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Xeratul 11-28-2013 07:35 PM

Winter and how to rapidly kill a cold?
 
Hi,

Well. And again winter. Running nose, cold,... are common in winter.
You may follow common practices http://www.wikihow.com/Cure-a-Cold-Fast, but what about traditional/hi-tech methods?

More advanced methods:
- A milk with garlic potion
- A one hour of walk in the nature (with warm clothes)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicks
- Sleeping with a running nose (if you really can)
...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP7kJFG5Uvk#t=20 <- this is quite too much.

Maybe to radically prevent it, is better somehow.

Btw, do those guys get sick? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLnD-9tNh04
"Swimming in the cold water offers many health benefits, it has known to reduce blood pressure and to keep the regular cold away."
Heart-attacks and cold water swimming?
http://jonathan-knott.com/2012/04/03...ater-swimming/
But I still do not believe in it.

Professor Tipton has been researching this area for almost20 years, and says there is strong evidence for cold-water acclimatisation. His experiments demonstrate that five daily 2-3 minute immersions can eliminate the cold shock response, and that even after 14 months without immersion, this brief acclimatisation still works at around 50 per cent. After ten exposures of 45 minutes,the professor has found that people stop shivering, too. The conditioned swimmers were actually getting colder than their non-acclimatised counterparts – the difference being that their bodies had learned to function normally at lower temperatures. However, the comfort lasts only within the times and temperatures that people are acclimatised to, after which the normal cold response kicks in.

A Czech study in 1996, for example, found that winter swimmers had more white blood cells (key to the immune system), while a 1999 study involving Berlin winter swimmers found they had more antioxidants (these help fight cancer) than non-swimmers.


But Tipton urges caution about such studies: “For every study that shows something, there is one or two that show nothing.” He also says that there can be methodological problems: “They tend to make the comparison with people who do nothing. But you really need a matching group of warm-water swimmers.”. Cold-water adaptation follows the same principle as any other kind of habituation, which is that a repeated mild stress to our bodies produces physiological changes. With physical exercise, these include a host of benefi ts, such as better cardiovascular health and stimulating the endocrine (glandular) system, which together can significantly extend our active lives. But Tipton says there’s no evidence cold-water swimming creates benefits that go beyond these.

Cold-water immersion causes large amounts of ‘stress hormones’ such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol – as well as endorphins (natural opioid painkillers) – to flood the brain.

Your heart works very hard in cold water. Winter swimmers should get it tested to make sure it can withstand the pressure.

Furthermore research has shown that while swimmers who train moderately get fewer viral infections (colds and flu) than non-swimmers, those in heavy training become sick as often as those who don’t train.

So, too much training might be of low benefits, since you may get too tired.

TAP INTO THE HEALING POWERS OF WATER TO FIGHT DISEASE, LOOK YOUNGER, AND FEEL YOUR BEST (McGraw-Hill 2007) says that a few seconds of cold water after your hot shower is scientifically proven to make you healthy – even if you’re in the cold water for less than 30 seconds a day. Remember that cold water therapy works only if done regularly, and also needs a few weeks (about six) to work.

These techniques boot your immunity system radically.

Gamma interferon and interleukin-4 are two important virus-fighting cytokines (immune system proteins) A new German study has shown that cold water exposure helps these two disease-fighters work better together, resulting in fewer viral colds.

A cold shower increases lymphocytes in the blood. Lymphocytes produce antibodies, which help fight germs.

So, what about a cold showering daily? May it help to boost your immunity system?

Immunity system:
A low white cell count can have many different meanings. If your white count is low and you are getting multiple infections especially with viruses or bacteria that are unusual, then you may need a more extensive work up. Otherwise, you are probably fine. Let me explain. The "normal" white count in humans varies widely. It could be normal for some people to have a white count of 2,500 while others its normal to have one of 11,000. That's why its tough to tell whether someone has a low white count because they have a real problem or if its just the way you are.

