How To Beat Cold and Flu Season

‘Tis the season … cold and flu season that is. Although there is no cure in sight for the common cold or the flu, there are some over-the-counter treatments that can bring symptom relief and sometimes even shorten the duration of the worst symptoms. Mountainside Medical not only offers OTC cold and flu products to help with your worst symptoms, but here you can also find simple tips and tricks for symptomatic relief:

1.      Blow your nose as often as possible

We can’t stress enough how important it is to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can cause an earache. So, what is the best way to blow your nose? Press a finger over one nostril while you gently blow to clear the other. As always, be sure to wash your hands afterwards.

2.      Get your rest

The best thing to do when you first come down with a cold is rest - this will help your body direct all of its energy to the immune system. Your immune system battle is taxing on the body, so help it out and get cozy on the couch.

3.      Drink Hot Fluids

Did you know that hot liquids help relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration and soothe those uncomfortable inflamed membranes in your nose and throat? Drink hot tea or even just hot water with lemon and honey to help ease your nose and throat.

4.      Steam up in the shower

Steamy showers help moisturize your nasal passages and really relax you. Sometimes the flu can make you pretty dizzy so run a steamy shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath, or maybe consider getting a shower chair for the occasion.

5.      Over-the-Counter Helpers

It seems like when you’re sick you always look forward to a Nyquil-induced sleep. Mountainside Medical also has a wide variety of day-time cold medicine to help you get through your day and start feeling better.

  What do you do when you’re feeling sick? Let us know! We’d love to hear about your best remedies for the cold and flu in the comments below.