Cold is a viral disease that is contagious. It infects the soft mucus lining of the nose. There are more than 100 viruses that can cause cold. The major symptom of cold is running nose. Cold is a mild condition which recovers usually in a week. The symptoms sometimes can become very severe leading to influenza. Cold most commonly occurs in winter months when the weather is cool and it affects the adults and children of all ages. Cold is affected by the people two to four times per year. The person becomes affected the day prior to the breaking out of the illness. The droplets that are airborne will spread the infection when the person suffering sneezes and coughs.

The virus will also spread through the hand when the person comes in contact with the person who is infected already. The person who contracts the virus into his hands will catch cold easily when the person touches the nose and mouth with the hands bearing the virus.

Common cold usually includes nasal congestion, sneezing and running nose. The person might also have headache, sore throat, cough and some more symptoms.

Symptoms of Cold

• Sore throat
• Pain while swallowing
• The nose will be running in the beginning and it becomes later thick and yellow
• Sneezing
• Ear aching
• The breathing will become difficult when the mucus membrane in the nose swells
• Cough
• Headache
• Feeling of not being well
• High temperature. The children will run very high temperatures than adults.

Causes of Cold

• The cold will spread from other children.
• Cold occurs at any time of the year and it is contracted from other people who are suffering from cold.
• Tiny air droplets that come out into the air when the infected person sneezes and coughs.
• The infected person sneezing, coughing or blowing in front of others.
• If the nose, mouth and eyes are touched after touching the virus carrying object.
• Coming in contact with the people suffering from cold during first two to three days of cold can result in infection spread. After one week period of cold, it might not be contagious.
• Rhinovirus
• People with low immunity.

The people with asthma, heart disease and diabetes are affected by cold, the current medical condition is enhanced. The risk for developing other medical conditions will be more in these cases.

Home remedies for cold

• The over-the-counter medications will provide temporary relief from cold.
• The remedies include lemon and honey added into warm water taken for two times in a day.
• The body resistance is improved by using vitamin C. It also reduces the toxicity of the viral infection and decreases the duration of cold.
• The garlic cloves boiled in water can be taken as soup which can cause cold symptoms.
• The antispasmodic and antiseptic properties of garlic decrease the discomfort. The garlic oil helps in airway opening causing the respiration to be carried out properly.
• Ginger is another effective home remedy for cold and cough. Ginger tea is added with honey and drinking it hot will provide throat relief. Ginger tea will take away the heavy headedness.
• The turmeric is used for the treatment of cold. The symptoms of cold are relieved by using the turmeric root as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
• The turmeric and ginger added into milk is better to be taken before going to bed in the night at the time of cold.
• The running nose, which is the common symptom of cold can be handled effectively by smelling or inhaling the vapors of apple cider vinegar, eucalyptus oil and turmeric. These substances are added to the steaming water. Inhaling these vapors will enhance the secretions and they become loosened. The nasal discharge will become free.
• The cough and headaches are effectively handled by steam inhalation which is found to reduce the pain severity. The congestion of the nose might result in headache and therefore the inhalation of vapors will release the congestion.
• The itchy throat and sore throat are cleared by gargling using salt water.
• It is always better to blow the nose often when anyone has cold instead of sniffing it back into the nose. If the blowing pressure is very high and when you are blowing often, the phlegm might enter into the ears. This might cause ear pain. Therefore, to avoid this problem, it is better to close one nostril and clear off the mucus in another nostril gently.
• Nose irrigation can be done by using salt water rinse. Salt water rinsing will aid in breaking the nasal congestion as well as in eradicating the virus particles and bacteria from the nose.
• The mixture of salt and baking soda taken each at 1/4^th teaspoon is added to the water. This water can be put into one of the nostrils. By closing that nostril, the water poured inside has to be drained off from other nostril. This can be repeated for few times to remove the congestion.
• To allow the immune system in the body to fight against the infection of cold it is better to take rest for some time and keep yourself warm.
• Taking zinc lozenges also can reduce the severity of the cold.
• The extract made from Echinacea and goldenseal is also used for enhancing the immune system at the time of cold infection.
• Hyssop is taken in tea form by the Native Americans as it acts as an expectorant and fights against the virus infection.
• The mixture of tea tree oil and water is used in treating the sore throat accompanied by cold.
• The broth made from either chicken or potato peel is taken to bring relief from cold.
• The use of handkerchiefs is not recommended while the tissue papers are used for cleaning the mucus that is drained off from the nasal passage and the papers are disposed after usage so that the infection cannot spread through the tissue papers.
• The hands have to be washed very often when you are living along with the person infected.
• The homeopathic remedies that are found to be beneficial are belladonna, Aconite, Antimonium, Arsenicum and Tartaricum.
• The Echinacea herb is considered as antiviral, antibacterial, improves the immune system and enhances the healing.
• The upper respiratory tract infections, reducing the fever, draining the excess mucus secretion and sore throat are managed by horse radish that can be used as dietary supplement and taken for the benefit.
• The herb kava kava can be taken for treating the pain due to cold and can be used for gargling purpose.
• The chronic sore throat can be handled effectively by Myrrh which is a strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Myrrh is considered as an excellent decongestant.
• Oregano oil is mostly used in Europe for battling with the laryngitis, sore throat and respiratory allergies. This oil is known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties.
• Sage is the herb that is used for treating the stuffed nose, coughs, gingivitis and sore throat. This is used for gargling purpose.
• The antiviral and antibiotic that is used for infection is Wild Indigo. This will trigger the immune system and it will treat chronic sore throat.
• Pranayaamam can be done as a yogic practice and walking and jogging can help the person to keep the respiratory system healthy.

Diet that is used for treating common cold

• The immune mechanism can be strengthened by taking vitamin C which enhances the natural defense mechanism that can fight against infections. The foods having rich source of vitamin C are orange, citrus fruits and lemon.
• The diet for the person who has common cold must have fruits, green leafy vegetables, nuts and grains and so on.
• The person must take very light diet which is devoid of red meat, processed foods and greasy foods.
• The chicken soup is found to enhance the tolerance capacity of the people having cold and it is found to reduce the nose stuffiness and clear the nose. It is also observed to be reducing the inflammation.
• Using spinach also helps the person as it has vitamins A and C.
• Fish being rich in omega-3 fatty acids are suggested to be taken by the people suffering from cold as it also has anti-inflammatory properties.
• The fluid intake also has to be more at this stage as it will help the mucus not to cause congestion and even expel the secretions from the body.