I'm sick
Posted by Anonymous on May 26, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
I'm sick. At the moment it's a sinusy head cold, but these things normally go to my chest. I can't afford to be sick as I have three assignments due in around 10 days. Does anyone know any tried and true ways to get better and feel better quickly? My boyfriend has hot lemon and honey drinks when he's sick, but honey is a no-no for me.
Also, can I keep going to the gym and just do a light workout or do I have to take a break from exercise? For rehabilitation reasons I really don't want to stop exercising.
Thanking you in advance for any suggestions.
I know light workouts always help me get better quicker, and I have read a lot of studies that say it won't make you worse- unless you have really severe symptoms like vomiting. Hope you feel better soon! Try some homemade vegan soup- lots of vitamins and definitely comfort food!
There were saunas at coffee houses where I used to live that did wonders for all sorts of things. I have a friend who advocates cardio exercise for congestion because he says it helps break up the gunk.
Hi BCSH!
I'm so sorry to hear that you are sick! You mentioned that your boyfriend hsa hot lemon and honey drinks when he is sick, but honey is a no-no for you, so maybe try subbing organic grade B maple syrup for it. I've heard that it has alot of good minerals in it.
I never really get sick, so I don't have many suggestions for what to do. But, drink lots of liquids, and soup is always amazing. A good vegetable soup seems perfect for this situation. My mom makes a great veggie soup by using: water, russet potatoes, frozen corn, frozen green beans, frozen green garbanzo beans, salsa, some salt, and any other things she's got on hand (cabbage, spinach, etc.)
I also suggest getting sufficient sleep. I'm sure a light work out won't hurt you at all. It would probably be beneficial and help you sleep better.
Hope you feel better soon!
Hope you are feeling better soon! They say light cardio is fine if it is only congestion. If it moves to your chest, don't do it! It can cause damage. This coming from someone that used to have chronic bronchitis!
Years ago when I was in Grand Cayman, I got sick. Bad cold that did move to my chest. A lady that worked in the restaurant/bar of my hotel brought me what she called a sure cure. She said if it didn't help, I would have to see a doctor.
I know you don't do honey so would have to find a substitute. I dislike honey but don't rule it out of my diet so I drank what she gave me. Fowl tasting and three times a day. A little shot glass of honey, lemon juice and actual chucks of fresh garlic. I had to hold my nose to drink it but it did help big time and I was lucky enough to do a shallow dive with the stingrays. My deep diving had to end.
I made it home breathing but as I didn't continue the 'cure', it came back big time. By the time I decided to go to the doctor, I was close to having pneumonia. I had to go on antibiotics. Of course, I didn't go to the doctor for close to two or three weeks after returning from my trip! :-(
As someone suggested, maybe you could substitute the maple syrup. Try to buy organic if you do.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Di
Ginger lemon tea is good for congestion. Slice 2 inches of ginger and simmer it in water for about 20 minutes then add lemon to taste.
Any good soup you like, add a good dollop of miso and stir before eating! Especially if it's in my chest (and all my colds make a beeline for there, and I don't even smoke!!), I find a soup with miso in it just seems to soothe and make me feel better.
Green tea also helps with congestion and colds. Personally I don't sweeten it, but some folks do.
And don't forget to rest, esp. if you have even a low-grade temp. A low grade fever can make you feel worse than a high one--because you're "not sick enough" to go to bed and say forget it, but not well enough to actually *do* anything.
I find that raw garlic helps (well, cooked might help too, but you don't have the fun of stinking like a head of garlic all day :P). Either lightly cook an entire head of garlic (peeled, of course) in some oil and eat it in another dish, or if you can stomach it, just eat them plain raw. I find them too hot/spicy to eat raw just like that but mashing it an putting it on salad, bread, or in soup, works fine.
Garlic has antimicrobial properties, especially the essential oil in it. The reason you smell like garlic after eating it is that the essential oil is not broken down but passes into your blood stream complete and is then excreted through the lungs, skin, urine, etc. My guess is that this is how it can actually fight an infection from the inside, because the antimicrobial oil will float through your bodily fluids before it is excreted.
Whatever the science behind it, it works wonders for me when I am at the beginning of a common cold. I don't know how it works for sinus infections and later in an infection cycle, but it's worth a try.
go to whole foods and get some probiotics! i use "power dophilus", and they work great! they strengthen your own immune system by giving you more of the good bacteria that your body needs (and should be making, but antibiotics kill them).
the label says to take 1-3 tablets after a meal. according to my DO, if you are sick, you can take much more than that. when i am sick, i take 3 after each meal. you will be surprised how quickly things clear up. my family is always amazed! i even open the capsules and mix it into my kids' juice when they are sick. works really well on them, too.
fiona
Thank you for your comments and well wishes.
I meant to post a reply hours ago, but forgot to press the button, sorry.
I will keep up with the exercise, but maybe do it outdoors. I read that people get sick more in winter (I'm in New Zealand) not because of the cold weather, but because they are indoors more. I made soup tonight with lots of fresh veg and some tofu, just because I love tofu. And I'll work to keep my water intake up. I just bought a blender too, so let's see what sort concoctions I can make. I'm not looking forward to experimenting with raw garlic and ginger, but it can't taste any worse than this disgusting decongestant drink I bought at the supermarket.
Thanks for all your help. I'll let you know what works.
Everyone has given you so much good advice, I have nothing to add. I'll just say I hope your "ick" is short-lived and that you feel great in no time. ;)
OK so is VegWeb contagious? Now I'm coming down with something. I have to speak on Sunday (visual aids and all!) so I made the Ginger and Peanut Soup on this site and added a big old spoonful of miso, and went to bed way early. That soup sounds so gross (PB in soup has always been disastrous until I met VW) and is so lush. This time I just coarsely chopped the ginger and garlic and it was soooo goooood.