Author: Jami Ganz

Ask anyone how to get rid of the “common cold” and you’ll get a million different answers. While we aren’t doctors and therefore can’t guarantee that these tips will work, they come at the advice of medical professionals. Take a look what they suggest.

First Things First

E. Neil Schachter, M.D., who wrote The Good Doctor’s Guide to Cold and Flu, advises taking a shower first thing after you wake up feeling sick, as the steam can help to clear up some of that stuffiness you’re likely to feel. If the idea of being soaking wet when you’re already achy sounds less than ideal, there is an incentive, especially if you’re full of mucus and your sinuses are acting up—the humidity actually serves to help with both.

If you’re debating whether or not to take the day off, Dr. Jason Jones, GP, suggests judging by your symptoms, “If you have a fever (above [99.5 degrees F]), diarrhea, are coughing heavily or are so congested you have a headache, don’t go to work. These are signs you’re fighting an infection.”

While you might think staying home is taking the easy way out, Jones says that you risk aggravating your illness otherwise.

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration

It’s commonly said that you need to drink even more fluids when you’re under the weather, and there’s a reason for this. Jennifer Wider, M.D. spoke to SELF and explained, “Certain illnesses can cause a rapid water loss, for example vomiting and diarrhea.”

The point of drinking more water than you might normally is to prevent you from experiencing dehydration as this can exacerbate the symptoms—not that you ever want to be dehydrated, for the record. You’re also susceptible to dehydration if you’re in the midst of a fever.

Be careful not to have too much water though—that is a thing, as it turns out—as you don’t want to over-hydrate and, as a result, experience hyponatremia.  (Click here for more information about why you should be mindful of your water intake.)

Though the amount of water each person should be drinking varies, it’s suggested that a daily allotment of eight eight-ounce glasses should suffice for most. There’s water in the food you eat as well, which does count, though if you’re experiencing either diarrhea or you’re vomiting, you might need a little more water.

Breakfast

The food that you should be eating and steering clear of whilst sick really depends on what your symptoms are.

Gastroenterologist James Lee, MD, advocates the BRAT diet for those experiencing diarrhea. The foods you should focus on having if you’re following this are “bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Also oatmeal, boiled potatoes, saltine crackers, and baked chicken or turkey without the skin.”

Caffeine and artificial sweeteners, like sorbitol, are just a couple of the things that should be avoided if you’re experiencing these symptoms.

If it’s a sore throat that’s bothering you, on the other hand, Lauren Slayton, RD, suggests a combination of lukewarm peppermint tea with Manuka honey, as well as creamy, yet soft, foods. Take this opportunity to enjoy a bowl of mashed potatoes, custard, or some cream soup. If you want to go the slightly less-fattening route though, you can also have scrambled eggs or yogurt.

You should really strive to avoid drinking anything that’s hot, or eating foods that would constitute as “scratchy” like chips and granola. For more symptoms and how to approach them when it comes to food, click here.

Rely on a Lozenge

Though you should definitely take the above into consideration before choosing what you will or won’t eat whilst under the weather, you might want to take some zinc for t
he time being, according to Ananda Prasad, MD.

Research says it has the propensity to cut the length of your cold in half if you suck on it within the first 24 hours after you first experience symptoms. Not just that, but it can even ease your sore throat or, if you have it, runny nose.

The key is to stick to lozenges as opposed to syrup or another alternative, as it will stay in your mouth for a greater amount of time—so long as you don’t bite it.

There are a couple of things to be aware of though. Avoid orange lozenges if you decide to go this route, as both citric and tartaric acid can lessen the effect the zinc will have on you, and don’t become reliant on zinc, as it can result in diarrhea or vomiting.

Exercise—A Bit

Ball State University’s Leonard Kaminsky, PhD, of the university’s Clinical Exercise Physiology Program, Human Performance Laboratory, says that rather than hiding from exercise because you don’t feel 100 percent, doing some low-key exercise won’t just likely not exacerbate the situation, but it might even help somewhat.

