How to treat a runny nose and cough: ENT advice

A runny nose and cough can disrupt any plans, especially if there is an important meeting tomorrow. However, if you follow a few rules, you can be cured the next morning. Among them is taking vitamin C, using inhalations and the right medicines, diet and rest. Vladimir Zaitsev, doctor of the highest category, otolaryngologist, candidate of medical sciences, told URA.RU more about them.

Where does a runny nose and cough come from?

“If we are talking about a runny nose and a cough as a combination of two conditions, we are most likely dealing with nasopharyngitis. It is a persistent virus, but a treatable one. The recovery process may take several weeks, but several tips will help you get back on your feet literally the next day,” said Vladimir Zaitsev.

A runny nose and a cough, according to him, are two interconnected illnesses: the mucus that flows down the nasopharynx causes irritation in the cough center. As soon as the runny nose starts to subside, the cough will also go away.

How to treat throat and nasal congestion:

Take vitamin C

As soon as a person feels sick, you need to start taking vitamin C. Dr. Zaitsev advises taking Ascorutin or regular ascorbic acid.

“Ascorbic acid should be consumed not in therapeutic and prophylactic doses, but in large quantities. If we are talking about Ascorutin, you can distribute two tablets five to six times a day – sorry, just stop it. It will kill the virus, and the next day you will be much better,” said the doctor.

Vitamin C is also available in lingonberries, cranberries (as an option, you can make a fruit drink with berries), or sauerkraut, the doctor suggested.

Do inhalations

To get rid of cough, the specialist advises to use inhalations – preference should be given to nebulizers (ultrasonic devices). But steam inhalations should be abandoned.

Drink as much as possible

When you have a runny nose, you need to drink a lot of fluids. So, another rule for those who have “become sick” is to drink a lot.

“Drink a lot of tea. I’m not talking about the strength, but specifically about the amount of tea. It can be green, black, herbal, or a combination of herbs. The more a person drinks, the more the viral shell is destroyed,” the correspondent continues.

Do not put too much pressure on the body

During the illness, the body needs rest. You have to give up training and an active lifestyle for a while. Even general cleaning (yes, even if it has been waiting for a long time in the wings) can worsen the course of the disease.

“Go to bed earlier, get more rest. There should be a balanced, balanced diet. No food “from the stomach” – it is difficult for your weak body to digest so much food,” said the expert.

Rinse your nose

The nose should be washed with solutions based on sea salt. The specialist encourages the use of purchased products rather than self-prepared. At the pharmacy, they will be sterile and with the right attachments, he explains. Water-based antiseptics for the nasal cavity or pharynx will also help in the fight against a runny nose.

What medicines to buy for runny nose and cough

For all this you need to add a local remedy. At the first stage, the doctor advises to use “soft methods” and not to use strong chemicals.

“Treatment of a runny nose should include light vasoconstrictor, decongestant and mucolytic components (removes mucus from the nose). There are drops that contain all three parts. Warm milk is a good prospect; you can add a piece of butter. This softens and moisturizes the mucous membrane. You don’t need to drink liters, half a glass several times a day is enough,” says the doctor.

In addition, you should buy antitussives and expectorants. The expert also recommends not to use vasoconstrictor drops, because they are addictive.

When can I expect recovery?

If you follow all the recommendations, you can get back on your feet the next day, the doctor is sure. In general, the body usually needs two to three days to heal itself. If the date has passed and the person still hasn’t gotten back on his feet, the expert advises to go to the doctor. It is better to choose a specialist – an ENT specialist.

If the infection develops into tonsillitis or sinusitis, treatment may take longer than a week. Therefore, the sooner the patient sees a doctor, the sooner he can get back on his feet.

“Many people are afraid to go to the doctor, and this is a trigger for chronic inflammation. And then people ask: why did my sinusitis become chronic? If you are not ready for treatment, you will have to reap the fruits, so to speak, of bad health. But this is wrong. Today there are all opportunities for effective and fast treatment,” concluded Zaitsev.