"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book." – Irish Proverb Healthy Lifestyle Tip: Tips to Shorten Cold Duration Chicken soup and hot tea are effective cold remedies, but can anything actually reduce the length of time cold symptoms linger? Healthy living before the first sniffle strikes is perhaps your best weapon. So are there any cold remedies that can shorten cold duration? The answer is yes, according to Donald W. Novey, MD, in Poulsbo, Wash., but they may not be what you think. While some dietary supplements may be able to shorten cold duration, Dr. Novey says supplements aren't your best line of defense. "The best weapon we have against the common cold is our own immune system," he explains. Good nutrition, adequate sleep and exercise, and low levels of stress are what make our immune system work its best. "A failure on any one of these four points can weaken the immune system and either prolong an existing cold or lead to more frequent ones," Novey says. Rev Up Your Immune System to Shorten Cold Duration In the United States, adults can expect to catch the common cold as many as four times a year, while children get anywhere from 6 to 10 colds. Novey says that generally viruses need to run their course, but we can help that course be as short as possible by taking care of our immune system. Here's how:
Boyle Wheeler, Regina (2013, February 13). Tips to Shorten Cold Duration |