When he says easy exercise though, he means it; activities like walking or yoga (the gentle kind) actually have the propensity to not only get you over your cold more quickly, but to lessen its intensity as well as stuffiness you’re experiencing.

Going overboard though might actually do the opposite and cause you to take a longer time to recover. Listen to your body, and if taking a walk around the block feels like too much, take that as a signal that you should stop and rest.

You should also avoid working out if you’re running a fever, your stomach is bothering you, or your body is aching. For more tips on judging whether you should workout whilst sick, click here.

Your Nose Knows

One trick to easing your congested sinuses is trying your hand at a decongestant nasal spray, says Laura Pizzi, PharmD, MPH, who teaches at the Thomas Jefferson University School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia.

The one thing you have to watch out for, though, is how reliant you’re becoming on one of these sprays, as using one for a longer period of time than the instructions advise has the ability to harm more than help, by irritating your nose and reverse the intended effects. If you use it the wrong way, you risk extra congestion. Just ensure you’re following the instructions regarding the dosage, to a tee.

Another option is to use what’s referred to as “nasal irrigation systems” which utilize saline and are helpful when it comes to “[treating] congested sinuses, colds and allergies.”

The FDA warns against using tap water given that it isn’t filtered as well as it should be, and the bacteria found in there “can stay alive in nasal passages and cause potentially serious infections.”

Elderberry Syrup

Though this probably only sounds familiar in reference to Sleeping Beauty and other fairy tales, elderberry, which is known as elder for short, is actually a plant—technically “a large shrub or small tree.” It’s served humans well for hundreds of years and can be taken orally as a means of “[treating] respiratory illnesses such as cold and flu.”

Though this isn’t the only purpose it serves, black elder, which is also referred to as European elder, is the most commonly used species when it comes to serving as a form of medicine.

While it might come off as a bit too good to be true for those who aren’t fans of seemingly holistic purposes, it’s the flavo
noids in the plant which are most helpful. Also found in particularly popular berries like blueberries and blackberries, flavonoids are even more potent in elderberry, and could potentially “help prevent damage to the body’s cells.”

Be sure to avoid the dwarf elder at all costs, as it may be poisonous. Keep in mind that there haven’t been too many human studies involving elder, so its effectiveness is yet to be confirmed.

Bedtime

When it comes to figuring out your bedtime, Dr. Jones says that it’s best to get to sleep on the earlier side, but you shouldn’t alter your schedule too much. He says not to go to bed “more than an hour before your usual bedtime so you keep your routine and sleep well.”

The widely popular eight-hour rule is still something to take into account as well, in order to facilitate the healing process.

According to a study found in Sleep, the amount of sleep a person gets on regular basis impacts their likelihood to become sick, when compared to those who sleep an average minimum of seven hours each night. In fact, the study found that those in the former category were nearly five times as likely.

Factors that didn’t appear to play a role included, but were not limited to the season, as well as the demographics of each participant.

Do you ever see some strange mark on your body and immediately panic? Then when you’re panicking, is Web M.D. your next move? It leads you to panic more and consider calling every doctor you have, doesn’t it? Well here are some strange things about your body that usually turn out to be completely normal.

Internal Worms

Did you know that about a hundred years ago, it wasn’t a rare occurrence for worms to be present within the human body, more specifically, within the intestines? As you take a minute to absorb (and cringe about) that, you should know that it wasn’t all negative. Sure, the thought of it is gross, but it just so happens that these worms might be linked to aiding those with multiple sclerosis and allergies, among other afflictions.

It turns out that certain “intestinal worms may be ecological mutualists, providing advantages for their host organisms while also benefitting themselves.”

Hey, at least they have the potential to be helpful to us, in that they “may play a vital role in keeping the gut free of harmful bacteria.” Amazingly, that doesn’t make it sound any less disturbing to us, but then again, maybe you have a stronger stomach than any of us do.

Runny Nose

Speaking of running (laugh, please, we need it), it’s pretty common for runners to be in need of a tissue once their run is finished. Rhinitis, which is the actual name for a “runny nose during exercise,” is no stranger to those outdoor runners, though the time of year does tend to affect it.

