Cold & Histamine: Helpful Tips
Colds and flu-like infections are usually harmless and generally clear up quickly. However, cold symptoms such as a sore throat and cough can still be very bothersome. But are medications always necessary for a cold? Can home remedies also help ? Find out more in our following blog article.
Here's what you should know about a cold
How long does a cold last? What symptoms can be expected? And which Is there a connection between colds and histamine ?
Cold and histamine
Histamine is a so-called inflammatory mediator and plays a major role in inflammatory processes in our body. If there is too much of it for various reasons, it can lead to various health problems. histamine in our body, is a low-histamine diet Recommended.
A balance between micro- and macronutrients is important in a balanced, low-histamine diet. During infections, your body releases increased amounts of histamine to activate the immune system. existing histamine problem can intensify this even further.
Furthermore, cold symptoms are very similar to histamine-related symptoms and are exacerbated by the histamine buildup. Conversely, tolerance to histamine-containing foods decreases.
Cold symptoms
A cold develops over several days. It usually begins with some of the the following symptoms associated with, which are more or less pronounced depending on the person:
- Sniffles
- blocked or runny nose
- Sneeze
- Sore throat
- Cough
- slight fever
- Exhaustion
- Headache
- Body aches
The flu (influenza) usually causes more severe symptoms than a common cold and begins very suddenly with symptoms such as chills, body and muscle pain or high fever.
Causes of a cold
Colds are Coughs are caused by various viruses that inflame the mucous membranes in the throat and nose. Unlike these harmless viruses, influenza viruses can lead to serious respiratory infections, such as pneumonia.
Cold: Duration and course
A cold typically starts with a scratchy or sore throat, followed shortly by a runny and blocked nose. Your body usually needs... about a week Time to recover from a cold. Symptoms like a runny nose or sore throat may subside after just a few days, while a Cough unfortunately up to 3 weeks can stop.
Preventing colds: How to support your immune system
Unlike the flu, there is no vaccine against the common cold. Therefore, having had a cold does not provide immunity. To protect yourself from catching another cold, it's important to strengthen your immune system. These tips, along with good hygiene practices, will help you do just that. To prevent colds :
- Sufficient sleep : 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night ensure that your body can recover.
- Healthy diet : Eating a varied, nutrient-rich and balanced diet supports your immune system.
- Drink plenty of fluids : By consuming at least 1.5 to 2 liters of low-sulfate water per day, you ensure that your mucous membranes are maximally moisturized.
- Exercise : Physical activity, ideally in the fresh air, counteracts the risk of catching a cold.
- Daily ventilation : Fresh air is particularly important in winter, as dry heating air irritates our mucous membranes.
- Avoid harmful substances : (Too much) alcohol and nicotine are detrimental to your health and are also unsuitable for a low-histamine diet. Ideally, avoid them altogether.
- Strengthen your mindset : When our mental health isn't good, we're often more susceptible to physical ailments. Practice mindfulness with yourself and your body. Breathing or meditation exercises can help with this.
Cold home remedies: What helps against a cold?
Have you caught a cold and are now laid up? There are a few things you can do to get well again as quickly as possible. Antibiotics are generally counterproductive for a cold, as they only work against bacteria. Colds, on the other hand, are usually caused by various viruses. The following home remedies can support your healing process:
- Strengthening gut flora and intestinal lining : Approximately 80% of all antibody-producing cells reside in the intestinal lining. A healthy gut flora forms the foundation for its function, for example, in protecting against pathogens. Prebiotic and probiotic foods are essential.
- Essential oils : Take thyme oil or oregano oil internally and chew sage leaves. These herbs are often also available in capsule form or as herbal teas. For external use, apply the carrier oil undiluted to the skin (caution: not to mucous membranes). Caution with mast cell sensitivity!
- Vitamin C : contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Quercetin : This bioflavonoid and polyphenol can be taken as a dietary supplement, but is also found in many foods, such as onions, apples, blueberries or kale.
- Cistus tea : The tea contains antioxidants and polyphenols. These contribute to strengthening the immune system and have antibacterial properties.
Cold and Sport
Extreme exercise is not recommended when you have a cold , as it can increase the risk of heart strain and prolong the illness. This can delay recovery and further weaken your immune system. Slight movement However, It's beneficial . Instead, for example, take a slow walk in the fresh air or do some light yoga exercises.