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Colds and Coughs - magic cure
- Thread starter samdive
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
, There was no answer in this thread for more than 90 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
I did find a way to interpret the old saying for Bill but had to eat a large serve of humble pie after the hard time I gave him.....I was a little out of line as it seems that it was the Brits not the US that mucked things up and ruined the wonderful old saying 
"A pints a pound the world around"
Andy
"A pints a pound the world around"
Andy
I have flu. :vangry
For the last few years I have not been taking any medications (paracetamol, aspirin, decongestants etc.) when I have colds and flu. I read somewhere that by lowering the temperature, medications allow the infection to drag on for longer, because the fever is meant to destroy the virus. It definitely makes a difference for me. Also, if I have a fever, I sleep through it and don't have to suffer the awful pain in my face.
For the last few years I have not been taking any medications (paracetamol, aspirin, decongestants etc.) when I have colds and flu. I read somewhere that by lowering the temperature, medications allow the infection to drag on for longer, because the fever is meant to destroy the virus. It definitely makes a difference for me. Also, if I have a fever, I sleep through it and don't have to suffer the awful pain in my face.
Unfortunately not, because I had my tonsils removed when I was 8. I don't know if this is a good thing or not. Possibly not. I also had my adenoids cauterised. Despite or because of this, I have always caught a huge number of colds and flu every year, with terrible pain and infection in the place where the adenoids would be.
One thing that helps with colds and flu, and maybe also with tonsillitis, is ginger tea. I grate a small piece of fresh ginger root, about 2 or 3cm, and boil it in a pan of water, then strain and dilute the liquid. It is a bit spicy, I prefer it strong but you can dilute to taste. I always have some if I think I am catching a cold.
Lucia
One thing that helps with colds and flu, and maybe also with tonsillitis, is ginger tea. I grate a small piece of fresh ginger root, about 2 or 3cm, and boil it in a pan of water, then strain and dilute the liquid. It is a bit spicy, I prefer it strong but you can dilute to taste. I always have some if I think I am catching a cold.
Lucia
O
octopus
Guest
O
octopus
Guest
It is part of immune system. It should not be removed unless you REALLY have to. It evolved for a reason. Doctors used to recommend preventitive removal in the past or perhaps when swollen (obviously due to some kind of infection). Most of kids at the time did not really need their glands removed. That was mad. It is often that consequence is treated rather than the true cause. Still happens today, but with different health problems. GPs are slowly becoming "pain killer prescribing machines".
Interesting - so I'm not the only one! Tonsils and adenoids are the first line of defence against inhaled viruses, so removing them might make infections worse. When I get colds and flu, the glands under my jaw become very tender and swollen. Maybe they are having to work twice as hard because the other nearby lymph glands have been removed.
The other problem with adenoid surgery is scar tissue. When I get a respiratory infection, there is a lot of pain and infection in the area where the adenoids would be. This makes me think that maybe the area has been left scarred and unable to function normally.
A few years ago I had another operation, this time to cauterise the inside of my nose. Apart from being the worst experience of my life, it led to this. Also, due to complications from the surgery, I have a slight loss of coordination in my hands, which has improved over the years but is still there.
Now I am managing the problem by myself, and I have decided not to have any more medical treatment for my nose.
Lucia
The other problem with adenoid surgery is scar tissue. When I get a respiratory infection, there is a lot of pain and infection in the area where the adenoids would be. This makes me think that maybe the area has been left scarred and unable to function normally.
A few years ago I had another operation, this time to cauterise the inside of my nose. Apart from being the worst experience of my life, it led to this. Also, due to complications from the surgery, I have a slight loss of coordination in my hands, which has improved over the years but is still there.
Now I am managing the problem by myself, and I have decided not to have any more medical treatment for my nose.
Lucia
I had grommets in my ears, adenoids out and something done to my sinuses when I was 10 - at that time I thought I was lucky to not also have the tonsils out... but then again I have had tonsillitis three times this year and the doc still mutters sometimes about having them out - which I am firmly against!
do kids these days get put through all this or was is just a trend in "our" generation?
(I know you're quite a bit younger than me Lucia but I think Laminar and I are about the same age!)
do kids these days get put through all this or was is just a trend in "our" generation?
(I know you're quite a bit younger than me Lucia but I think Laminar and I are about the same age!)
I think doctors are more reluctant to do these things now. I am surprised that they recommended the nose operation which I had only four years ago.
I hope that lessons have been learnt from all this, and in the future people are not put through unnecessary or unacceptably painful treatments.
I hope that lessons have been learnt from all this, and in the future people are not put through unnecessary or unacceptably painful treatments.
