Caffeinated drinks should be avoided as they are dehydrating. They include coffee, cola drinks, energy drinks and tea. Alcohol is also dehydrating and should be avoided. In addition, it affects the functioning of the immune system and drinking too much alcohol makes you more likely to get an infection.
If you're feeling nauseous, following the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, apples and toast – may be your preference.
Gatorade, because of its electrolyte content, helps to restore the lost electrolytes and keep a person hydrated, during intense activity. It can also replace electrolytes, during times of illness, such as stomach viruses. Gatorade was designed to help serious athletes perform better on the field.
Caffeinated Drinks A diuretic, caffeine can exacerbate dehydration, so you'll want to limit or avoid beverages like coffee, black tea, and soda while you're sick with the flu, Vyas says.
Alcohol's effect on your immune system is one reason to avoid drinking while sick. Drinking alcohol can weaken your body's ability to fight off infection. A weakened immune system can make your body more susceptible to getting sick and slow down recovery.
Orange juice is a yummy way to hydrate, but there's conflicting research on whether it can help your cold. The acid can irritate a sore or inflamed throat. Many store-bought orange juices are also high in sugar, which is not recommended for treating cold symptoms.
Relying Too Much on Cold Treatments
But if you overdo them, cold treatments can actually have the opposite effect, making your cold symptoms worse. In fact, if you use a decongestant in spray or drop form for more than three to four days in a row, your nasal membranes will swell even more.
One of the things that the circadian clock controls is our immune system. Some of the molecules that cause inflammation are more active at night, and so inflammation and inflammatory pain is worse.
Cold and cough symptoms often feel worse at night. You aren't just imagining it. This is due to your body's circadian rhythms, hormones, body position, and lack of distraction at night. A cough that happens mainly at night can be caused by asthma, reflux, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or sinusitis.
To help you cure the flu faster and protect you from severe complications, you may take an antiviral like Tamiflu or Relenza. But antivirals need a prescription and are most effective when taken closer to the onset of symptoms.
More peeing and pooping helps flush out bugs (aka virus, bacteria, pathogens). Water also helps your lymphatic system run smoothly and that's key for overall immunity. Water, water, water, people! Wash your hands: I'm mildly obsessed with washing my hands because I touch my eyes and mouth a lot.
Plain flavored yogurt is the best way to help your body recover from touches of the flu and colds. When choosing a yogurt, be sure to pick one that is rich with probiotics. This healthy bacteria helps shorten the duration of your illness by giving your body the strength to fight back.
Getting extra sleep when you're sick doesn't just give you a few hours of respite from unpleasant symptoms: Sleep is like medicine for the immune system, ultimately helping you make a full recovery from an illness. “Sleep is the only time of anyone's day or night where we have restoration processes happening.
Don't be tempted to overheat the room because you have a cold. Keep the temperature at a comfortable level (69F – 72F) and bundle up with blankets that can be shoved off if you begin to overheat. The humidity in the room is important too. Dry air can worsen your cold symptoms and parch your nose and throat.
Most colds go away on their own within seven to 10 days and don't turn into anything more serious. Common cold treatment includes over-the-counter (OTC) medications to help reduce your symptoms and keep you comfortable until you recover.