You may boot your system by eating lots of fruit and vegetables. Such a balanced diet will provide all of the immune system-supporting nutrition you need. Go to bed! Sleep is also important for immune system support. Even mild sleep deprivation reduces your effective activity levels.

The average person needs eight hours of sleep per night and if you do regularly hard training, you may need a little extra. Best sportive performances are achieved when athletes may sleep more than 9hours. Grant Hackett, Australia’s Olympic 1500m freestyle champion is always in bed by 9.00pm every night. Athletes can greatly reduce exercise-related immune system suppression by consuming a carbohydrate sports drink during and after workouts. But the main problem is that the drinks are still not natural for the body. Head colds generally do not hamper exercise performance significantly and exercise does not increase the duration or severity of colds. It may however have some quite dangerous drawbacks. When symptoms move into the chest and lungs, a athletes need to be cautious.

Who has never a cold a winter? If some of you, please let us know how you manage to do so.

Cheers

frankbell 11-28-2013 07:58 PM

I read many years ago that there are two ways to deal with a cold:

1. Drink lots of liquids, take medicine for symptomatic relief, and stay in bed. In a week or ten days, it will be gone.

2. Drink lots of liquids, take medicine for symptomatic relief, drag yourself to work as long as you don't have a fever (if you have a fever, it's likely flu) and won't be assaulted by co-workers who don't want you to expose them to it. In a week or ten days, it will be gone.

On a more serious note, I read in Smithsonian Magazine long before there was a world wide web that, once you get symptoms, you had the cold for at least a week. The symptoms are a result of your body's efforts to fight it off. Since colds are caused by viruses, the only thing you can do is not to abuse your body and wait them out.

To call much of the stuff you see in print or on the web on how to cure a cold "old wives' tales" would be to insult old wives.

The last cold I had was in July. Meteorology has nothing to do with it; it's the microbes.

Edit:

My favorite remedy is a cup of hot tea, two fingers of Scotch, with honey and lemon juice. Doesn't cure a thing, but three of these and you don't care any more.

PTrenholme 11-28-2013 11:37 PM

I think I recall reading that, when you recover from a virus that causes a "cold," you are thereafter immune to that specific virus. (In evidence thereof was offered stories about submarine crews and over-winter Antarctic station personnel who, after a few weeks in isolation, no longer caught any "colds" - until they were exposed to non-isolated people.)

Epidemiological studies show that the incidence of infective illness, as a function of age, follows an exponential decay curve from age zero through about age 18, rises again to a peak (lower then the age zero peak), followed be another exponential decay. From this it's possible to conclude that the immune system "learns" to cope with infective agents by being exposed to such agents, with the primary exposure started by birth, and the secondary peak caused by exposure to "novel" infections brought home by one's children.

So, to avoid having a "cold,"
  1. Don't have children.
  2. Don't go out in public.
  3. Live to an old age.
The only part of that list I've followed is item (3), but that seems to be working fairly well for me so far. (Note that the list only addresses infective agents. The are some other, obvious, drawbacks to (3), but viable alternatives are, so far, quite limited.)

kooru 11-29-2013 12:53 AM

The only solution is holiday in a hot place and come back between 4-5 months ;)

cascade9 11-29-2013 06:07 AM

I always have a good hot curry, or other spicy food when I feel a cold coming on. I believe that is part of the reason why I havent had much more than a bit of the sniffles in years now.....and I'm silly enough to smoke. ;)

Lots of the spices and ingredients in curries, like chilis, ginger, garlic, tumeric, cloves and fenugreek have antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Germany_chris 11-29-2013 08:57 AM

I eat oranges drink water and make sure I get out and walk or run everyday. In the Army they said to run out your cold and there is nothing less pleasant than big gobs of nasty coming out of your nose while running but you do feel better when you're done.

DavidMcCann 11-29-2013 12:59 PM

I used to brew up a remedy with ginger root, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom seeds, and lemon. I don't know if it shortened the cold, but it left me feeling that I was being treated!

