Haven't felt this ill since finishing chemo, and that was over a year ago. It only took one day in a reception class to succumb to the dreaded lergi......
Apparently I am not alone, plenty of other islanders have been affected by coughs/colds and flu like symptoms. That however is of little consolation when I cannot breathe properly as both nostrils ( and my head) are blocked. Having spent most of the last two days in bed, I now have built up my own little 'first aid' centre in the bedroom. This comprises of a large packet of balsam tissues , a packet of painkillers, a packet of throat soothing sweets ( supposedly) , a large glass of water ( alternating with herbal tea infusions) and another well known brand of industrial strength kill or cure 'cold' tablets, plus a tub of ' vapour rub' .
So, I am well equipped and prepared for the long haul. I DO NOT like being ill and I'm a pretty grumpy patient, it's just not good for a control freak such as myself. Having said that I feel so rubbish that I can't even really manage to concentrate on a book, preferring to doze instead, and as they say ' sleep is the best medicine '. The family have been brilliant at sorting the dog out and fetching hot drinks etc. I'm still managing to get up and empty dishwasher in the morning and make sandwiches if needed so not totally useless.
Researching google on remedies for the common cold, I have discovered that 'Mother did know best' ......
One of the oldest tricks in your mother's book, it seems that gargling with salt water is actually an effective home treatment for the common cold. Not only does it alleviate throat pain and loosen irritating mucous, but it can even help prevent colds: A study by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found people that gargled warm salt water three times a day were less likely to get sick during cold season. Just dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a full glass of water, gargle for a few seconds, and spit it out.
Another popular home remedy with some strong evidence behind it is honey. A 2007 Penn State University study found that one to two teaspoons of honey is not only effective at treating nocturnal cough, but it's actually more effective than dextromethorphan, the cough suppressant found in oh-so-popular cough syrups we mob to.
I took my fitbit off yesterday, there didn't seem to be much point in wearing it, whilst lying in bed, Jack smugly mentioned that I was slacking as he hit the ten thousand steps daily quota. Though he had run around Queens Valley with the dog in tow, to 'up' the amount. This has resulted in the dog being unfazed by the jog and wanting more , and Jack with sore knees, so I had the last laugh ....
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