Care Reminders
REMEMBER, FIRST AND FOREMOSTGET ZZZ’s
Rest 8 - 10 hours per day (combined hours of naps & nighttime sleep).
Sleep is theorized to produce more robust white blood cell activity to fight infection.
WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY
Wash for 20 seconds with soap & water
or use a 60%+ alcohol-based antiseptic gel.
Use bleach or alcohol wipes for surfaces;
cold germs can live on counters for 3+ hours.
DRINK ...(non-alcoholic fluids, that is)
Drink 8-10 servings of an 8 oz glass of water a day.
(Drink 10 servings if you have a fever.)
Hydration thins the mucus in the lungs/ nose & soothes the throat.
Hot liquids may improve nasal & sinus congestion.
ENJOY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP: “Mother knows best"
Remember your mom's remedy of chicken noodle soup for colds?
She was right! Eat a well-balanced diet, including chicken broth.
It contains a beneficial amino acid, cysteine. This fights inflammation in the upper respiratory system while hydrating & thinning mucus in the nose/ lungs.
RETURN TO EXERCISE WHEN TOLERATED
If you are missing your exercise routine, return to it gradually, once fever & "below the neck" symptoms (coughing, abdominal upset or discomfort, muscles aches) have cleared. Reduce the exercise workout time & intensity. For example, instead of jogging, go for a walk. However, if tolerated, you may continue to exercise if you have only "above the neck" symptoms (typical nose, throat & sinus issues).
MOISTURIZE
Use petroleum jelly at the base of the nasal passages
to relieve soreness with a runny nose.
HUMIDIFY
Use hot steam showers or a humidifier
to help open sinuses & ease sinus pressure.
SLEEP WITH YOUR HEAD UP
If you experience coughing when laying down,
use 3-4 pillows to prop your head up.