Ugh, how do you get rid of a cold fast??

[bitesize]

I feel pretty nasty today and look muchly unattractive, but I need to have manned up by tomorrow for college and a lunch date......any advice?? I know the general stuff like vitamin C and bed, and hot tea&water bottles, and I am applying all of these vigorously, but if there's any specific tricks out there let me have them.x

[escape_thereal_world]

Other than what you are doing, there isn't much else to do. Taking some over the counter meds can help relieve some symptoms so that it makes you feel better for a little while.

Honestly, my boyfriend and I just caught a terrible cold. It's been about four days and we're both still achy, sneezy, and stuffed up. We just laid in bed the past few days recovering. That's the best thing you can do. Rest and liquids.

[PutYourHeartsUp]

I don't know that there's really a way to speed the actual cold up, but you can always try to relieve the symptoms as much as possible if you're comfortable with OTC medicine or home remedies. I don't know any other than what you've said though.

[Sincerely Yours ♥]

I'm not sure which over the counter drugs they offer where you live, but DayQuil or NyQuil is amazing. I've had a cold for a week & the only sign I've shown while taking it was a stuffy nose. But make sure to get plenty of rest.

[JKmadu619]

Dayquil anjd Nyquil kick ass. Especially because they come in liquid form, and I'm not good at taking pills.

- Justin

[bitesize]

Originally Posted by Sincerely Yours

DayQuil or NyQuil is amazing..

Awh man, never even heard of those, which means they're probably not available over here. :/ Thanks for the help though!!x

[Nicole!]

What I do is buy the box that has Dayquil and Nyquil and take one Dayquil in the morning and a Nyquil at night. Get lots of sleep and eat healthy. Other then that, not much you can do but wait until you get better.

[Revolution]

I bet there are similar products where you live. Come on, where are our Irish TeenHelpers?
To make it go faster, the best thing to do is to take good care of yourself like you're doing. Eat a lot of fruits vegetables as well, you didn't mention that one. A good mixture Vitamin C and fiber to be able to cleanse yourself. And just sleep loads.

[escape_thereal_world]

If your sinuses are congested you want something with Phenylephrine in it. Dextromethorphan you have to be 18 in the states to buy but it is in things like Robitussin for cough. Things with acetaminophen in them will help with body ache, headaches, and any swelling you might have in your throat. Just be sure if you take Ibuprofen or Advil that the OTC meds do not have it in them too.

Keep in mind, these will only treat the SYMPTOMS and not your cold. Robitussin is pretty good and there are different types you can get. Some work for Mucus others work more on coughs. They have daytime or nighttime. Some for colds others for flu-like symptoms.

Just go down your store aisle and look for your symptoms. Generally most should work somewhat. With most decongestants you should drink A LOT of water to help it do its job. Hope this helps you decide what meds to take And I hope you get better soon!

[BDF]

You want to kick your immune system/metabolism into action. I find that one of the most effective ways to get out of a mild cold is to go run on a treadmill for 10 mins to even 30 mins, at whatever speed your comfortable at. If not run then walk briskly. It speeds up your heart rate, which somehow helps with fighting things like cold/flu. It honestly works very well for me.

Apart from that what I also do is pack a big meal and lots of meds before going to bed. And water, plently of water so you don't get dehydrated. Being dehydrated is never good, but it's particularly bad when you're sick.

With those methods I find myself able to recover completely even in 2 days.

[The Morrigan]

Originally Posted by bitesize

Awh man, never even heard of those, which means they're probably not available over here. :/ Thanks for the help though!!x

DayNurse and NightNurse are UK alternatives of them. I'm assuming they'd be available in Ireland too

[Magic.]

I recommend Beechams ... but not the regular stuff. They have an awesome super strong version, where you're only allowed to take like 2/3 caps max per day. I took them before I went to bed once, and by the morning my cold was pretty much gone. Like I had to take them for the next few days, but the coughing / nose running / sneezing etc died down a LOT.
Otherwise their other products are pretty good. I take their flu meds whenever I get a cold over here, because I ran out of the strong stuff and only have the flu ones left with me in Aus ...
If you wanna clear a stuffy nose / chest ... boil some water and put it in a bowl. Put a towel over your head and lean over it, the steam helps clear everything, plus it's great for your skin too. If you can get hold of a drop of eucalypt oil or two, that's even better. It's the stuff in vicks, and really helps decongest everything