Helpful hints you can do at home to help you recover from your cold

Sinus congestion:

• NeilMed Sinus Rinse (available at Albertsons, Walgreens, Rite Aid)
  Use as directed
• Afrin Nasal Spray 2x/day for no more than 5 days in a row
  Increase you clear liquid intake (goal is 8-10 glasses of water per day)
• Mucinex (over the counter) use as directed
• Ibuprofen (Advil) and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed if it does not interfere with your current medications (check with your pharmacist)

Chest congestion/cough:

• Mucinex (over the counter) use as directed
• Increase you clear liquid intake (goal is 8-10 glasses of water per day)

Sore Throat:

• Warm salt water gargle 3-4x/day (1 teaspoon of salt with 8 oz warm water
• Increase you clear liquid intake (goal is 8-10 glasses of water per day)
• Ibuprofen (Advil) and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed if it does not interfere with your current medications (check with your pharmacist)

You will need to be evaluated in our office if at any time your symptoms become worse (short of breath, wheezing, fever).

If you have already been evaluated in our office and we have given you prescription medication: Please finish ALL of your prescribed mediation. You may still have some congestion and/or coughing even once you have finished your medication. We do NOT anticipate you will feel better until most of your medication has been finished. With bronchitis, you may cough for up to 6 weeks, even though the infection is gone. You will need to be rechecked in our office at any time your symptoms become worse (short of breath, wheezing, fever).