Cold season comes around every year, and while some people make it through the season with minimal illness others are sick constantly. The common cold is not a serious condition and does not cause health complications, but it can be mentally and physically wearing to constantly suffer from cold symptoms during cold season. There is no cure for the cold, nor is there a scientifically proven way to prevent it, but there are several things people can do to prevent being constantly ill during cold season.

The average adult requires 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, but in the modern world many people are going days or weeks getting less than 7 hours of sleep each day. Constant sleep deprivation can cause a number of issues, including a compromised immune system which can result in being ill constantly during cold season when germs are abundant. Getting enough sleep on a regular basis can boost a person’s health, and in turn when a person feels better he or she typically sleeps better.

Just like restorative sleep, the human body needs the proper amount of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, in order to function at its best and fight off germs like cold viruses. A diet that is high in fats, sugars, and processed ingredients typically does not give an individual a good chance at building up his or her immune system and avoiding catching a cold over and over. During cold season, it is best to focus on eating a whole diet that includes ample fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
While a balanced diet provides the majority of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that a person needs, some people swear by using vitamin and herbal supplements to keep illness away and improve overall health. Larger, better defined scientific studies are needed to discover if supplements can actually help prevent colds or shorten their duration, but some of the most popular supplements to help ward off colds are zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, and echinacea.

One of the best ways to prevent suffering from constant cold symptoms is to avoid being in contact with cold virus germs in the first place. Regular and thorough hand washing with soap and hot water is an individual’s best protection from contracting a cold. Since it may not always be possible for a person to wash his or her hands, it is a good idea for an individual to carry hand sanitizing solution that is at least 60% alcohol, and use it often to disinfect the hands while out in public.

A cold and allergies can have many symptoms in common, such as itchy eyes, congestion, a runny nose, and coughing. A person may think that he or she is continually suffering from a cold during cold season, when actuality feeling ill may stem from undiagnosed allergies that are not being properly treated. A simple allergy test can discover if this is the case, and a doctor can prescribe medication to keep allergy symptoms under control.

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Author's Bio: 

Brian Wu graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology and Neurobiology. Currently, he holds a PhD and is an MD candidate (KSOM, USC) in integrative biology and disease. He is also an experienced writer and editor for many prestigious web pages. Brian values the ability of all ages to learn from the power of stories. His mission is to write about health conditions, educational topics and life situations in an entertaining way in order to help children understand their own life conditions and daily circumstances.