Atkins Diet » South Beach Diet » The Zone Diet » Vegetarian Diet » Acebutolol » Acetaminophen with Codeine » Acetazolamide » Brompheniramine » Diphenhydram-PSE-Acetaminophen » Isotretinoin » Paclitaxel » Perindopril » Quinapril » Zafirlukast » 10 Medicine Cabinet Must-Haves » 5 Essential Products for Youthful Skin » 5 Great Ways to Green Your Baby » 6 Simple Ways to Lose Weight » 8 Easy Ways to Go Green » Bottled Water: What's the Difference? » Chef Steve: Meat Alternatives » Diet Right: Cut Calories, Not Nutrition » Eat to Beat Cataracts » Exercise Builds Bones in Teens » Get a Jumpstart on Your Hay Fever » Get Savvy about Your Kids’ Sun Care » High-Antioxidant Diet May Mean Lower Stroke Risk » How Do I Pick the Best Weight-Loss Diet? » Introducing Your Baby to the Joys of Eating » Jumpstart Your Family's Day with Breakfast » Kid-Safe Cold Care » How to Stick to the USDA’s Healthy Eating Guidelines » What Makes a Good Multivitamin? » Natural Cold & Flu Remedies: Do They Work? » New Varieties Make Cold & Flu Meds Easier to Swallow » Pregnancy & Omega-3s: A Smart Combination for Baby’s Brain » Pump Up Your Immune System » Selecting Safe & Healthful Seafood » Take Control of Your Allergies » Teatime May Help Prevent Ovarian Cancer » Tricks to Get Your Kids to Eat Healthfully » Understanding Organics: Dairy & Dairy Substitutes » Understanding Organics: Fruits & Vegetables » Understanding Organics: Meat & Poultry » Upgrade Your Grocery List » Do Weight-Loss Supplements Work? » What Does “Organic” Mean? » Wild About Nuts » Women: Want to Add Years to Your Life? » Your Best Organic Bets » Abalone » Adzuki Beans » Aged Provolone » Almond Butter » Almond Milk » Almonds » Amaranth » American Cheese » Anaheim Pepper » Anasazi Beans » Appaloosa Beans » Appenzeller » Apples » Apricots » Arame » Arborio Rice » Aromatic Rice » Artichoke » Arugula » Asiago » Asparagus » Bacon » Bagels » Bananas » Beets » Blueberries » Broccoli » Buckwheat » Carrots » Cauliflower » Cherries » Chicken » Chuck Roast » Cod » Coffee » Crackers » Cucumbers » Eggplant » Eggs » Flounder » Flour » Grapefruit » Grapes » Juices » Lentils » Mackerel » Melons » Milk » Monounsaturated Fats » Muffins » Mullet » Natural Sweeteners » Non-Nutritive and Artificial Sweeteners » Onions » Peaches » Pears » Pita Bread » Poblano Pepper » Quinoa » Radishes » Spinach » Sweet Peppers » Sweet Potatoes » Tofu » Tomatoes » Top Blade Steak » Trout » Tuna » Wheat » Whole-Wheat Bread » Winter Squash » Yogurt » Food Groups and the Food Pyramid » Food Labels » Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals » How Much Should I Weigh? » Multiple Vitamin-Mineral Supplements » Understanding Organics: Labeling & Certification » Which Diet Is Right for Me? » Acne Vulgaris » Allergies and Sensitivities » Alzheimer’s Disease » Asthma » Attention Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder » Autism » Birth Defects Prevention » Bronchitis » Bruising » Burns » Bursitis » Cardiovascular Disease Overview » Childhood Diseases » Childhood Obesity » Colic » Common Cold/Sore Throat
Common Cold/Sore Throat
Also indexed as:Sore Throat & Colds, Cold and Sore Throat
Coughing. Aching Sneezing. Take a few simple actions to knock out the annoying common cold. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
To help keep you in top health, our experts recommend these steps:
- Fortify with food. Healthy foods—fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains—support a strong immune system, while excessive added sugars, fat, and alcohol can impair immunity. Aim to lower your susceptibility to colds and flu (influenza) with good nutrition. Select Eating Right, above, for more information.
- Keep bugs at bay. There are no over-the-counter or prescription medications proven to prevent colds and flu, so save these products for when you’re sick. Instead practice good hygiene—wash hands often and cover coughs and sneezes—to keep the viruses at bay. Select Medicines, above, for more information.
- Mobilize your motivation. Consider purchasing a tool, such as a pedometer, to track daily steps taken. Regular physical activity is a true immune booster, and anything you do to help yourself get fit can bolster your resistance to colds and flu. Select Personal Care, above, for more ideas on tools for a healthier life.
Our experts recommend the following tips to support your recovery from colds and flu:
- Turn to your honey. Raw (unpasteurized) honey has antimicrobial properties and may help lessen coughs and improve sleep in people with colds. Never give honey to babies under 12 months old. Select Eating Right, above, for more information.
- Value your vitamins. Vitamin C and zinc (lozenges) can help shorten duration of colds, while echinacea and elderberry extract may speed recovery from flu. Select Vitamins, above, for more information.
- Care for the with caution. The FDA recommends that children under two years never be given medications for cold or flu symptoms. The risk of harm outweighs any benefit. For older children, follow label instructions carefully, and do not give children medication intended for adult use. Select About, and Medicines, above, for more information.
- Control your environment. For both kids and adults, humidifiers and vaporizers in the bedroom at night can soothe dry sinuses and ease cold or flu symptoms. Select Personal Care, above, for more information.
Copyright © 2012 Aisle7. All rights reserved. Aisle7.com
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
Learn more about the authors of Aisle7 products.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2013.
