Solutions to help you heal quickly from a winter cold

So you were doing everything you could to prevent getting sick this winter, but sadly, one of the plethora of viruses making the rounds this cold and flu season got ahold of you, and now you’re sick.  So now what do you do?  Below are a number of different solutions to help you heal quickly and reduce the severity of your infection.

1. Cold and Flu Essentials Kit
   • This year, Dr. Cristina has prepared Cold and Flu Essentials Kits for both adults and kids and these are available for purchase at Sana Health Centre
   • There are supplements in the kits for the prevention of colds and flus, and to strengthen the immune system, but there are also botanicals and  nutrients in the kits that can be used to effectively treat an infection at the first sign of symptoms
   • Call Sana Health Centre today and speak with Dr. Cristina to see if the Cold and Flu Essentials Kit is right for you
2. Natural Flu Shots
   • Many of you already know about using the Natural Flu Shot for prevention of colds and flus, and for strengthening the immune system, but did you know you can also use it to treat colds and flus?
   • I have seen great results with using the Natural Flu Shot in treating colds and flus in practice when patients call me when they are first seeing symptoms come up.  I have also seen lingering coughs etc. get better quickly when patients do an extra Natural Flu Shot
   • It is completely safe to do in between maintenance and prevention doses
   • You can’t overdose on it, so you can use it as frequently as necessary to get over your current cold or flu
   • And just as a reminder, the Natural Flu Shot is safe in infants, elderly, pregnant patients, and patients on medications.  It’s safe for everybody!  And, it’s done orally, so no need to worry about another needle prick!
   • Feel free to call Sana Health Centre for more information at 905-265-0144 or check out our Natural Flu Shot webpage.
3. Drink Lots of Fluids
   • Fluids will help you stay well hydrated, especially if you are sweating a lot due to fever, or are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting and losing fluids that way
   • Drinking lots of water will also help to flush your system, and the bugs along with it!
   • Try making honey, lemon and ginger tea: slice some peeled, fresh ginger into a small pot of water, bring it to a boil, and allow to simmer, covered for 10-15 minutes. Add about a quarter of a lemon including the rind, and a teaspoon of honey. Drink as often as you like throughout the day.  Click here for reasons on how the tea helps.
4. Watch Your Diet
   • You want to make sure you have a healthy diet rich in fruits, veggies and good nutrients so your immune system has all it needs to fight off infection
   • Avoid sugar as it will decrease your immune system function by 50% for the next number of hours, plus bugs love to use sugar as fuel to help them multiply
   • Garlic, onions, ginger, turmeric and cayenne are all warming, and are great anti-microbials
   • Consider the BRAT diet if you have diarrhea:  Banana, Rice, Applesauce and Toast
5. Make Some Chicken Soup
   • While we’re on the subject of diet, Grandma was right:  make some chicken soup to help combat what ails you
   • Research has confirmed that the overall properties of chicken soup actually help your body heal from the common cold!
   • So make yourself a big pot, or bribe someone to do it for you, and enjoy!
6. Warming Sock Treatment
   • While this may sound like slow torture, it’s incredible how well it works to pull out any congestion in the body, including mucous build up in the nose, sinuses, and lungs, as well as helping reduce headache and sore throat symptoms
   • Directions:  right before bed…
     1. Ensure your feet are warm prior to beginning treatment
     2. Take a very thin pair of cotton socks and run them under cool water
     3. Wring them out completely
     4. Put on this cotton pair of socks, and over top put on a dry, thick wool pair of socks
     5. Go to bed
     6. Don’t remove socks until the socks are dry and your feet are warm (this will actually happen, I promise!)
     7. If you feel you cannot wait this out, and you remove the socks while they are still wet and cold, ensure you warm your feet back up before going back to bed
7. Get Plenty of Rest
   • Your body needs rest and relaxation for all that internal work your immune system has to do to fight the bugs, and recuperate afterwards
   • The harder you push, the longer it will take to get over your infection, and the worse you will feel after
   • Give yourself permission to take a few days off, get some good quality rest, and come back stronger than you were before!

Please remember that this article is for information purposes only, and is not intended to assess, diagnose or treat specific conditions. Please speak with your healthcare provider for how this information could apply to your overall health situation.

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