99 Capacities Series – Capacity #28: Lessen Upper Respirator Problems

The twenty-eighth capacity that I introduce in my eBook is that you must [be able to] lessen upper respirator problems. In it I state that:

You must “lessen upper respiratory problems. From OTC medications to vapor rubs and other ideas, know how to loosen and alleviate such concerns.”

Upper respiratory infections (URI), as opposed to the usually more troublesome lower respiratory infections, are something that often go away on their own. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll be very comfortable in the mean time, so you might as well make yourself feel better until it goes away. In addition, it’s helpful to know how to distinguish an URI from allergies and even the flu.

That said, when I think about a respiratory tract infection I think about the lungs, however, URIs also involve the nose, sinuses, and throat. So, problems like tonsillitis and sinusitis are also classified as URIs. Most URI are caused by a virus, though, some are caused by bacteria, including my worst enemy every: Strep throat.

While I’m not a doctor, in some cases–such as with Strep threat–antibiotics may be advisable but most of the times they’re not and will do no good. So, you really need to focus on making life bearable while your body takes care of the offending virus. As such, the most common remedy is a simple decongestant such as Sudafed where congestion is the main source of discomfort. Anything else that allows you to breath easier such as nasal sprays, antihistamines, or Vicks VapoRub may be useful too. Be sure to read the labels and dose properly before giving any medications to children, even with Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs.

Readily available medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen may be helpful to reduce low grade fevers or body aches. A troublesome cough may be another problem from a URI. OTC cough suppressants or expectorants and even honey may prove useful at times as well.

Other fairly obvious advice includes plenty of rest and plenty of fluids. It may be helpful to add humidity to the air. If a humidifier is not an option then placing a large bowl of water next to the bedside may be just enough to moisturize dry nasal passages. Many people, me included, have found nasal irrigation to be helpful (in my case with allergies). The only caution is to NOT use nasal irrigation if you have an head cold because doing so can cause the infection to move to the ear canal and thereby make things worse.

Some people find various herbal remedies to be helpful. These could include ginger (apparently the most popular), horseradish, garlic, echinacea, and others. I’ve seen people recommend Apple Cider Vinegar for URIs as well. Vitamin C and E (among others) may prove useful as well. Do some research and I’m sure you’ll find plenty of other ideas on your own.

In conclusion, it’s really all about making yourself more comfortable for the few days it takes to kick the virus. Get what you need to have now which it’s still available and affordable.

Note: This post is part of an ongoing series detailing the ideas from my free eBook, The 99 Capacities You MUST Acquire BEFORE Disaster Strikes You!, which you may freely download here.