Xeratul 11-29-2013 01:36 PM

"Lots of the spices and ingredients in curries, like chilis, ginger, garlic, tumeric, cloves and fenugreek have antiviral and antibacterial properties."
I just found some garlic into the kitchen.
I will make a juice with 2 cloves, and oranvge
and i hope that it helps




Quote:

Originally Posted by Germany_chris (Post 5072445)
I eat oranges drink water and make sure I get out and walk or run everyday. In the Army they said to run out your cold and there is nothing less pleasant than big gobs of nasty coming out of your nose while running but you do feel better when you're done.

Wehn I had a flue or beginning (intgestinal)
I went to jpg at comfortable speed and after 30min, it was better.
Two days ago, AM, I went to jog this time with
this damn cold and one day after it was fine and better.
But so stupid, I went outside yesterday, and
left my jacket open for 3-4 min, and today, I got my
pay back - Got a big slap,and I have a bit running
nose and it is green. damn I wont sleep at all the
whole night... with so much green stuffs.

I consider tomorrow am to jog or walk outside in the
deep nature with a lot of clothes on (warm).


Why do they say to do in the US army? and how to practice it?
I believe in it since I say imporovement the day
that I went to jog very early in the morning, and
at about 6 or 7 am.
I believe that it blows fresh oxygen in teh lungs
and oxygen "irrigates" the alveola. dont know, not doctor.

I think that for cold shower, it is already too late.


"Lots of the spices and ingredients in curries, like chilis, ginger, garlic, tumeric, cloves and fenugreek have antiviral and antibacterial properties."
Might be good.
But this is a solution that is too light, is like to
clean with a soap and water, something that need a mechanical cleanign such as with a metallic sponge and hand.

honey, butter, garlic and milk potion did not work at all, at all. no single improvement.

maybe to breath to curly or garlic <--- caution: do not do that.this is a bad joke and bad idea

Please describe the US army method or other strong one?

Running nose :( hip.

patrick295767 11-29-2013 02:11 PM

Quote:

What are the Benefits of Cinnamon?
Cinnamon has extremely high anti-oxidant activity, and the oil of cinnamon has strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Cinnamon is also a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium. As a result, it has been used as an effective home remedy for:

Reducing blood sugar levels and treating Type 2 Diabetes.
Lowering cholesterol.
Aiding digestion.
Treating diarrhea.
Curing the common cold.
Reducing arthritis pain.
Boosting memory and cognitive function.
Treating toothaches.
Eliminating bad breath.
Curing headaches and migraine pain.
Uses of Cinnamon
Home Remedy for Arthritis
Cinnamon has recently been shown to act as a natural remedy for Arthritis pain.

Home Remedy for Diabetes
Research suggests that cinnamon may help treat Type 2 Diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the amount of insulin production in the body.

Home Remedy for Reducing Cholesterol
Recent studies have shown that consuming small amounts of cinnamon can help reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad one). Simply eat half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder daily. The cinnamon can be added as a mild sweetener to coffee or tea.

Home Remedy for Eliminating Headaches and Migraine Pain
Cinnamon has been found to be an effective natural remedy for eliminating headaches and migraine relief.

Home Remedy for Coughs and the Common Cold
Chinese medicine has long used cinnamon as a natural remedy for coughs and the common cold. A simple herbal remedy for treating a sore throat is the following:

Add a cinnamon stick to boiling water.
Let boil for 2 minutes.
Remove the cinnamon stick.
Use the cinnamon water for any herbal tea, such as green tea.
Drink this tea two times per day. If the cold persists for longer than 3 days, consult your doctor.
Home Remedy for Toothaches
Cinnamon has been known to help relieve toothache pain. Simply make a paste using five teaspoons of honey mixed with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply a small amount of this paste directly onto the aching tooth 2 or 3 times daily until the pain is relieved. You can store any extra paste in a small container at room temperature.

What are the Side Effects of Cinnamon?
Some recent studies in Europe have shown that cinnamon derived from the Cassia plant contains a toxic compound known as Coumarin. This compound is known to cause liver and kidney damage in high concentrations. Since the powdered cinnamon that we purchase in our supermarkets is typically derived from the Cassia plant, it is important to avoid consuming high doses of it.

