Preventing and managing common cold and sinus problems

Colds are considered to be the immune system’s response to viral invasion. It is characterized by sneezing, scratchy throat, and runny nose. People with Colds may also have a sore throat, cough, Headache, mild fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and experience loss of appetite.

Common cold for last one month or so means it is turning to sinusitis and you might be allergic to something. So, how to get relief from common cold and sinus problems.

I do advise all my patients following 3 regular routines to deal with common cold and sinusitis:

1. Steam inhalation,
2. Saline gargle and
3. Breathing exercises.

1. Steam inhalation

Increased mucociliary activity has been observed with saline irrigation and steam inhalation which seems to achieve faster recovery. In patients of chronic sinusitis disease, the mucociliary activity is known to be impaired. It is found that steam inhalation improved mucociliary activity significantly in chronic sinus patients.

Nasal inhalation of steam has been proposed as treatment of viral colds on the assumption that increased intranasal temperature will inhibit replication of rhinovirus. The steam inactivates the flu virus. Most people at home use the old fashioned way of head over a bowl of steaming hot water.

If you are taking homeopathic medicines, I advise to take plain steam inhalation and not to mix any vicks, eucalyptus oil or menthol or aromatic herbal leaves (like tulasi) in steam inhalation.

2. Saline gargle

Gargling with warm salt water

A saltwater gargle — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water — can relieve a sore or scratchy throat. Saline gargle has a higher salt concentration than your cells’ salt concentration, so, it will tend to draw out some of the edema fluid from the mucosa of the throat. This will make your “sore throat” symptoms better. The relief is very real, but also tends to be short-lived.

In some cases, gargling with saltwater also has a cleansing action. If you are suffering from postnasal drainage due to a sinus infection or allergies, the mucus that drains from your nasal cavity is full of chemicals that tend to promote an inflammatory response. As this stuff drains down the back of your throat, it leaves a trail of inflamed tissues in its wake. Frequent gargling with saltwater will help minimize this problem.

3. Breathing exercise

Yoga exercise deals with holistic development of the person. The yogic lifestyle will help in preventing cold and sinus problems. Th breathing exercise with exhalation to expel stale air and impurities from your airways and lungs, and taking deep breath to expand the lungs fully to maximise the lung capacity.

Do it anytime when your breathing passages and sinuses are blocked, and several times daily as a preventative for common cold and sinus problems.

Do breathing exercises at home or work to calm, relax and energize.

Enjoy your best health with more energy.