Wash Your Hands of the Cold Season

Article by healthybalance.com staff
Posted on December 05, 2007

Cold weather usually means cold symptoms. What can you do to prevent or fight sickness? The studies are in! The best way to avoid getting a cold is old-fashioned, frequent hand washing. Nearly 80% of contagious diseases are transmitted by touch. Rubbing your hands together with soap, water and thorough rinsing and drying gets rid of many potentially harmful germs. Even though germs are often spread by touching household objects (phones, doorknobs, faucets, etc.), the most likely culprits are your own two hands.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the simple act of washing your hands is the single most important means of preventing the spread of viral and bacterial infections. Yet, some studies reveal that many Americans do not wash their hands after using public restrooms; forget to wash before preparing food; and snack on food without washing hands first.
If you really want to wash your hands of being sick this winter . . . well . . . wash your hands!

Feed your cold

Aside from washing your hands, make sure your immune system receives the nourishment it needs. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially dark green foods like spinach that are rich in vitamins A and C. Eating foods with omega-3 fatty acids – salmon swims to mind – aids the fight against inflammation. And, eating low-fat yogurt can help stimulate your immune system. A healthy diet coupled with regular aerobic exercise boosts your immune system even more. You may still catch a virus, but the symptoms will last a shorter time and be less severe.
Since no tried and true cure for the common cold exists, you might get sick despite your best preventive efforts. When this happens, your two most important weapons are plenty of rest and plenty of water. Often times these two curative components are overlooked. Your body may require as much as 12 hours sleep a night to overcome illness. Ensuring full recovery before returning to your everyday life is crucially important. If you try to “keep on keeping on,” you may develop problems with your kidneys, pancreas and liver.

Stay hydrated

Drinking a lot of water helps the mucus flow freely from your body. This action not only relieves congestion but also transports germs out of your body.
Natural herbs, minerals, vitamins and supplements can also help decrease the length and severity of flu and cold symptoms.

Natural ways to fight the good fight against colds:

•Echinacea at the first sign of symptoms boosts your immune response.
•Lemon and honey relieve cough and scratchiness in your throat.
•Menthol and eucalyptus help open breathing passages.
•Doubling your daily dose of multiple vitamins and minerals, especially Zinc and Vitamin C, can lessen the time you’re ill and decrease your symptoms’ severity.
•Avoid over-the-counter remedies, which block normal body functions and hinder immune system activity.
•Colloidal silver, garlic and cayenne pepper are natural alternatives to antibiotics.
•Ma Huang (natural ephedra) can help balance your mucous membranes.