Useful Advice From Primary Care Providers to Help You Feel Better
Winter brings colder temperatures, shorter days, and unfortunately, a higher likelihood of catching a cold. The common cold isn’t life-threatening; however, it is life-disrupting.
Even a mild cold can make working, grocery shopping, and other parts of your daily routine feel far more difficult than normal.
So, what can you do if you catch a cold?
Although there’s no quick cure, there are numerous ways to manage your symptoms to help you feel better. Keep reading to learn cold recovery tips from trustworthy primary care providers.
Why Are Colds More Common In the Winter?
Colds tend to spike in winter due to a combination of environmental and behavioral factors. First, rhinoviruses like the common cold thrive in cooler temperatures and low humidity, and in many places, winter has both. This combination of factors is why primary care providers refer to winter as “cold and flu season,” although you can catch a cold at any time of year.
During the winter, people tend to spend more time indoors near others, making it easier to spread germs. Most respiratory viruses like colds spread through droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. These droplets enter your body when you breathe them in or when you touch a contaminated surface, then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Most people recover from colds in about a week. People with weakened immune systems may experience longer periods of illness, lasting two weeks or more.
Common cold symptoms include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Mild body aches
Primary Care Advice: Effective Cold Remedies to Speed Up Your Recovery
Antibiotics do not treat viruses. Instead, our primary care providers recommend these remedies to help alleviate cold symptoms and support your recovery:
Replenish Your Fluids
The common cold dehydrates the body through sweating and fever. Drinking plenty of fluids supports your immune system, thins mucus, and replaces water loss. Water, hot tea, soup broth, and sports drinks with electrolytes are all good choices. Avoid dehydrating beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
Get Plenty Of Rest
Your body needs energy to fight off the cold virus. Rest allows your immune system to focus on recovery, so take it easy and prioritize sleep.
Use Honey to Ease Coughing
A persistent cough makes it harder to rest and hurts the throat. Honey is an excellent holistic remedy. Mix a spoonful of honey with warm water or tea for a comforting drink that also coats your throat. Do not give honey to children younger than a year old.
Improve Air Quality With a Humidifier
Cold, dry winter air can irritate nasal passages and make breathing more difficult. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, helping to relieve congestion and ease a scratchy throat. If you don’t have a humidifier, breathing in steam from a bowl of hot water or a shower can help, too.
Control Your Cough With Throat Lozenges
Lozenges provide temporary relief for sore throats and can also help suppress minor coughing fits. Look for varieties containing menthol or honey for added cooling and soothing effects. Ask your child’s physician before giving them throat lozenges; some companies make lollipop lozenges designed for children’s safety.
Breathe Easier Using Nasal Sprays
Over-the-counter saline nasal sprays help clear blocked nasal passages and reduce inflammation, making it easier to breathe. They’re a simple and effective way to manage congestion without medication.
Consider Over-the-Counter Cold Medications
Decongestants, pain relievers, and cough suppressants help alleviate specific symptoms, such as nasal congestion, headaches, or a persistent cough. Always read the labels and follow dosing instructions. Consult your primary care provider or pharmacist for their recommendations and ask about potential medication interactions.
When to See Your Primary Care Provider
If your cold symptoms last more than 10 days or become more severe, contact your primary care provider. A high fever, chest pain, or difficulty breathing indicate you may have another type of illness, such as a sinus infection, pneumonia, influenza, or COVID.
If your primary care provider diagnoses you with a virus or bacterial infection other than a cold, they may put you on a personalized treatment plan that manages your symptoms and helps you recover.
Time is a factor, so it’s important to have a doctor who offers same-day and next-day appointments. Otherwise, you’ll end up suffering much longer and risking further medical complications.
How to Find a Primary Care Doctor
Everyone should have a primary care doctor they can turn to for their preventative care, acute care, and chronic condition management. The challenge in today’s healthcare landscape is how long you may have to wait to see a doctor. Some patients may wait multiple weeks to months to see their primary care doctors, further putting their health at risk.
If you’re wondering how to find a primary care doctor near you who’s accessible and invested in your health, explore practices that use a direct primary care (DPC) membership model. Unlike traditional primary care physicians who handle high patient volumes or urgent care doctors who don’t know their patients, direct primary care physicians limit the number of patients they oversee, allowing them to offer:
- Direct access by phone, text, or email.
- No-rush appointments lasting up to an hour.
- Same-day and next-day appointments, conducted in person or virtually.
- The ability to build a relationship with patients.
Another membership advantage is that your primary care is covered under a flat monthly fee, which means no copays, no coinsurance, and no worries about meeting your deductible. Contact a direct primary care provider near you to learn more about this innovative approach to medical care.