Since cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood, caution should also be exercised when it is used in combination with other blood-thinning products such as aspirin. Large quantities of cinnamon should also be avoided during pregnancy due to the possibility of adverse effects on the uterus.

Anyone that is currently taking medication for controlling blood sugar levels or blood thinners should consult their doctor before using cinnamon as a regular supplement
One working method is : a teaspoon of honey (raw is best) and a 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
I recommend but small doses.

Too much garlic is not so much recommended. Example: http://www.ener-chi.com/tag/dangers-of-garlic/

frankbell 11-29-2013 08:29 PM

You can take precautions to reduce the chances you will catch a cold (or that it will catch you) and to reduce the symptoms, but there is no way to cure one other than to let it work its course.

If someone claims he or she can sell you a cure, take several grains of salt and research it at a reputable site, such as mayoclinic.com.

I believe that PTrenholme is correct about the immunity, but Mayo Clinic says well over 100 viruses can produce cold symptoms, and they mutate constantly.

Germany_chris 11-30-2013 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xeratul (Post 5072546)
"Lots of the spices and ingredients in curries, like chilis, ginger, garlic, tumeric, cloves and fenugreek have antiviral and antibacterial properties."
I just found some garlic into the kitchen.
I will make a juice with 2 cloves, and oranvge
and i hope that it helps





Wehn I had a flue or beginning (intgestinal)
I went to jpg at comfortable speed and after 30min, it was better.
Two days ago, AM, I went to jog this time with
this damn cold and one day after it was fine and better.
But so stupid, I went outside yesterday, and
left my jacket open for 3-4 min, and today, I got my
pay back - Got a big slap,and I have a bit running
nose and it is green. damn I wont sleep at all the
whole night... with so much green stuffs.

I consider tomorrow am to jog or walk outside in the
deep nature with a lot of clothes on (warm).


Why do they say to do in the US army? and how to practice it?
I believe in it since I say imporovement the day
that I went to jog very early in the morning, and
at about 6 or 7 am.
I believe that it blows fresh oxygen in teh lungs
and oxygen "irrigates" the alveola. dont know, not doctor.

I think that for cold shower, it is already too late.


"Lots of the spices and ingredients in curries, like chilis, ginger, garlic, tumeric, cloves and fenugreek have antiviral and antibacterial properties."
Might be good.
But this is a solution that is too light, is like to
clean with a soap and water, something that need a mechanical cleanign such as with a metallic sponge and hand.

honey, butter, garlic and milk potion did not work at all, at all. no single improvement.

maybe to breath to curly or garlic <--- caution: do not do that.this is a bad joke and bad idea

Please describe the US army method or other strong one?

Running nose :( hip.

I was an Infantryman and so I was taught running is the cure for everything ;)

It's the elevation of heart rate and the forcing of fresh air into you lungs and sinuses that seems to take care of it. The fresh air forces all the build up out of your nose and lungs and in many ways (to include health) shortens and prevents colds. My first duty station was Ft. Drum in upstate NY and really after the first winter of acclimatizing you don't get colds much and it's carried me through to this day.

I don't run for a jacket at the first sign of chill and I don't keep the house very warm and that may all help too. In the end I'm just a Polar Bear I don't get cold like most people do so I spend more time out side during the winter than most people do. *shrug* it works for me anyway.

cascade9 11-30-2013 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xeratul (Post 5072546)
"Lots of the spices and ingredients in curries, like chilis, ginger, garlic, tumeric, cloves and fenugreek have antiviral and antibacterial properties."
I just found some garlic into the kitchen.
I will make a juice with 2 cloves, and oranvge
and i hope that it helps

honey, butter, garlic and milk potion did not work at all, at all. no single improvement.

Just drinking some garlic wont help that much, and if it does help it will be in the length of infection, not severity of symptoms. Or to put it more simply, it might make the cold go away faster, but it wont make the running nose etc. better in the short term.

