How to Treat a Cold Winter has arrived, and the cold weather will become colder over the next few months. 85% will catch a cold (there are thousands of different "cold" viruses.). Its true name is "acute coryza", commonly called “the flu” (an incorrect term), URTI (upper respiratory tract infection), or simply “the lurgie”.

SYMPTOMS
Catch a chill (get wet, cold), and the  nose starts to run, then clogs up, a sore throat, maybe tingly skin, muscle aches, feeling feverish and sweaty, maybe a cough, bleary eyes, grumpy and maybe sleepy. These are caused by the toxins produced by the rapidly multiplying virus in your body.

WHAT TO DO
Keep warm, keep dry, keep out of drafts. Warmth is essential. Have a body warmth shower each day, end with cool, then dab dry with a soft towel. A day in bed is often a good idea as it gives the immune system a better chance to fight and defeat the virus.

Clogged up nostrils. Use paper tissues, and discard. Inhaling warm salty water through each nostril separately helps.  It clears away the sticky stuff, allows normal breathing. The fluid passes through the nasal passages and is then coughed up and expectorated. 

Repeat as often as necessary. Salty water is the same as normal body fluids. "Narium" spray is the same. I avoid nasal "decongestants", which chemically shrink  nasal blood vessels, but do not use for more than 2-3 days.

Water. Drink at least 1.5 to 2.0 L a day. This swishes unwanted dead germs and toxins from the system via the kidney system.

COUGHS
Coughs. This invariably follows. Current medical opinion says most mixtures are  virtually useless. Those containing codeine or pholcodine have been used for decades. Sipping honey is in favour. Slowly suck quarter tsp every few hours. It is very soothing. Lemon and honey (hot or cold) is also excellent. Dissolve 1 tsp in glass of hot water, and sip slowly. Or squeeze lemon in glass, and add 50% honey, stir, and take 1 tsp every time cough worries. Best if hot.

"Water Vapour"  Take yourself or the kids into the bathroom filled with water vapour. (Turn on hot shower for a few minutes till "fog" fills room). Stay there 10-15 minutes to inflame airways .This is very soothing, and helps reduce cough. Wash face with cold water before leaving to avoid fresh chill. Keep bedroom warm. Some find a slowly simmering kettle also moistens and warms the air (but care if kids around).

Aches and Pains. Paracetamol is currently in favour. 2 x 500 mg tablets one to four times a day (adult) relieves fever and reduces pains. Keep to minimum. Syrup for kids (follow label)  Aspirin is definitely out of favour, specially for children. Sucking zinc lozenges is said to ease sore throats.

VITAMIN C
General treatments:  Does vitamin C (or calcium ascorbate powder or tablets) help? I take 2,500 mg a day routinely. (In all my working career I’ve only had two weeks off work with "bad flu" in 1971) Doctors still cannot agree – but it wont hurt. A daily multi vitamin mineral tablet also is OK.  Avoid heavy meals, eat sparingly.

Dr Nature: Fortunately, Dr Nature will cure most within 5-10 with or without treatment. With persisting symptoms, specially chest pain or shortness of breath see the doctor, for pneumonia can follow, and antibiotics will fix most, (but not a cold).

Immunisation: A yearly "Fluvax" shot and three-yearly "Pneumovax" will help check serious forms of the flu and pneumonia (good for the elderly and those mixing with crowds). But it will not  prevent a cold. Do not smoke and avoid smokers.
 
HOLIDAY HOME
If an older person living at home needs some "respite" (often to help the carer have a break), give David a ring on 02 9878 1793.  A few weeks in the Assisted Living block at "Vimiera Village" provides all the daily needs.  All meals, linen and laundry, domestic duties, 24/7 emergency "on call" are available. This is in addition to the comfy independent living units.  More on vimieravillage.com.au. Located at 217 Vimiera Rd., Eastwood (adjacent to Epping High School).

Sincerely your friend,