As you probably guessed, it’s more of a hassle during the colder months and “especially, of course, during times when allergens like pollen, dust and dry air are high.” This then affects your nasal passes and leads to the subsequent presence of mucus—hold your applause.

Another possible reason for runny noses being more of a common occurrence outside than inside, is “air pollution, particularly the nitrogen dioxide found in car exhaust, [which] is a big trigger.”

If this theory is correct, you might want to reconsider how much you value “fresh air” over a dry nose.

Jumping Frenchmen of Maine

Named for literal Jumping Frenchmen of Maine, this disorder was noted back in 1878, as “a condition characterized by an unusually extreme startle response.” It first afflicted “an isolated population of lumberjacks of French Canadian descent,” for which it is named.

While this was sometimes characterized by the way a person began immediately repeating the words of another in an “uncontrollable” fashion, which is also known as echolalia , or whether they would “[meaninglessly repeat or imitate] … the movements of others,” which is also known as echopraxia, it would vary.

Sometimes, it could even result in what a 1986 abstract deemed “forced obedience.”

Benzodiazepines, which are intended for those who are plagued by extreme anxiety or seizures, can apparently be used to treat one suffering from this as well. If you’re wondering what it is that triggers these reactions, stimuli is the culprit, with “involuntary jumping and falls” being an example.

Adult Acne

Despite what you might have been told during the dark days of high school (or during all of adolescence), acne doesn’t end with graduation. Dr. Ava Shamban, a dermatologist who spoke to Bustle, noted that though plenty of women are under the impression they should not be getting acne in their adult years, this isn’t necessarily the case.

Dr. Shamban attributes the issue to a multitude of possible factors, whether that’s extenuating health issues, not ensuring that the skin is clean and well taken care of, or hormones.

Nose Hairs

The idea that only men ever get nose hair is yet another all-too-common misconception. Rather, similarly to other hair found on the body, though it might prove inconvenient, it’s there for a reason.

This is pointed out by Dr. Shamban who describes that the presence of nose hair is actually “‘necessary to filter out allergens and dust from the environment.’”

Asymetrical Breasts

Bustle spoke to Donnica L. Moore, MD, who assured them that having uneven breasts doesn’t necessarily mean anything is out of the ordinary, per se.

Rather, it’s actually pretty common. This can apply to either a variation in shape or size, which “can be very different,” and you needn’t worry about it.

What we will say, though, is that despite your breasts not being symmetrical likely being normal, it is always best to check with a doctor and keep up on your annual exams. t’s always a good idea to confer with someone who specializes in the field and can speak to your specific circumstances rather than the general population.

Smelling Like a Geriatric

Now we’re not talking about the smell in nursing homes here. That’s different—at least we hope it is. Apparently though, senior citizens aren’t the only ones who “have a distinctive smell, but so do people at all stages of life.”

Tongue Psoriasis

Okay, so it’s not technically psoriasis, but it might as well be. Benign migratory glossitis, which is also referred to as Geographic Tongue, is what you call it when “your mouth starts exhibiting symptoms like that of psoriasis.”

Though the Mayo Clinic makes it clear that the condition is in fact harmless, it has the propensity to make you uncomfortable or “[increase] sensitivity to certain substances.” These substances include, but are not limited to, “hot, spicy, salty or acidic foods.” Lesions that are found on an affected tongue lend it “a map-like, or geographic, appearance.”

As far as additional symptoms are concerned, they’re mostly appearance-related, such as evidence of the lesions (which are said to be “smooth, red, irregularly shaped patches”) that are located either “on the top or side of your tongue.” Alterations in where these lesions can be found, their size, or how big or small they are can also be symptomatic, if any of this is a regular occurrence.

While likely nothing to worry about, if your condition doesn’t clear up within a week, or a maximum of 10 days, then you should be sure to visit either your dentist or another doctor.

Twitching Muscles

If you don’t drink much water while you’re working out, or beforehand, then you might be used to feeling your muscles twitch a bit. According to Christopher Minson, Ph.D., you could be experiencing “muscle fasciculations … [which are] caused by an imbalance of electrolytes in your muscle fibers as they fatigue.”

