Cure Cold Woes Now!

My head is achy. My stomach is feeling queasy. And if I snort or sniff one more time, I might rip my nose off entirely.

Not only does the common cold make you feel miserable, but it also gives you a downright whiny attitude. And there's no cure for it—the cold, that is. The attitude, I guess, I can work on.

Ask anyone for their prescription to treat the sniffles and they can rattle off a multitude of treatments. Tea with honey, extra-soft tissues and chicken soup are just a few of the most mentionable "cures."

But what happens when something like a simple cold leads to even worse health complications, like bronchitis, an ear infection or a sinus infection? Well, let's make sure that doesn't happen. Luckily, Good Housekeeping did some research on this and packaged their best tips in an article. Here are the highlights:

* Prevent a sinus infection. Start by finding a good nasal decongestant to get rid off mucus—ech!—buildup. And if you can't stand the thought of spraying something up your nose, then invest in a decongestant pill. Talk to your doctor before trying any over-the-counter medicaiton to treat a cold. A nice warm washcloth on your face can help, too, and, hey, that hot chicken soup isn't a bad idea either.

* Thwart bronchitis. This is where you need to eliminate any further irritants that may be lingering in your home or workspace. That means you need to avoid smoking and/or secondhand smoke, household cleaners, and even keeping warm by a fire—the particles can affect your airways.

* Soothe a pending ear infection. Try to avoid ear popping by taking deep breaths or holding your nose. Smoking is another no-no, and a solid decongestant can also help to keep ear canals open and lessen the possibility of an infection.

When I am sick I try to steer clear of meds because they always make me feel more light-headed and woozy than I would prefer. Soup and hot tea with lemon or honey are still my tried-and-true methods. And that hot wash cloth sounds like a good idea, too.

Please, share your wisdom with us! How do you prevent a cold from turning into something worse?

—Caroline Shannon