedic AnswerIn a healthy body, the allergic response... Read More

Back Pain, Joint Pain, Knee Pain, Arthritis and a Host of Other Pain Ailments You Never Have To Suff

"The smallest pain in our little finger gives us more... Read More

Stage Hypnosis Vs Hypnotherapy - Understanding The Difference

We've all seen them, right? The stage hypnotist, who makes... Read More

Tap Away Your Fears

In my workshops we use energy techniques that involve tapping... Read More

Remedies for Asthma or Allergies

Remedies for Asthma or AllergiesA lot people have asthma. My... Read More

Why Detox?

For most of my life I considered myself fairly healthy.... Read More

Hypnosis Cures For Nail Biting

One little-thought-of application for hypnosis is to help people stop... Read More

How to Prevent Snoring?

Snoring is noisy breathing through the mouth and nose during... Read More

Chelation and Clathration

Chelating is the process of removing toxic materials, metals and... Read More

Magnetic Energy and DNA

Magnetic energy has been in use for reducing pain and... Read More

Cold Laser Therapy: Hope for Arthritis

Having had the rare, first-hand opportunity to observe cold laser... Read More

How To Find Your Way To Healthy Longevity

As the old saying goes, are you "a picture of... Read More

Aphrodisiacs: Increasing Sexual Desire and Capacity

Are you among the millions of people worldwide who are... Read More

Understanding Aromatherapy

In the 1920's, a French cosmetic chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse,... Read More