What Does Cold Shortening Mean & How is Homeopathic Practice Involved?

You probably have been through all the usual annoyances of dealing with a common cold. The sneezing and sniffles can become extremely tiresome as you try to get healthy. Wouldn’t you like to do everything in your power to shorten your cold and get back to yourself faster?

We are going to talk about the idea of what cold shortening really means. And no, it is not cold prevention. We’ll also discuss how homeopathic practice plays a role in the idea behind cold shortening. Plus, find out what might help your cold go away faster and get tips for reducing the risk of common colds or strategies for dealing with cold symptoms, including Zicam® Cold Remedy!

What is Cold Shortening?

Cold shortening is the idea of actively shortening the length of your cold symptoms, rather than just masking the symptoms. Although there is no cure for the common cold, certain remedies and strategies may help alleviate symptoms faster.

The common cold has four stages and can last anywhere between one week and 14 days. By shortening the length of cold symptoms, you may be able to progress through the stages at a quicker rate than if you were to let your cold naturally run its course.

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is based on a principle called "the Law of Similars,” which states that "like cures like", or that a substance can treat a sick person's symptoms if it can cause a similar sickness in a healthy person.

How Does Homeopathy Work?

Under homeopathic theories, homeopathic medicines seek to stimulate the body's inherent healing response, working to return it to a state of health. Homeopathic medicines are different from most allopathic medicines, which can mask symptoms temporarily.

Tips for How to Help Shorten Cold Symptoms at Home

You can take certain steps and try different at-home strategies to help get rid of cold symptoms faster. These should include:

• Getting plenty of rest.
• Staying hydrated.
• Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Inhaling steam or moisture, like by using a humidifier or breathing in steam from a hot shower or bowl of chicken noodle soup, etc.
• Adjusting sleeping position, slightly, to be less horizontal, which can help the fluid in your sinuses to keep flowing and thus reduces congestion.
• Trying a saltwater rinse or gargle.

You may notice that blowing your nose is not on the list, despite nasal congestion being a frequent symptom associated with the common cold. That’s because you have to exercise a bit of caution and be particular when blowing your nose.

Does Blowing Your Nose Help Get Rid of a Cold Faster?

Blowing your nose often can help to alleviate congestion and other cold symptoms so that you can get rid of your cold faster—but you have to do it the right way.

If you blow your nose too hard, you risk putting too much pressure on your nasal and sinus passages and propelling mucus into those areas, thus potentially worsening your congestion. You want to press a finger over one nostril and blow gently, then repeat the steps for the other nostril.

Want to Know How to Shorten Your Cold? Take Zicam® Cold Remedy!

Now you have some at-home remedies for how to try and shorten the length of your cold. But if you’re also looking for a cold shortening medicine that can help your cold go away faster when used at the first sign, look no further than Zicam® Cold Remedy!

Our products come in a variety of formats and can help shorten the length of your cold*. Find the Zicam® Cold Remedy product that suits your needs, such as:

• Zicam® Cold Remedy RapidMelts® ingredients include zinc and reduce the duration of the common cold*. These quick-dissolve tablets melt in your mouth and come in Citrus, Cherry, or Lemon-Lime flavors, as well as an Elderberry (sambucus nigra) Citrus formula that also helps relieve cold symptoms‡. ULTRA RapidMelts® are available in Orange Cream and Cherry flavors, both of which are free of sugars and dyes.
• Zicam® Cold Remedy Medicated Fruit Drops come in Orange, Manuka Honey, and Elderberry (sambucus nigra) flavors and also help relieve cold symptoms‡.
• Zicam® Cold Remedy Lozenges are formulated with zinc and reduce the duration of the common cold*. These great-tasting Wild Cherry flavor lozenges also help soothe sore throats and coughs‡.
• Zicam® Cold Remedy Oral Mist™ is available in Arctic Mint flavor and formulated with zinc. Just spray inside your mouth at the first sign of a cold to reduce the duration and soothe sore throats and coughs‡.
• Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Spray is the only nasal spray that helps shorten colds*. This zinc-free, homeopathic, no-drip nasal spray reduces the duration of the common cold*, helps relieve nasal congestion, and contains cooling menthol and eucalyptus.
• Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs are the only cold-shortening nasal swabs, and they do not include zinc as an active ingredient. These homeopathic nasal swabs with soothing eucalyptus and cooling menthol deliver a patented gel formula to help relieve nasal congestion and shorten the duration of the common cold*.

There are plenty of options to choose from, so pick the right treatment you need for your congestion or other cold symptoms.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Getting a Cold

While it’s technically impossible to outright prevent getting common colds, you can reduce your risk of getting one. These include:

• Washing your hands with soap and water whenever you use the bathroom as well as when you sneeze, cough and blow your nose.
• Getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids.
• Disinfecting surfaces around your home.
• Staying away from others who are sick.
• Avoiding touching your eyes and mouth.
• Working out.

Generally speaking, being active, eating well, practicing good sanitation and getting sleep are important ways to reduce the risk of getting a cold. That makes sense, since these are all excellent ways to help support your immune system!