Relieving Cold Symptoms

Stuffy Nose

  • Humidify with a vaporizer and take a steamy shower
  • Decongestants: look for products containing pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
  • Avoid decongestants if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or hypertension. Decongestants may cause wakefulness, irritability, increased blood pressure and faster heart rate.

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Mucous Producing Cough

  • Drink lots of clear fluids. Water is best.
  • Humidify
  • If you smoke, stop
  • Cough syrup with an expectorant or guaifenesin (Robitussin or Triaminic Expectorant)
  • Milk and milk products may increase congestion. Do not try to suppress a mucus-producing cough. It is an important healing aid.

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Frequent Dry Hacking Cough

  • Humidify with a vaporizer
  • Drink lots of fluids
  • Use throat lozenges
  • Cough suppressants (look for ingredients with Dextromethorphan)
  • Dextromethorphan may cause drowsiness or upset stomach

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Headache, Body Aches, & Fever

  • Rest in a peaceful, calm environment
  • Try relaxation exercises
  • Drink fluids for fever
  • Aspirin or Acetaminophen (brand names do not make a difference)
  • If you are on other medications, be sure that there are no adverse drug interactions. Avoid aspirin if you have ulcers or bleeding problems. Before taking aspirin, check to see that the other products you are taking do not already contain aspirin.

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Sore Throat; Hoarseness

  • Rest vocal cords
  • Humidify with a vaporizer
  • Drink lots of fluids
  • Gargle with salt water (1 teaspoon. in ˝ glass of warm water)
  • Use throat lozenges—with topical anesthetics such as Benzocaine (Sucrets, Chloraseptic lozenges) Benzocaine provides temporary relief but may alter your sense of taste and smell.

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