Get That Annoying Cold to Move on Out! | AFC Urgent Care Memphis

Did the stresses of the holiday season leave your immune system exposed to the common cold? If they did, our team at AFC Urgent Care Memphis wants to offer up some ways to get that cold to move on sooner rather than later!

Beat the Cold This Season

Did a cold finally find you? You aren’t alone. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans catch a cold one to two times a year on average. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sit and suffer for long. Read on for some ways to take action against a cold.

First, rest! Don’t keep pushing yourself to try and get things done. That will only prolong your illness. Get plenty of rest, and make sure you’re getting enough quality sleep each night. Doing so can make sure your body has the energy it needs to fight off your cold. In addition, when you are lacking sleep, you are impairing your immune system—which allows the cold to stick around longer.

Second, consider using a humidifier. Breathing in humid air will help keep your achy throat moist and loosen up any chest or head congestion you have. In addition to the humidifier, you may also find relief in the form of a steamy shower, which can have the same effect.

Finally—but perhaps most important—stay hydrated. Congestion is one of the most common symptoms of the common cold. Medications to help ease that symptom work most effectively when taken with plenty of water and other fluids. Staying hydrated can also help fend off the headaches and extreme fatigue that often occur with a cold. So drink up, with plenty of water and other fluids. Skip caffeine, which can actually dehydrate you.

Is your cold not making any moves no matter what you do? Visit AFC Urgent Care Memphis today so that our knowledgeable physician can evaluate your symptoms and create a treatment plan to help get that nasty cold out of your system as soon as possible!