If I remember correct, my brother had his adenoids removed as well when he was a child. He almost never get sick, find another excuse ya'll. (living on a cold damp grey island for example. :ko )
I think saline nose rinsing can help with several problems with the nose and sinus-cavities. It can help a lot but it is no silver bullet and there are also situations that it should not be used and other cases where it might not work.
My idea on the best rinsing solution:
For long term daily use or if the nose is irritated or infected I think it is important to use a rinsing solution that is the least irritating.
The best I know is an isotonic saline solution buffered with bicarbonate (Natriumhydrogencarbonate or NaHCO3) to obtain the optimal osmotic value and PH (acidity). An equivalent of 7,14 grams of table salt (NaCl) and 2,69 grams Natriumhydrogencarbonate (NaHCO3) in a litre of water should give this ideal solution. Without bicarbonate just over 9 grams of table salt should be used in a litre of water. After a short time of use many people can taste if it is the right salinity. The temperature is also important and should be comfortable to the nose so use lukewarm water of the right temperature (feel it with your finger or mouth to test it).
The easiest way to make the solution with the right concentration of salt is to buy a neti-pot with a measuring spoon.
Other rinsing solutions:
Using too little salt will damage the nose. You can also use too much salt. Never use less salt as the isotonic solution described above. The solution can be made up to a maximum of three times as salty but that is the maximum. Increasing the salinity much above a isotonic solution might irritate the nose and not be the right thing for frequent use.
Occasional use of a more than isotonic saline solutions can be good for freediving because it enhances the decongesting effect of the nasal wash, but be careful not to irritate the nose which will give the opposite effect. A tiny bit more than isotonic solution is my preferred solution and before a competition up to 2 or 3 times the amount of salt for a isotone solution can be used in case one has a bit stuffed nose.
Kinds of salt:
Several kinds of salt are used: sea salt, mountain salt, special Himalaya salt, table salt. It all works. The osmotic value per volume is slightly different because of the different fine-ness of the salt and also the osmotic value per gram of salt might differ slightly for every kind so the amount of salt used should be adjusted to that to avoid to take to little salt. In case of doubt: use a little more than the isotonic solution. A lot of salt contains anti-clogging substances so the salt can take a little moisture without clumping together. Those anti-clogging substances may be acceptable for the stomach but might irritate the nose you are trying heal. I therefore would go for pure salts without anti- clogging substances, which can be bought at a pharmacy and some supermarkets.
How often:
A lifetime of daily use is possible and as far as I know for up to a few weeks more than once a day is possible as well. It takes a few days of regular use to reach the optimum effect.
How to do it:
I think that gently letting the saline solution rinse through the nose is the best way to do it. In in one nostril and letting it flow out of the other using plenty of saline solution. A neti-pot can be very helpful. I do not like to forcefully inhale or blow out the water.
Neti-pot:
A neti pot can be helpful, especially with a measuring spoon for the right amount of salt. Buy a cheap, easy to clean plastic one to try it. They should be around for 20 euros or less including a measuring spoon and shipping to your home.
Just my thoughts, but maybe it helps anyone.
http://www.apnea.nl/Medmed.htm
http://www.nasespuelen.de/englisch/index.php
www.yogaskolen.org/english
www.tarayoga.net/neti
www.hydromedonline.com
My idea on the best rinsing solution:
For long term daily use or if the nose is irritated or infected I think it is important to use a rinsing solution that is the least irritating.
The best I know is an isotonic saline solution buffered with bicarbonate (Natriumhydrogencarbonate or NaHCO3) to obtain the optimal osmotic value and PH (acidity). An equivalent of 7,14 grams of table salt (NaCl) and 2,69 grams Natriumhydrogencarbonate (NaHCO3) in a litre of water should give this ideal solution. Without bicarbonate just over 9 grams of table salt should be used in a litre of water. After a short time of use many people can taste if it is the right salinity. The temperature is also important and should be comfortable to the nose so use lukewarm water of the right temperature (feel it with your finger or mouth to test it).
The easiest way to make the solution with the right concentration of salt is to buy a neti-pot with a measuring spoon.
Other rinsing solutions:
Using too little salt will damage the nose. You can also use too much salt. Never use less salt as the isotonic solution described above. The solution can be made up to a maximum of three times as salty but that is the maximum. Increasing the salinity much above a isotonic solution might irritate the nose and not be the right thing for frequent use.
