How to stop a cold according to the hours you take with it

One day you are fine and the next you nose is runny, you sneeze and your throat is so irritated It looks like you've swallowed a glass with broken glass. Welcome to the annual cold season. Most of us get between one and three colds every year, usually in autumn and winter, caused by one of the more than 200 virus What about constipation.

You will agree that all symptoms are disgusting; but luckily, this condition is relatively easy to overcome and many treatments do not even require you to leave home or take medication.

Many believe there is little you can do about it: a cure for this common disease remains one of the holy grails of medicine, but a better understanding of how your bacteria spread It could be the key. What scientists do know for sure is that first 24 hours are crucial: It is when the infection takes over and begins to multiply causing symptoms.

Three researchers, the professor John oxford, virologist at Queen Mary University in London, the speaker Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Center at Cardiff University and the professor of experimental medicine at Imperial College London, Peter Openshaw, explain in 'The Daily Mail' how to put a brake on these important first hours.

First minutes

To get a cold, a series of factors. Not only coming into contact with the virus thanks to a sneeze from someone nearby or an insect that someone was carrying, also have to overcome your defenses. It is quite difficult for viruses to overcome all barriers of our body: cilia, epithelial cells, white blood cells …

Chicken broth has anti-inflammatory effects that can relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory infections

However, when we are too tired, stressed or our immune systems are weaker Normally, constipates can be established as they slow down. In these first minutes what you should do is wash your hands well with soap and water for several times a day. Don't rub your eyes or you'll have a better chance of catching it.

One to two hours

You start to have nasal dryness and a little irritation. The place where viruses are installed depends on the type that infected you. Some prefer the warmer environment of the lungs where it is at 37 ° C, while others focus on the nose and throat. Can you buy some over the counter medication It helps to have cold symptoms before they go over.

Start drinking green tea. It contains catechins, substances with antiviral properties that help fight and even prevent the flu. The best way to take advantage of its benefits is gargle. And if you add some ginger better. Although it is not used much in our country, it is perhaps the greatest ally against the cold. It has anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, so its consumption is recommended against any type of respiratory condition, either cold, flu or a simple inflammation.

The next seven hours

Here the viruses have already passed the body's defenses and They begin to replicate at an enormous rate. You will begin to feel tired as your body prepares to fight infection. Start to drink eucalyptus vapors and salt water. It is another remedy that serves to relieve nasal congestion and also moisturizes the environment, making it difficult to spread the virus at home.

Heat water with a handful of coarse salt, add eucalyptus (which you can buy at an herbalist in the form of oil or collect yourself if you live in Galicia) and breathe the steam. When you have a cold do it once a day.

First 10, 11 and 12 hours

The cold every time it goes to more and infects more cells. Symptoms begin to be more serious: very irritated nose lining, sneezing, lymph nodes increase the production of white blood cells, so they swell and hurt to the touch … They also begin muscle pains, increased mucus and congestion. Theirs is that you start take an anti-inflammatory and remember that blowing your nose very hard can cause you many problems, including an infection.

Perform nasal washes with physiological serum. These are useful for the control of obstruction and increased mucus. Decongestants are sold in pharmacies that may be useful in the early stages of cold, but We should not extend its use, as they have rebound effect. In no case should we use them more than two or three days in a row.

Scientists say that the first 24 hours are crucial: it is when the infection takes hold of you and begins to multiply causing symptoms

From hour 12 cough begins It arises when small nerve cells in the lining of the respiratory tract, known as lung irritant receptors, are sensitized by excess mucus. These send messages through the vagus nerve in the chest to the brain, which in turn orders that the diaphragm and intercostal muscles between the ribs contract violently, causing it. Prepare a drink with honey.

It is known for its antimicrobial properties. A study published in the journal 'Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine' found that Manuka honey (originally from New Zealand) is effective in reducing how quickly the influenza virus reproduces. Is especially good for dry cough. Shake a teaspoon in your tea or enjoy it spread on a slice of wheat bread. If you can, it is recommended that it be organic, and we must bear in mind that it is not advisable for children under two years. You can also mix it with lemon and gargle: moisturize and soften the throat.

From 3pm to 6pm

The symptoms intensify and The airways are blocked. Dehydration, caused by the production of mucus and a higher body temperature (when we are sick, the hypothalamus in the brain can cause the body to increase its degrees, which is believed to help eliminate the virus). You may have hoarseness and dry lips and tongue.

Green tea contains catechins, substances with antiviral properties that help fight and even prevent the flu. Gargle with him

Take something that contains expectorants to break the excess mucus and Eat chicken soup. Be prepared hinders the movement of immune system cells called neutrophils, which go to infected places and release enzymes that not only destroy viruses and bacteria, but also promote the release of mucus and attack cells of the body itself, causing inflammation of the tissues. This is ensured by a study conducted by researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

According to research published in the magazine 'Chest', chicken broth has anti-inflammatory effects They can relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory infections. The ingredients you should use for its preparation are onions, potatoes, carrots, turnips, parsley, salt, pepper and, of course, chicken.

24 hours

Some people will develop pneumonia. In addition, congestion and accumulation of mucus in the paranasal sinuses and Eustachian tubes can cause a bacterial infection of the middle ear or sinusitis. For most, however, cold symptoms peak in three days. "After that, most immune systems can begin to change the course of the virus and eliminate it", says one of the experts.