Winter through the window of the house looks so beautiful, yet it is not less than a horror for your body and health. The cold gets into the body and quickly everyone is sneezing, coughing, or having a sore throat, sinus headache and even bronchitis. Viral fever becomes more and more frequent. This is not just a matter of bad luck. According to doctors, cold air dries the nasal passage and throat and thus becomes an open invitation for viruses.
The good side of the story?
Most of winter viruses are very harmless, and you can treat them yourself at home. Throw away all those tricks and only do the things that both your doctor and grandma would agree on.
What is it that makes us getting sick more in winter?
Truthfully, it is not that difficult. The cold air dries the nasal passage, which means that viruses, especially the flu, have a very easy way of getting in. The CDC gives a very clear explanation of this. Since we all use to sit closely together in warm rooms with windows and doors closed, according to Dr. Randeep Guleria from AIIMS Delhi, pathogens can spread freely. Less sunlight means less vitamin D, and it is bvery beneficial to body, that is why the immune system gets weaker. The WHO is of the same opinion.
Every winter, the following diseases are to be expected:
Common cold Influenza Pharyngitis or tonsillitis Sinus infections Bronchitis Viral fevers Dry skin and skin infections
The good part is: most of them can be cured by what you already possess at home.
1. Salted Warm Water Gargle – For a sore throat
Saltwater plays a key role in decreasing the swelling and helps in fighting the contagion in the throat. With a very simple way to make it, mix half a teaspoon of salt with warm water and gargle it a few times a day. It works great, even the Mayo Clinic confirms it.
2. Steam Inhalation – Nose and sinus clearing
Steam is very efficient in breaking the mucus plug and gradually letting the person breathe easier. Water should be brought to a boil, a person should be over the pot (however, the person should be careful of the hot steam) and steam should be taken for a period of five minutes. If you want, you may use eucalyptus oil. Over and above, Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends this treatment for relaxation of the sinuses.
3. Ginger + Honey Tea – For throat soothing
Ginger is the one that assists the inflamed area in the body to calm down, and honey as well, by soothing and protecting the throat. Just get some ginger root, cut it into slices, boil it in water, strain the liquid, and then put some honey in it. The WHO even goes that far that it recognizes honey as a natural cough remedy.
4. Turmeric Milk (Haldi Doodh) – For immunity
The most common thing could be found easily in every one’s house is turmeric milk, It is Curcumin (from Turmeric) that is the component that gives it antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Mix half a teaspoon of the powder with warm milk and drink it before going to sleep. Ayurveda has been doing it for quite a while and modern science is also agreeing.
5. Warm drinks – To keep phlegm moving
Make it a basic habit of drinking warm water, hot soups, hot teas, or different kind of broths regularly. Not only do these make the mucus less thick and thus easy to remove, but they also keep the body hydrated. Warm fluids are an absolute must when you are ill, as say all the doctors, including those from the Cleveland Clinic.
6. Vitamin C & Zinc – To rejuvenate faster
Why not eating more oranges, amla, berries, nuts, and seeds or taking supplements? Both the CDC and a number of studies concur that vitamin C and zinc together are the best immune system activators and thus the getting well process is accelerated.
Thinking about when you should see a doctor?
It would be a good idea not to wait with it in the case of high fever that lasts for more than two days, shortness of breath, chest pain, an unstoppable cough, severe sinus pain, or when things getting worse continuously. Dr. Devi Shetty from Narayana Health is always saying that early treatment of breathing problems in winter can prevent small issues from becoming serious ones.
In summary
Winter infections are an obvious part of the season, but most of them are within your power to treat by using simple home remedies such as steam, ginger tea, saltwater gargles, and warm drinks. Take genuine medical advice, mix in a little home treatment, and you will be done with it.
Do not forget to keep warm and continue drinking, and if the situation is not getting better, get in touch with your doctor.