Walt's Best Cold & Flu Remedies
by Walt Gray
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posted Jan 23 2013 3:46PM
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Wanted to share a few of my tips, in case they can help you. As someone who had to anchor 4 1/2 hour TV newscasts with a cough that wouldn't quit, I've had to get creative (pretty distracting for viewers to watch a news anchor gasping for air). These remedies were compiled through my years of reporting on health issues, and visits with Sacramento are doctors and allergists.
At the onset of a cold; scratchy or sore throat:
- gargle with warm water and salt.
- visit "Harry's Cafe" at 2026 16th St for their "Cold and Flu soup". Chicken, hot pepper and ginger. Awesome! (it could stop your cold before it hits a high gear)
For a cough that won't quite: Mucinex DM; controls cough and helps break it up.
Warm or cool mist humdifier at night (keeps your throat/air passage moist to reduce aggravating the cough)
Vicks vapo-rub on chest... pull your shirt up over your head to breathe in the vicks vapor from your chest.
Benedryl (or generic) to help you sleep and keep the nasal drainage from going into your lungs.
Don't drink cold fluids. It constricts your air passage. Room temperature water or herbal mint tea is good.
You may also ask your doc to prescribe the cough pill "Benzonatate" which dulls the cough reflex.
Also get tested for allergies if you have a cough that lasts for weeks during certain times of the year.
Recent studies by the National Chest Foundation have shown that cough medicines are of no help. There were many times in the winter where i was throwing "all of the above" at my cough. In my case...having exhausted many of the above remedies, i was tested for allergies (none) and prescribed Prednisone as a last resort for a cough that lasted for weeks with no way of stopping it. I have had great success with it, but use it as little as possible.
I did get a flu shot this year. I didn't last year.
Kat says when you have a stuffy nose, just blow one nostril at a time...and gently!!
Those are my cold and flu season suggestions. What are yours??? -Walt
Tags : Locations : Sacramento
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