I dont believe that milk is a good idea when you have a cld, it can cause thickening of mucous/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xeratul (Post 5072546)
"Lots of the spices and ingredients in curries, like chilis, ginger, garlic, tumeric, cloves and fenugreek have antiviral and antibacterial properties."
Might be good.
But this is a solution that is too light, is like to
clean with a soap and water, something that need a mechanical cleanign such as with a metallic sponge and hand.

It might be 'too light' if you use them in low quanities. Its best to use as many of those 'good spices' ingredients as possible, rather than just using one like garlic.

If I make noodles with a nice chunk of ginger (a bit smaller than the size of my thumb), a small chili and some tumeric powder it always makes me sinuses run a little, even if I dont have a cold. A good stong curry works a lot better.

Part of how chilis (and some of the other spices I mentioned) helps with colds is by increasing mucus production. Which helps 'blow out' the buildup in your sinuses and lungs.

If you really want a fast and easy way to reduce symptoms with ingredients that most westerners have in the house, try vinegar and honey, at about a 50%/50% mix.

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrick295767 (Post 5072563)
Too much garlic is not so much recommended. Example: http://www.ener-chi.com/tag/dangers-of-garlic/

I'd be laughing at that link if I though you were joking, but I dont think you are....

That is one of the misleading articles you'll see on the internet. Largely baseless, with 'facts' that are a joke ('damage to brain cells'- LMAO), and stupid logic failures (if the italians were using garlic on bullets as a poison in WW2, it wouldnt have taken til now for 'garlic-free restaurants' to appear....and they are driven by fashion and the tastes of the former italian dictator Berlusconi among others)

From the looks of that site, the atricle is a combines the Hindu nutjobs (yes, its not just Jews, Christains and Muslims who have crazies) and the threories of Dr. Beck.

Overall, not worth reading, unless you want a laugh, or know about the subject and the biases around garlic in some quaters.

Shadow_7 11-30-2013 05:44 AM

Whiskey? It may not cure the cold, but it will help you sleep with a running nose.

Germany_chris 11-30-2013 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow_7 (Post 5072904)
Whiskey? It may not cure the cold, but it will help you sleep with a running nose.

Whiskey helps with pretty much everything

buccaneere 11-30-2013 02:14 PM

Salt (IF it's a viral infection, as opposed to bacterial (do you have a temperature?) ).

Doc says get plenty of fluids. True.

Why? Virus does NOT like water in a cell, in which the virus is trying to take control, and do it's OWN re-programming for viral re-production - think 'computer virus'.

But when the cold virus DOES get a foothold in a region, like nasal passage cells (rhino-virus, in this example), the FIRST thing it does is start driving water OUT of the nasal passage cells. This is a runny nose.

Only AFTER the body begins to overcome the VIRAL infection - 7-10 usually, not much can be done to impede viral re-production.

Drink lots of fluids? Yep - but that water will NOT get into the virus-controlled cells.

UNLESS...

... the SALT content in those cells is increased. Salt WILL get into those virus-controlled cells. NOTHING will stop that, including a virus in control of the cell. And once the sale gets into the virus-controlled cells, water WILL follow, and make the virus 'uncomfortable', and it will impede viral re-production.

Eat ham, sausage, bacon, any salt-laden food, and you get thirsty in a few hours. Know why? Because the salt gets into all of the body's cells, and then the salt-laden cells take water from the bloodstream, and from interstitial (between cells) spaces. The brain then processes your blood, and says, "Not enough water in the blood", and triggers the thirst response. You drink water, and the body KEEPS it in the blood.

Best way to 'treat' a [some] viral infections. Salt.

And if you're on a Sodium-restricted diet, you needn't worry. There's a hormonal change during a viral infection - more than I can explain here, and it changes what's going on with respect to that condition.

Med-school dropout - I know a little about it... Ask your doctor - he won't say to take salt, but he'll substantiate the physiological processes as I've said here.


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