In order to avoid this, says Men’s Health, you have to ensure you’re adequately hydrated. While sports drinks like Gatorade definitely have electrolytes, you should stick to cold water for the shorter workouts—30 minutes or less.

If you’re doing anything longer, that’s when you resort to Gatorade and the like, because of the “potassium, sodium, and other electrolytes to [help] replenish what your body lost through sweat.”

So long as your twitching fades away quickly, you should be fine. It’s when it lasts “for days or disrupts your sleep, [that] you should see a doctor,” as there is a slight possibility that you might have torn or strained something, according to Michael J. Ryan, Ph.D. If your spasms are more frequent or have gone on for a relatively long time, it might mean something else.

Taste of Metal When Running

If you’re a runner, you might be familiar with that strange taste you get as you’re in the middle of an intense workout.

Well, Men’s Health would like you to know that blood-like taste you can’t help but cringe at is, in fact, blood. According to Jordan Metzl, who happens to be a sports medicine doctor, this taste is a sign that you’ve popped some red blood cells. This leads to the “‘release [of] heme,’ or iron, which is why it tastes like metal.”

It isn’t just your taste that’s being affected by this popping, but your air sacs as well, as the “red blood cells can also leak into your air sacs during really hard efforts.”

Though the idea of contending with popped blood cells might sound a bit disconcerting, you shouldn’t worry much if it’s only a sporadic occurrence. If it’s normal for you though, then you should probably visit a doctor to make sure you’re alright.

We all know those strange white marks on our fingernails, but few of us know what they mean. In fact, your fingernails can lend way more insight into the state of your body and health than you might realize. Here are what your fingernails can tell you.

1. Nail Beading

Likely caused by thyroid issues, hormonal changes, diabetes, or stress, this condition can be identified by “vertical beaded ridges resembling a candle’s wax drippings.”

Not a fan of the way it looks? You have options. Medium-grit buffers can be used to help with smoothing these ridges.

Onychogryphosis

In general, onychogryphosis is characterized by “a thickening of the nail plate, with associated gross hyperkeratosis and increased curvature.” The surface is known to be irregular, and the most notable physical traits don’t actually manifest until later on. The disease is particularly “common on the great toenail of elderly patients,” and is seen as a result of many issues, such as: old age, peripheral circulation disorders, and self-neglect (which is likely why homelessness is another cause).

Though these are only a few of the causes, with others including pressure that arises from “improper footwear,” or hallux valgus, when hereditary, this can affect every toenail and fingernail.

2. Terry’s nails

The best way to describe these is probably nails in reverse. Whereas typical nails are only white at the tip, Terry’s nails are mostly white, aside from the “narrow pink band at the tip.” While it can, in cases, be the result of aging, this can also be the result of diabetes or liver disease. It can even be a symptom of congestive heart failure or kidney failure, so just keep an eye on it.

Terry’s nails, according to data, has “no relation with hypoaluminemia and anemia,” though when it comes to renal damage, the nails are visually affected first.

Pitted Nails

Onycholysis isn’t the only nail-related condition to stem from psoriasis. Pitting, also known as pitted nails, is another consequence linked to the skin condition.

It’s not just a disease you can ignore either, as having pitting on top of psoriasis can increase your risk of something like psoriatic arthritis, “a painful joint inflammation.”

3. Beau’s lines

Multiple issues can serve as the explanation for Beau’s lines, which “are indentations that run across the nails,” and can be found “when growth at the area under the cuticle is interrupted by injury or severe illness.”

Some of these issues which are linked to a high fever, include pneumonia, as well as measles, mumps, and scarlet fever—though the latter three are no longer particularly common in this day and age. Other possible conditions are peripheral vascular disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or an indication of zinc deficiency.

Spoon nails

Koilonychia, which, in lay terms, has been called spoon nails, can be distinctive in appearance. Unlike healthy nails, they aren’t hard and look as though they’ve been uplifted your fingers and turned outwards, or “scooped out.”

