The Very Common Cold

It’s about this time of year that everyone seems to be sniffling and croaking with a cold.

Masks have helped with reducing the transmission of colds for the last two years but now, as masks are becoming optional in some places, we can expect to come into contact with sniffles and snuffles.

You know the feeling, that dry scratchy irritation at the top of your nose, your head feels heavy, and your nose starts to drip like a leaky tap! Let’s look at some of the sayings and beliefs around the common cold.

If you get cold and damp, you’ll catch a cold:

As a child coming in from school on a wet day, I was always put in a warm bath to stop me getting a cold. While the steam from the bath helped clear my airways and warm me up, getting cold didn’t give me a cold. We now know it’s an airborne virus.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away:

Apples do contain pectin so they will help maintain a healthy digestive system and help boost your immune system. So, it’s not guaranteed to keep you away from the surgery, but it will help.

Feed a cold, starve a fever:

Warm drinks are especially important when you have a cold. When your nose is running, you are losing

body fluids that need to be topped up. If you have a fever and don’t feel like eating, have soup. If you’ve not been shopping, use any veg you have lurking in the fridge or freezer and a stock cube, you’re getting nutrition and liquid. As long as you stay hydrated, eat what makes you happy.

If your symptoms are above the neck, you can exercise if they’re below you should rest:

There may be some truth in this. Gentle exercise can help clear blocked airways. Remember that fluids are the key. If you have a fever and aches, then rest may be more beneficial. A gentle walk would give vitamin D and some fresh air stops you feeling stagnant.

Tea makes everything better:

A firm belief in the Unwrapped Team - and it’s true! Black tea contains polyphenols (you can tell I’ve looked this bit up) and they have equal benefits to green tea antioxidants, so you can stop feeling guilty about drinking tea.

In the study I saw, experts said drinking 2 - 4 cups a day gave the optimum benefits.

So, get the kettle on!

Doe Xx