Yes you have a cold - go home

Sleep - no sugar - water.

That is my consistent message to patients that come in with their cold. The common cold is caused by a virus. There is no good prescription medicine to help kill it. But there are lots of good holistic things you can do to avoid getting one or if you get one, to get through it faster.

To avoid:

• wash your hands
• don't touch your face (rub your eyes, pick your nose, or put your fingers in your mouth)
• sip water frequently (wash any viruses or bacteria that are trying to get in through your mucus membranes down into your stomach where you digestive enzymes will break them apart)
• stay well rested (let your immune system ramp up for you)
• avoid sugar (each time you eat sugar you depress your immune system for up to 6 hours!)

If you think you are getting a cold:

• sleep as much as you can (even a quick nap). Your immune system works better when you are sleeping
• drink only water to stay well hydrated (avoid all sweet drinks INCLUDING juice)
• avoid sugar (see above)

And if you get a cold the best way to speed your recovery is the same as above. If you can, stay home and rest. Don't bring your viruses to work or school.

There are lots of immune boosting holistic supplements out there. Two of my favorites that I take at any sign of sickness are: thymus extract (available from good health food stores) and medicinal mushrooms (such as My Community from Host Defense). There are many more, so use what works for you.

Stay healthy!
Dr. Pamela