All of us suffer from cold or cough at one time or another. Catching a cold can never be a pleasant experience and can cause a lot of discomfort especially when it is accompanied by a runny nose and cough. In our country, millions of cases of cold are reported every year.

Cold is a very common viral infection that affects the respiratory tract. Colds are usually considered to be harmless and in most cases, the condition clears up on its own within a week or two. Symptoms usually include-

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Headaches

How to treat cough, cold and runny nose?
Treatment usually depends on the severity of cold and cough. Sadly, there is no cure for cold but that doesn’t mean you can’t get relief. Over-the-counter medications can relieve the symptoms but there is no guarantee that will make your cold go away faster. Here are some ways by which you can ease symptoms of cold and give yourself some relief at home-

• Increase fluid intake

  Drink as many fluids as you can to keep yourself hydrated and to keep your throat moist. Hot fluids like soups can help cut down congestion. Make sure that the fluids that you drink are high in Vitamin C.

• Honey

  Honey is an age-old remedy for treating ailments like cold and cough. You can simply consume honey by mixing it in warm water or in lemon juice. You may also add a pinch of cinnamon to this syrup.

• Nasal Spray

  One of the best ways to get rid of nasal congestion is using a nasal spray. It will not only reduce the congestion but can also reduce the infection.

• Ginger Tea

  Ginger tea is quite effective in treating common cold and cough. It not only helps in drying runny nose, but it also speeds up the recovery process.

• Brandy

  Brandy increases the body temperature and is known to make the chest warm. Just a teaspoon of brandy can help improve symptoms of common cold.

• Gargle with Salt Water

  It is one of the best ways to soothe a sore throat as water hydrates the throat and salt helps in coping with the infection. Gargle few times in a day for temporary relief from the sore and scratchy throat.

• Get plenty of rest

  If you are feeling sick, it is very important to get plenty of rest and quality sleep. It will help you not only to fight off a cold but will allow the body to fight the infection and recover fast.

• Steam inhalation

  Steam inhalation is one of the most effective ways to get rid of nasal congestion and also to get rid of a sore throat and runny nose. Steam loosens up mucus and provides instant relief.

These are some of the ways by which one can battle the symptoms of cold. But how soon can you win this battle essentially depends on how strong your immune system is in the first place. Remember to call the doctor if the symptoms last for more than 10 days or if the symptoms include high fever, severe body ache etc.

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