How to Get Well Soon
Imagine waking up for work or school, but something is off. Your nose is clogged, your throat is sore, and you’ve got a nasty cough. Congratulations, you’re sick! Now, any plans you had just flew out the window and you wish you could breathe without sniffling. You need to get over this fast so you can start enjoying life again. It always takes longer than you’d like, but there are few things you can do to speed the process up. Here are the best ways to get well soon.
1. Rest
As your body is fighting an illness, it uses a lot of energy. The immune system works extremely hard to keep you healthy and even harder when you are not. Sleep allows the body to focus on fighting the infection, instead of other functions. Even if you don’t initially want to rest, you’ll soon start feeling tired because of your body’s response to the infection. Don’t ever ignore this, head right to bed.
A healthy person is advised to get 7-8 hours of sleep, but when you’re sick, this isn’t just recommended, it’s vital. Sleeping sick is a challenge, especially when you’re coughing like crazy or have a raging fever. Before getting into bed, collect everything needed to be comfortable. This may include water, tissues, extra pillows/blankets, cough drops/medications, and something to help you relax, such as a book. It helps to use a humidifier and take OTC sleeping medication to help you get to sleep. You may be unhappy with your condition, but you can still make yourself much more comfortable.
2. Fluids
Equally important to sleep is hydration. Water is one of the foundations of health and going without it will keep you sick longer. Infection fighting antibodies use water as a transit system to travel to their microscopic battlefields. It’s amazing what a fully hydrated body can do, healthy or sick.
In the case of a stomachache or sore throat, the last thing you may want to do is ingest something, but water is a magic bullet here. Keep a water bottle or two around so it’s always within arm’s reach. It can’t hurt to drink a bit more than normal. Certain sicknesses such as fevers, drain us of fluids quickly, so always lookout for signs of dehydration like thirst, dark urine, fatigue, or feelings of dizziness.
You don’t have to stick to boring old water though. Hot beverages like tea can relieve congestion and keep you warm if you’ve got chills. Sports drinks containing electrolytes or vitamin C can boost the immune system, but be careful to avoid caffeine, which can dehydrate you. As long as you drink something hydrating and healthy, you’re on the right track.
3. Medicines and Remedies
You’ll be under the weather no matter what, but certain medicines or remedies can take the edge off. Many can be done at home or accessed over the counter. What you need to do depends on your symptoms, so here are the most common methods.
- For a cough or runny nose: Basic cough and cold medicines are usually adequate for these. Be sure to have tissues on hand to clean up that runny nose.
- For a sore throat: Sore throats suck, pure and simple. One thing you can do is try gargling saltwater. It seems gross, but the salt works as a tool for reducing the inflammation in the throat. Sore throats are often super dry, so breathing moist air from a hot shower or humidifier helps rehydrate them. Cough drops can also dull the pain quite a bit.
- For stomachaches: Make sure to use the restroom before anything else. This will help relieve pain on some level. If the issue persists, try a compress with a hot water bottle to relax the stomach muscles. Avoid spicy or greasy foods and opt for drier options like bread or oatmeal. For severe cases, OTC medicines like Pepto-Bismol may be helpful.
- For a fever: You need to lower your body temperature to a safe level. This can be done by wearing light clothing, cooling the room, and using a cold compress. Consistently monitor the fever and seek professional help if it last more than a few days. The severity of a fever can be reduced by either Ibuprofen or Tylenol.
- For headaches: Headaches can be brutal, so act quick if you feel one coming on. You’ll want to avoid loud noises, flashing lights and stressful matters, as these can make it worse. It helps to put a cold compress on the area of the pain as if you were nursing a bump on the head. If needed, take an OTC painkiller such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol.
4. Visit the Doctor
For severe or ongoing colds, consider heading to the doctor. Many clinics offer walk in appointments to meet with a healthcare professional immediately. If you feel that your condition is worsening or are in excessive pain, it’s definitely worth it to get help.
Doctors will diagnose the source of the problem and check for signs of a more serious condition. They’ll also give guidance on how to speed up the healing process. This may come in the form of a prescription or educated instruction. Just knowing what condition you have can give you peace of mind and help you relax.
The other side of this coin involves regular checkups. Don’t wait until you’re sick to see a doctor. Do a checkup every few months just to get updates on your health. While you’re there, feel free to catch up on your vaccines, especially during flu season. The best defense is a great offense, so stay on top of your checkups and you’ll spend much less time under the weather.
5. Quarantine
Being sick means steering clear of others. Infection spreads easily through coughs, sneezes, and physical contact. If you wake up feeling unwell, let your employer or school know as soon as possible. Don’t feel pressured to show up somewhere; it’s not worth it. Besides, you won’t do your best work if your nose is a waterfall or your head’s about to explode from a migraine.
If you have no choice but to be around others, practice good manners and proper communication. Let them know you’re not feeling well and to keep their distance. It’s vital that your cover your coughs and sneezes to keep the air safe for others to breath. Masks are great option for this as well.
Healthcare is an important part of society. If you’re interested in making your mark on it, then you’re in the right place. Idaho Medical Academy is the top spot for climbing the educational ladder to a healthcare career. We offer medical assisting, phlebotomy, IV therapy, medical coding and pharmacy tech training. We’re eager to meet those who are driven to make their dreams of a medical career a reality. Explore our website, call us or stop by our Boise campus to get the scoop on how to start on this path!
