We are well into the cold and flu season. Many will “catch a cold.” Seventy percent of the symptoms will disappear in 7-10 days. First of all there is no cure for the common cold, the body’s immune system must destroy the virus that causes the infection. But what is going on when these symptoms last longer? There are things we do that prolong the duration of these infections. What might they be? Six things that make colds last longer were identified on the November 10, 2009 posting of WebMD. Five are listed below and include:
Lack of rest! “Sleep plays an important role in our immune system. In an Archives of Internal Medicine article it stated that people who got less than seven hours of sleep per night were nearly three times more likely to catch a cold than were people who slept for eight hours. Once you do have a cold, it will also take longer for it to clear up if you don’t get adequate rest.”
Lack of fluids! “By drinking extra water when you’re sick, you’ll help to flush congestion out of your system, says Peter Katona, MD, associate clinical professor of infectious diseases at the University of California Los Angeles Health System. ‘Increasing the amount of fluid in your system actually allows the mucus trapped in your nose and chest to flow better,’” Katona says.
Taking drying medications (anti-histamines)! Instead of assisting the body to eliminate the infection, these medications cripple the body’s natural defenses causing the infection to remain in the body longer because they prevent the flushing effect of the mucous from occurring.
Treating the wrong problem! Many people think they have allergies when they really have a cold. “Although allergies and colds can both cause a cough, runny nose and sneezing, they part ways at muscle aches, fatigue, and decreased appetite, which would all be more symptomatic of a cold than allergies.”
Exercising too hard! Exercise is important for the body, but too strenuous exercise can interfere with the body’s ability to fight infections.
So if you catch a cold, make sure you get your rest, drink plenty of water, avoid anti-histamines and walk rather than run to minimize its duration!