This can signify multiple conditions such as heart disease, iron deficiency anemia, hypothyroidism, or even hemochromatosis—“a liver condition … in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.”

4. Onycholysis

Are your fingernails loose? Do they easily detach from your nail bed? If you answered yes to either of these questions and “the separated part of the nail becomes opaque with a white, yellow or green tinge,” then you should pay special attention to this part, because those are the symptoms of onycholysis.

While the separated nails can be linked to an infection or an injury, that’s not always the circumstance. Sometimes it’s “a reaction to a particular drug or consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives,” or it could also be linked to psoriasis or thyroid disease.

Though the process of the separation is regarded by the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD) as painless and relatively common, it’s noted that women, specifically those who have longer fingernails, are most susceptible.

As it happens, this condition usually affects more than one nail, and a bacterial or yeast infection can begin to fester.

5. Yellow Nail Syndrome

Now, this is exactly what it sounds like, in terms of your nails being yellow, but there’s more to it than that. Not only will your nails be discolored, this will render them thicker and slow down their growth. As a matter of fact, that’s what causes them to turn yellow.

In addition to these factors, yellow nail syndrome might result in a “lack [of] cuticle and detach from the nail bed in places,” sounds nice, right?

Respiratory disease—which could be chronic bronchitis, for instance—many times, is what leads to this condition. When your hands swell, which is part of something known as lymphedema, can also result in yellow nail syndrome.

In some cases, this nail condition can be linked to “the accumulation of fluid in the membranes surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity (pleural effusion).” The syndrome doesn’t just affect the look of nails either, but people with it tend to have swollen legs and arms as well.

6. Splinter Hemorrhages

Splinter hemorrhages, which can also be referred to as fingernail hemorrhages, indicate bleeding, which occur underneath your nails.

If you recently injured yourself and you notice “long, black, splinter-like lines” ( which “run in the direction of nail growth” ) in your nails following said injury, there’s probably nothing to worry about. It becomes a bit more serious though, when there wasn’t an injury and then, there is cause for concern.

According to Dr. Dana Stern, who specializes in nails and is also a dermatologist, “They could mean you have bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the valves and inner lining of the heart,” especially if you’ve recently undergone a procedure—this can be medical or dental—and you’d need to take antibiotics to clear it up.

Other possible causes for splinter hemorrhages are lupus erythematosus, as well as antiphospholipid syndrome , or microemboli—this is when “tiny clots … damage the small capillaries.”

7. Clubbing

No, your nails aren’t heading off to party until three in the morning. If your nails are clubbed—think of a clubbed foot—it means that “the tips of the fingers enlarge and the nails curve around the fingertips.”

Though this doesn’t usually just occur overnight, rather being a years long process, clubbing can actually signify an assortment of lung diseases, in addition to less oxygen in your blood than there should be.

You should know that it’s a symptom of some additional serious conditions, including, but not limited to, cardiovascular disease or an early indicator of AIDS . Liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease have also been cited as possible explanations for nail clubbing, as has hypertrophic osteoarthropathy.

The latter is a condition which affects the bones and joints, which just so happens to be “characterized by clubbing of the fingers and toes, enlargement of the extremities, and painful and swollen joints.”

8. Blue nails

This “could indicate a life-threatening condition such as a heart attack or embolism.” While it isn’t always a sign of something quite so dangerous as those conditions, blue fingernails might denote that you’re near fainting or at least, lightheaded.

You might also want to hold off from working out if your nails are not only blue but heart and lungs are negatively affected as it can be harmful in these “life-threatening cases.”

While Medline Plus notes that abnormal hemoglobin, heart disease, not enough “oxygen being pumped by the blood through the heart,” and lung disease all serve as potential causes for this blue discoloration, the causes are not limited to these.

Additional reasons include, but are not limited to, asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary hypertension. Raynaud’s syndrome, which, while “relatively harmless,” actually results in “[restricted] or [limited] blood supply, leaving behind a bluish color in the fingers.”