So I beat a cold for the *very first* time (takes a bow in response to the generous applause). I know you're probably thinking... really? You've never gotten over a cold?
It's true. I have the immune system of a frail old woman. Even when I'm in peak physical condition and eating right, I can't fight anything off. It doesn't help that I need to have my tonsils removed - I've had strep throat every couple of months for the last year. But with my severe TMJ I'm terrified of having my jaw stretched too far again, so I'm hoping that my tonsils will just randomly disappear.
Anyway, every time I'm sick it lasts for weeks. A simple cold will inevitably turn into a nasty sinus infection. I always end up having to rush to the doctor for antibiotics. Airborne and all the vitamin C in the world won't touch it. And we all know, after taking the same antibiotics over and over, that they become ineffective.
I was camping last week with my runny-nosed 7th graders in Pennsylvania. Sharing a cabin with 7 crazy middle schoolers and running around on no sleep was the perfect cocktail for a monster cold. I came home for the weekend, experienced the sniffles, and when I returned to camp this week with 8th grade I was fighting it full-on. Without the time, patience, or money for the doctor, I decided to put good ol' vitamin D to the test.
I had read an article several months back about how vitamins are a rip-off; anyone who shares my distrust of the pharmaceutical industry has my immediate attention. While I don't normally consider Reader's Digest to be a reliable medical journal, they were right on. The author stated that vitamin C won't do anything for the immune system, and that vitamin D is the only effective tool against illness - something my best friend's mom has been telling me for years. I used to supplement with D, but I'm now convinced I wasn't taking enough. I started taking 8 a day. Symptoms decreased almost immediately. I also added hot tea to my regimen; I absolutely loathe tea of any kind, especially hot tea - but hot, herbal/green tea with no sugar soothed my sore throat, and I started to drink several cups a day. I don't think it's any coincidence that my condition improved.
Combine all this with a humidifier to comfort the membranes and ease the breathing, a generic Unisom for good sleep (first sleeping aid I've ever taken that actually works), Alka Seltzer to fight congestion, ibuprofen to reduce swelling in the throat and lots and lots of fresh air and even sunshine (more vitamin D!)... and there you have it. My very first win against the common cold.
So what are you secret weapons against the cold season?
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