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Monday, July 18, 2005
Perez: Colds and flu
By Joy G. Perez
Sensitivity
WEATHER temperature changes so quickly, very hot during the day or until nighttime, then suddenly switches to very cold at dawn.
Many suffer from colds and flu these days. Unfortunately, I was one of those. Does the change in weather temperature have got to do with this suffering from colds and flu? Maybe. Maybe not.
Actually, colds and flu are common virus infections that may cause runny nose, cough, sore throat, and at times fever or pain in the joints. And, there may be mild diarrhea, mostly among children.
Don't worry. Colds and flu almost always go away without medicine. All you have to do is get enough rest. Don't work too hard or stress yourself. Drink plenty of water. Drink fruit juices especially orange juice or lemonade or calamansi.
My favorite is tea with honey and calamansi. Some people prefer tea with lemon and apple cider vinegar (any type of vinegar will do). It is equivalent to an energy drink, aside from being medicinal. Also, drink a cup of hot water with slices of onions mixed with it. It is very effective. Don't mind the smell. Well, there are those yellow bulb onions that don't produce bad smell.
Sore throat is often part of a cold. Actually, no special medicine is needed, but it may help to gurgle warm water. If the sore persists, gurgle with warm water mixed with a little amount of salt and vinegar. I am sure the sore throat will disappear.
If sore throat is followed by a high fever, special treatment is needed. Who knows it could be a strep throat? See a doctor.
How to avoid getting cold? First, get enough sleep. Eat more leafy vegetables. Eat more vitamin C-rich foods like tomatoes, oranges, and other citrus fruits, and bell peppers particularly green ones. Take a small slice of ginger as a candy in your mouth once sore throat starts.
The book Where There is no Doctor by David Werner noted that contrary to popular belief, colds do not come from getting cold or wet (although getting very cold, wet, or tired can make a cold worse).
A cold is caught from others who have the infection and sneeze the virus into the air. Often, one also suffers headache when he or she has colds and flu. Simple headaches can be helped by rest and aspirin. Aspirin or acetaminophen helps lower fever and relieve body aches and headaches.
A migraine is a severe throbbing headache often on one side of the head only. To stop a migraine, take two aspirins with a cup of strong coffee or strong black tea. Lie down in a dark quiet place and do your best to relax. Try not to think about your problems.
It is expected that when you suffer from colds, you have stuffy and runny nose. To help clear a stuffy nose, older children and adults can put a little salt into their hand and sniff it into the nose. This helps loosen mucus.
Breathing hot vapor helps clear a stuffy nose. I did this, but instead of hot vapor, I enjoyed taking and sipping the commercially-sold sotanghon (bean noodle) chicken soup in a bowl. The hot powdered pepper mixed in the soup gives good flavor and effective vapor.
After taking the soup, I really sweated, and felt relieved! Another is mix a small content of Vicks vaporub in a bowl of hot water and breathe it. It's good.
(July 17, 2005 issue)
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