Occasional use of a more than isotonic saline solutions can be good for freediving because it enhances the decongesting effect of the nasal wash, but be careful not to irritate the nose which will give the opposite effect. A tiny bit more than isotonic solution is my preferred solution and before a competition up to 2 or 3 times the amount of salt for a isotone solution can be used in case one has a bit stuffed nose.
Kinds of salt:
Several kinds of salt are used: sea salt, mountain salt, special Himalaya salt, table salt. It all works. The osmotic value per volume is slightly different because of the different fine-ness of the salt and also the osmotic value per gram of salt might differ slightly for every kind so the amount of salt used should be adjusted to that to avoid to take to little salt. In case of doubt: use a little more than the isotonic solution. A lot of salt contains anti-clogging substances so the salt can take a little moisture without clumping together. Those anti-clogging substances may be acceptable for the stomach but might irritate the nose you are trying heal. I therefore would go for pure salts without anti- clogging substances, which can be bought at a pharmacy and some supermarkets.
How often:
A lifetime of daily use is possible and as far as I know for up to a few weeks more than once a day is possible as well. It takes a few days of regular use to reach the optimum effect.
How to do it:
I think that gently letting the saline solution rinse through the nose is the best way to do it. In in one nostril and letting it flow out of the other using plenty of saline solution. A neti-pot can be very helpful. I do not like to forcefully inhale or blow out the water.
Neti-pot:
A neti pot can be helpful, especially with a measuring spoon for the right amount of salt. Buy a cheap, easy to clean plastic one to try it. They should be around for 20 euros or less including a measuring spoon and shipping to your home.
Just my thoughts, but maybe it helps anyone.
http://www.apnea.nl/Medmed.htm
http://www.nasespuelen.de/englisch/index.php
www.yogaskolen.org/english
www.tarayoga.net/neti
www.hydromedonline.com
Adenoid-less freedivers of the world unite!
I had mine out, I think, because I had constant ear-aches that would cause me to hallucinate as a kid. And I couldn't hear very well. I would be curious to read the docto's recommendation after all these years!
Thanks for the tips, Roland.
I had mine out, I think, because I had constant ear-aches that would cause me to hallucinate as a kid. And I couldn't hear very well. I would be curious to read the docto's recommendation after all these years!
Thanks for the tips, Roland.
A few years ago, I tried this http://www.hydromedonline.com/breatheease.html but perhaps I wasn't persistent enough with it. Baking soda and sea salt certain is cheaper.
From what I remember reading, and mind you it might have been an outdated article, the tonsils are pretty much obsolete after 3 months to a year as a child. The only times I get really sick is from tonsilitis. From what I understand, the tonsils become more of a beast of burden, rather than a gaurdian of health after a short while.
I could be wrong, though. Wouldn't be the first time, either.
I could be wrong, though. Wouldn't be the first time, either.
I don't know - maybe it's different for different people. I don't think the tonsil removal has given me any trouble, it's the adenoids that are the problem.
The British weather is also a problem - I'm sure that in a warmer climate I wouldn't have so much trouble.
My flu is almost better now, but I now have a chest infection caused by the flu. :waterwork
The British weather is also a problem - I'm sure that in a warmer climate I wouldn't have so much trouble.
My flu is almost better now, but I now have a chest infection caused by the flu. :waterwork
I have tinitus. I wonder which certain antibiotics cause which certain degrees of tinitus. Where did you find this helpful nugget of info?
I've lived with tinitus for the last several years...or at least it's gotten much worse, if I have indeed had it longer than originally thought. Drives me nuts. It comes and goes, too. I try not to take antibiotics, as I am stubborn as a mule.
I wonder what the lag-time is from when you take the antibiotics, and when you actually experience this aggrivating condition. Oddly enough, and to tie in the two recent thread subjects together. I had to take some heavy antibiotics to get rid of a killer case of tonsilitis (couldn't miss much work at the time...I hate antibiotics...they rob your body of natural tolerances). I'm experiencing pretty strong tinitus at the moment (key of B# in my right ear. At least it's one of my favorite notes).
Intresting.
I've lived with tinitus for the last several years...or at least it's gotten much worse, if I have indeed had it longer than originally thought. Drives me nuts. It comes and goes, too. I try not to take antibiotics, as I am stubborn as a mule.
I wonder what the lag-time is from when you take the antibiotics, and when you actually experience this aggrivating condition. Oddly enough, and to tie in the two recent thread subjects together. I had to take some heavy antibiotics to get rid of a killer case of tonsilitis (couldn't miss much work at the time...I hate antibiotics...they rob your body of natural tolerances). I'm experiencing pretty strong tinitus at the moment (key of B# in my right ear. At least it's one of my favorite notes).
Intresting.