7 WAYS TO TREAT FLU SYMPTOMS

This guide covers the steps on how to treat the cold and flu in the comfort of your home. 

Introduction

Flu, also medically termed Influenza, is a contagious infectious viral disease. It affects the lungs, throat, and nose. There are different ways to treat flu, some of which are discussed below. It causes discomfort and misery. The symptoms are mild at the start and worsen, leading to difficulty in breathing and severe cough.

People with a weak immune system are constantly prone to flu more than individuals with strong immunity. Children under the age of 5, adults older than 65, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illness get easily affected by flu.

Common symptoms include:

1. Dry cough

2. Sore throat

3. Runny nose

4. Headache

5. Diarrhea and vomiting

6. Inconsistent fever throughout the course

The symptoms are observed in 1 to 4 days and last for approximately eight days. Flu resolves on its own. If you notice serious health complications, consult your doctor immediately. Home remedies can help a person feel better and reduce flu symptoms. Doctors prescribe an antiviral medicine to lessen its duration. 

Ways to Treat Flu

There are natural ways for flu treatment and to feel better.

1. Take Rest

When the body is down with flu, resting and sleeping well will give your body energy to fight the symptoms. Resting plays an essential role as the body is weakened by the virus and requires extra care to fight it. Medications are more effective when the body is at rest and helps in getting better within a short period. Stress and tension in the body will weaken the system, and you won't make yourself feel better even after continuous medication. Hence, rest is important when down with this infection.

2. Drink Plenty of Fluids

Our body's made of 60% of water. As the flu affects the digestive system, one generally suffers from water loss due to diarrhea and vomiting. To make up for the water reduction, it is recommended to increase the intake of fluids. Juices, soups, and sports drinks also account for rehydrating the body for the loss of water. 

Mucus gets accumulated in the respiratory system during flu, and fluids help thin the mucus and cough it out. If the mucus increases, it will lead to congestion in the respiratory system and lead to infection and other complications. 

3. Taking a Warm Bath

Bathing cleans the body from dirt and external pathogens present in the environment and relaxes body muscles by dilating blood vessels. The infection causes congestion in the respiratory tract due to inflammation of the same. A warm water bath reduces chest congestion and eases breathing. A temperate bath helps in fighting the virus. Salt baths have an anti-inflammatory effect that helps sore muscles relax. The increased heartbeat gets reduced by taking a warm bath, which induces better blood circulation. Essential oils like lavender and chamomile, when mixed in warm water, soothes the body of flu distress and calms you down. 

4. Steam

Inhaling steam is an age-old formula for treating the stuffy nose and treating cough. Steam involves inhaling water vapor. The steam loses the mucus in nasal passages and relieves symptoms like blocked nose, difficulty in breathing, and other respiratory issues. Inhaling steam does not clear the virus from your system, but helps make you feel better. Steam inhalation reduces headache, throat irritation, dry nasal passages, and cough. Electric steam inhaler or vaporizer uses electricity to make steam. Steam inhalation is an effective way to clear blocked respiratory passages. For added benefit, add 1 teaspoon of crushed ajwain or peppermint oil to the steam water.

5. Saltwater Gargle

Gargling with salt water relieves the pain and reduces swelling in the respiratory tract. It removes mucus from the nasal passages. Salt helps in drawing water out of the tissues. This creates a salt blockage and locks harmful pathogens from getting back inside. The saltwater formula flushes out the bacteria and viruses, which can cause congestion for saltwater gargle mix about ¼ or ½ teaspoon of salt to 200ml of water. Gargle the water and hold it for as long as possible in your throat. Swish the water from your mouth and spit it out. The water is safe to be swallowed.

6. Using Vapor Rub

Vapor rub is a mentholated ointment that relieves congestion in the respiratory tract and provides a cooling sensation in the nasal passages. Avoid putting vapor around your nose, as some of the chemical compounds can be toxic. Wear loose clothing and rub a layer of vapor rub on your chest and neck. The smell of eucalyptus oil is a natural oil that gives a calming effect and makes you feel better. Eucalyptus has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce swelling in the body and soothe aches from feverish cold. Rubbing vapor rub on your feet relieves you from cold.

7. Medicine with Vitamin C and Probiotics or Echinacea

Vitamin C was touted to relieve the flu cold in 1970. A potent antioxidant that helps absorb iron and assists in collagen formation in the body. According to research, 1g of Vitamin C every day helps prevent colds and people who are constantly exposed to cold weather. Vitamin C cuts the duration of the cold by 24–36 hours and reduces cold severity. 

Extracts from the echinacea help improve immunity and let your body fight the pathogens that enter the body. It is a herbal medicine that people have practiced since ancient times. It shows effectiveness by increasing the number of white blood cells responsible for fighting infection in the body. Probiotics protect against viral infections and reduce the risk of getting flu. Probiotics increase commensal bacteria and stimulate metabolism. 

Conclusion

There is no way to protect one from having the flu. However, with certain precautions and home remedies as described above, the severity and duration of infection can be reduced to a minimum. It is a known fact that medications help improve health, but natural ways have always been reliable and proven to be effective at all times. These remedies act as counter medicine to treat and combat its symptoms. A variety of virus strains can cause flu; therefore, natural ways have proven to be effective in all the strains of the virus.