Effective Ways To Treat The Flu

Take Expectorants

One aspect of the flu is the increased production of mucus in the body, and patients tend to have excess mucus in their respiratory system. It can be too dry to cough up, leading to shortness of breath and dry coughing. If patients take an expectorant, they can cough up the phlegm in their lungs and throat to open their airways. Expectorants thin and loosen mucus by giving it a higher water content. Though expectorants don't treat the underlying flu virus or other infection that's causing symptoms, they can help affected individuals sleep better at night. The more sleep patients get, the better their immune system will function as it fights off the virus. Some expectorants can be prescribed by a doctor, and there are also over-the-counter options available. A variety of natural expectorants can be purchased as well. Even taking a steamy shower can sometimes be enough to loosen mucus in the chest. If patients are not feeling up to a shower, a hot bath can have the same effect. Brewing a mug of hot tea and letting it steam under their nose also sometimes helps.

Keep reading for more methods of treating the flu now.