Cold And Catarrh Home Remedies For Nigerians

What are Cold and Catarrh

Cold is a viral infection that attacks the upper respiratory tracts and creates unease in the nasal, mouth, and throat pathways. A wide range of viruses causes it though the rhinovirus is a common cause of the common cold. It gets to individuals as contaminated persons tend to sneeze or cough and then shake hands or touch a rigid surface, and another who isn’t contaminated gets hold of the material, thereby becoming infected by cold.

 On the other hand, catarrh is also referred to as a postnasal drip, and it occurs when mucus accumulates in the nose, throat, or sinuses. This condition leaves you with either mucus dripping down your nostrils or the back of your throat. When your body responds to an irritant or infection, it causes swelling in your nose and sinus, invariably producing much mucus. Just like cold, catarrh is also for a short while; however, there are conditions where it is chronic. Though unclear what causes catarrh, it is believed to increase sensitivity to conditions affecting the nose and throat. Its cause is associated with the following factors;

• Environment: what surrounds you impacts your nose and throat, and changes in weather or around cigarette smoke, fumes, or pollution can cause catarrh.
• Infections: Cold and flu, and diseases associated with the sinuses, affect the tendency to get catarrh.
• Allergies: Dust and pollen, which can make you allergic, may cause you to experience catarrh.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Persons with this condition are prone to experiencing catarrh.
• Hormonal distortion: Major changes during puberty, pregnancy, or using oral contraceptives can result in you experiencing drips from your nose or the back of your throat.
• Spicy foods: Foods containing spicy can lead to mucus production.

Symptoms

The symptoms of this condition leave you with the following difficulties;

• Sore throat.
• Headache.
• Difficulty in sleeping.
• Frequently needing to clear your throat or swallow. 
• Dulled sense of taste and smell.
• Facial pain.
• Nose feeling stuffy.
• Incessant coughing.
• Hot sensation of mucus dripping down your throat, nose or lumping in your throat.

Because of the various factor affecting catarrh, it is pretty challenging to prevent it from occurring; you only need to take some steps in your everyday life to reduce the effect of catarrh. 

Home remedies for Cold and Catarrh

Being sick isn’t fun at all, especially when you are at home on your bed. Issues like headache, fever, shivers, and nasal congestion are enough to make you miserable, which is why home remedies are available to alleviate symptoms and get you back to speed. If the symptoms persist after weeks, it is best advised that you immediately contact your Doctor. The following can help salvage cold and catarrh at home, and they include;

• Chicken soup: This may not bring all the immediate answers you need, but it sure does a lot in seeing that you are fit and ready. A meal of chicken soup with vegetables induces the movement of Neutrophils, which are white blood cells that help protect the body from any sought of infection.

By moving slowly, they concentrate in areas where they gradually aid the healing process. In addition, the antioxidizing properties help combat reacting species that cause oxidation in the body. 

• Ginger: A few slices of ginger roots with boiling water may help soothe a cough or sore throat. Nauseating effects are taken care of by the phenolic compound present in the ginger. 
• Honey and red onion: The onion is washed and peeled, sliced, and sweetener and honey are added to make syrup. This mixture contains a range of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to help fight infection and soothe sore throats and coughs.  
• Raw honey and lemon: Mixing fresh lemon juice and raw honey helps provide soothing relief for sore throat and induces coughing. The nutrients and enzymes in the raw honey and lemon kill bacteria and viruses that may increase the chance of cold and catarrh.
• Vitamin C: It does boost your immune system, and getting enough of it helps relieve your upper respiratory tract infections and other disease conditions. 
• Garlic: The compound allicin, an active garlic component, has antimicrobial properties that help combat germs.

Adding it to your diet tends to reduce the severity of the cold and alleviate any symptoms.

• Mustard seed: Regular intake of this seed helps break up the mucus in the air passage, creating freedom for easy airflow and circulation to the body.
• Black and green tea: It contains phytochemical named catechin that has natural antibiotic and anti-diarrhea effects which keeps the sinuses hale and healthy. 
• Yogurt: Yoghurt is probiotic, which are friendly bacteria and yeast found in food, supplements, and even your body. These bacteria are nice and healthy and keep your gut and immune system healthy. These probiotics are there to keep you from falling sick with an upper respiratory infection.
• Saltwater: A healthy ratio of combining salt and water, like one teaspoonful of salt with a full glass of water. Turn appropriately, gargling around your mouth and throat, then spit out eases the nasal congestion and throat pain. 
• Warm baths: Having a warm bath reduces cold and catarrh symptoms. Adding drops of orange juice or some essential oil may have a soothing relief in alleviating cold.
• Zinc: Taking in recommended doses of zinc helps you get over a cold faster 
• Stay hydrated: Taking much fluid during a cold can help keep you from freezing as it does clear nasal congestion in the chest and makes it easier for better breathing.

Recommendations

Although it can be exasperating, cold and catarrh aren’t harmful but make one uncomfortable. However, schedule a meeting with your doctor if the symptoms persist: difficulty breathing, chest pain, short breath, blood or foul-smelling mucus, difficulty swallowing, and irregular occurring fever. Typically, both cold and catarrh go away on their own and can be taken care of at home by staying with the guidelines listed in the home remedies, using a humidifier, and over-the-counter medications recommended by your Doctor.