Is It Normal for a Cold to Last More Than 2 Weeks? Tips to Ease Your Worries
A cold should last a week or two at most, but what if yours has lingered for longer? According to a Harvard Medical School study, you’re not alone — up to 25% of people who come down with the common cold will have prolonged symptoms.
While it’s normal to feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle against your prolonged cold, a few things can help make getting better a little easier.
Read More »A prolonged cold will likely make you miserable, with a scratchy throat, achy body, and sneezing. Other symptoms include a thick or discolored nasal discharge, stuffy nose, and congestion.
If your symptoms don’t meet these criteria, it could be something else, such as allergies, sinusitis, or the flu. It is, therefore, advisable to visit a physician for an accurate diagnosis.
Take Care of Your Immune System
Your immune system is your first line of defense against colds, so taking care of it can help shorten the duration of your illness. Make sure to eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. You can also consider taking immune-boosting supplements like Vitamin C or Zinc, but consult your healthcare provider before doing so.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated can help thin out mucus and make it easier to expel. Drink plenty of water, herbal teas, and clear broths. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks, as they can dehydrate you.
Use Saline Nasal Sprays
Saline nasal sprays can help relieve congestion and dryness in the nasal passages, making breathing easier. They can also help flush out mucus and irritants from your nasal passages, reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Look for saline nasal sprays without decongestants, as they can cause rebound congestion if used for too long.
Try Natural Remedies
Honey can help soothe a sore throat, while ginger and garlic have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that can help boost your immune system. However, talk to your healthcare provider before using any natural remedies, especially if you are taking any medications or have any underlying health conditions.
Practice Good Hygiene
Colds are highly contagious. It’s, therefore, important to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water before eating or touching your face. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze, and avoid close contact with other sick people.
Rest and Relax
Rest allows your body to focus its energy on fighting off the virus. Take a break from work or school, and get plenty of sleep. You can also try relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to reduce stress and support your immune system.
Watch the Weather
Cold weather decreases your body’s ability to produce mucus and weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to the infection. With this in mind, wear layers of clothing that can trap heat and take extra precautions if you go outdoors.
Stabilize Blood Sugar
Rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels can put patients at increased risk for a prolonged cold. To prevent this, your healthcare provider may recommend a special diet plan that slowly increases your daily insulin dose.
Alternatively, they may advise that you take your insulin as a shot rather than through the pump since this will have a more even and sustained effect on your blood sugar.
Avoid Over-the-Counter Cold Medication
Over-the-counter cold medications can relieve some symptoms, but they can also cause side effects like drowsiness, rapid heart rate, and insomnia, further prolonging your cold.
Avoid Smoke
Exposure to smoke weakens the respiratory system and makes it more susceptible to cold viruses. Smoking also increases your blood’s level of ammonia, a toxic byproduct. This increase causes your body to produce more mucus, aggravating a cold and making it more difficult to fight off.
Possible Complications of a Prolonged Cold
• A persistent cough may lead to bronchitis or even respiratory failure.
• The infection may spread to the blood and infect the heart, causing infective endocarditis.
• A protracted cold can also produce a severe middle ear infection.
• Some people develop pneumonia, which can worsen their underlying medical conditions.
How to Stay Away From the Cold
Now that we have seen how to quicken the recovery from a prolonged cold, here are some tips to avoid contracting the virus in the first place.
- Wash your Hands Often
Wash your hands often, especially when you are out and about. Make it a point to use hand sanitizer after touching public surfaces like door handles or shopping carts. Doing this will not only keep you healthy but also the people around you. - Avoid Crowded Areas
If you must go somewhere crowded, wear a mask and carry an extra pair of handkerchiefs. Store these items in a zip lock bag to prevent cross-contamination by anyone else with the cold. - Get a Flu Shot
The flu is a common cold virus that can cause more severe symptoms. It is recommended that all patients over six months get the flu shot. The yearly shots help combat evolved strains of the virus during the season.
More than half of all Americans get the flu shot each year. - Exercise
Exercising will help your body fight off cold viruses by strengthening your immune system. In addition, it will help you feel happier and more energized, which is crucial when recovering from a cold.
Bottom-line
Awareness of the signs and symptoms of a cold is essential. When caught early, most people recover quickly. However, colds can cause severe complications if they get mishandled. Therefore, it is crucial to visit a medical professional if you think that you have the symptoms of a cold. Contact us today for any inquiries or more information on the topic
