Common Ailments You Can Treat at Home

You want to get better as fast as possible when you’re sick. You probably don’t want to spend your time doctor-hopping and queueing at the hospital just because you have a sore throat or fever. Instead, what you need is a home treatment for common illnesses. There are many illnesses we all get throughout our lives. Some may be more common in certain seasons or ages, but they are unavoidable unless you live in a bubble or become a hermit for the rest of your life! The good news is that most of these common ailments can be treated at home with simple remedies and lifestyle changes. From flu and cough to sore throat and cold, here’s a guide on how to treat everyday ailments at home:

Common Ailments You Can Treat at Home

Aches and Pains

Aches and pains are very common. In fact, there’s a chance that most of us are suffering from some pain right now! People who are active and prone to injury are likely to experience pain at some point. But it’s also common for people who don’t exercise or lead a very sedentary lifestyle to suffer from aches and pains too. Aches and pains can result from several things – from sprains and strains to poor posture and overuse. They can be dull and persistent or throbbing and debilitating. The best way to treat them is to find their cause and treat that. If you’ve sustained an injury, it’s best to rest the area until it heals. You can use painkillers for any inflammation, swelling, or throbbing in the affected area.

Cold and Flu

There is a vast difference between a cold and the flu. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell which illness you have. A common cold is a viral infection that causes a runny nose, cough, sneezing, and headaches. They often last for about a week, although colds can last for as long as 10 days. Flu, on the other hand, is caused by a different type of virus. It’s related to the common cold but much more severe and can lead to complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and even death. A viral infection can’t be cured or treated with antibiotics, so there isn’t much your doctor can do for you.

But there are some things you can do to help yourself get better faster. Most importantly, you have to rest and take care of yourself. You can also try these: Eating well can help you fight off the flu. Cut down on refined carbohydrates and go for healthier sources of carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Include lots of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to boost immunity.

Headache

Some of us get headaches regularly. Some are due to stress, some due to diet, and some to eye strain. Headaches can be treatable at home when they are mild. If you are experiencing a headache, drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine (tea and coffee) as it can make headaches worse. Take a break from the screen. Try to look away from your computer or mobile phone every 20 minutes. If your headache is caused due to eye strain, try these:

• Wear reading glasses or use an eye-strain reduction app.
• Blink often to moisten the eyes.
• Use a humidifier to keep the air moist. Keep the room cool, as warm air can dry out the eyes.

While most headaches can be treated at home, you should see your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• You experience pain in your neck, temples, or back of your head.
• You feel nauseous or lightheaded.
• The pain is intense, lasts longer than 24 hours, or worsens over time.
• You experience a sudden change in your headache pattern.

Sore Throat

A sore throat is likely a viral infection caused by a sore throat virus, such as tonsillitis or throat infections. The most common causes of a sore throat are:

• Allergies.
• A bacterial or viral infection.
• A cold or flu.
• A food allergy.
• Some irritation like acid reflux.

A sore throat can be triggered by allergies, eating certain foods, talking, and smoking. A sore throat can also be a symptom of a more severe throat infection. You should see your doctor if your throat worsens or doesn’t clear up after a few days. Use lozenges, honesty, warm liquids to soothe sore throats, and OTC pain medication.

Skin Irritation and Rashes

We all get rashes and skin irritations from time to time. These can be due to many reasons, such as allergies, skin infections, stress, or an underlying medical condition like psoriasis or eczema. The best way to treat skin irritation is to find the different itchy, dry skin causes. Skin irritation and rashes are common ailments that can be caused by several things, including allergies and infections. They can appear anywhere on your body and are often accompanied by itching, pain, redness, and swelling. Common skin ailments include:

• Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions can cause skin irritation, such as hives, itching, swelling, and blisters.
• Herbal allergies: Some plants are toxic and can cause skin irritations.
• Skin infections: Skin infections can appear as pustules or blisters.
• Skin irritations: Skin irritations can be caused by different things, including too much sun exposure and wearing tight clothes.

Diarrhea & Vomiting

Diarrhea and vomiting are caused by viral infections, such as the flu or norovirus. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for these infections, but you can treat the symptoms with home remedies. If a viral infection causes your vomiting, there’s not much you can do besides rest, drink plenty of water and take care of yourself. You can prevent dehydration by drinking more water, avoiding caffeine, and eating bland foods like crackers and bananas.

It is important to note that if your symptoms last longer than a few days or are accompanied by pain, you should seek medical treatment to ensure nothing else is causing the vomiting and diarrhea.

Fever

A fever is nothing to worry about. It’s a perfectly normal bodily reaction when your body senses an infection in your system. It is often associated with a sore throat and a cough. You can treat a fever at home using these methods:

• Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. 
• Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol.
• Take a warm bath to soothe the body.
• Eat light and healthy meals to avoid overeating and to cause stomach discomfort.
• Use a cooling blanket to keep the body temperature regular.
• Use a humidifier to keep the room moist. 
• Avoid dry and dusty areas.
• Take painkillers if required.

Coughs

There are two types of coughs – acute and chronic. An acute cough is a cough that lasts less than three weeks. A chronic cough lasts longer than three weeks. Coughs are triggered by various factors – allergies, infections, weather changes, and lifestyle choices like smoking. Coughs are generally self-limiting and will subside in a few days. But they can be annoying and disruptive.

Nose Bleeds

Nose bleeds are usually caused by trauma, allergies, or a cold. They’re not usually serious, but it’s best to keep them from happening in the first place. There are a few things you can do to prevent nose bleeds, including:

• Using a humidifier will keep your respiratory system moist and prevent dryness.
• Eating nutritious foods – Healthy foods like fruits and vegetables contain anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent nose bleeds.
• Avoiding too much caffeine and alcohol can cause dryness in your respiratory system.
• Avoiding too much sun – Too much sun can cause your blood vessels to expand and make you more prone to nose bleeds.

Sprains

Sprains are caused by an improper bending of your joints, which pulls and damages the ligaments that connect your joints. They can be extremely painful, especially when you try to move your joints. There are a few things you can do to treat sprains at home. You can use a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain and a brace or bandage to support your joint. You should also elevate your joint to prevent blood from pooling and causing more swelling.

Sunburn

Sunburn is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. It can lead to wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer. There are a few ways you can treat sunburn at home, but you should always wear sunscreen and clothing to protect yourself from overexposure. You can:

• Drink lots of water: This will hydrate your skin and help flush out toxins.
• Apply a moisturizing lotion: This will give your skin the hydration it needs to heal.
• Take painkillers: This will reduce inflammation and ease the pain.
• Wear loose and comfortable clothing: This will help your skin heal better by keeping it moisturized.
• Eat nutritious foods: Healthy foods like fruits and vegetables contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe your skin.
• Avoid paraben and sulfate-free products: These can be gentle on your skin and prevent your skin from drying out.

Aches and pains, cold and flu, headaches, sore throats, skin irritations, diarrhea and vomiting, fevers, sprains, nose bleeds, and sunburn are all ailments you can treat at home. Viruses or bacteria bring them on, and there’s not much you can do about