Winter flu symptoms can cause a world of pain, from a fever to a painful throat, congestion, aches and chills. It is possible for you to feel better!
Prescription antiviral medications ease symptoms of the winter flu when taken almost immediately after the start of symptoms. In most cases, simple remedies that you can easily prepare at home may be all you need for relief of mild to moderate winter flu symptoms.
Here are some natural winter flu remedies:
Drink plenty of fluids!
A case of winter flu can leave you dehydrated, especially if you are one of the unfortunate folks who experiences either vomiting or diarrhea. Be sure you get enough fluids to replace any and all fluids lost by your body. Water happens to be a great option! Additional choices include fruit juice, soda and beverages like sugar free Gatorade. Caffeinated drinks like coffee are not good ideas, because caffeine will cause the body to lose extra water. Herbal tea with natural honey will soothe the sore throat. If the thought of taking anything by mouth nauseates you, start with small sips of the beverage, because it will give your body the opportunity to become accustomed to the new fluid being introduced.
Is there a way I can know if I am drinking enough fluids? Yes! Your urine should be pale yellow, and it is definitely okay if it is almost colorless.
Can I drink alcohol while I have the winter flu? No! When you have the winter flu, the last thing you want to do is drink vodka or beer! Alcohol will dehydrate you and make you sleepy, something the flu already does for all of us!
Be a couch potato!
Listen to your body if it is telling you not to make that third trip to the gym this week! If your body is urging you to spend the day in bed, your body is most likely definitely correct. Skip the daily chores if you are facing severe cold or winter flu symptoms. Rest is a great way to support the body in its unique ability to fight nearly any infection. In this case, you definitely do want to get enough sleep!
Humidify!
Breathing moistened air can help ease congestion and sore throat pain. One great strategy is to indulge in a steamy shower at least two times each day, or just turn on the shower and sit in the bathroom for a several minutes just inhaling the steam. Another idea is to buy a humidifier, but be sure to clean it often to avoid the growth of mold.
The blogging team from http://www.drsmartphonemd.com is unable to make direct recommendations regarding the best flu treatment, aside from stating that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We believe that readers should use our articles as the starting point in developing their own plan of action, moving forward to look at information on appropriate professional medical website. If a reader has specific questions or concerns, we do recommend reaching out to a physician as soon as possible.