5 Life Hacks For When You're Sick

TL;DR

Learn about five non-pharmaceutical remedies, supported by science, that can help with congestion, nausea, pain, and stress.

Transcript

[♪ INTRO] No matter how healthy you are, you likely end up feeling sick at least a few times a year. Most of us do, and as common as it is, it’s always a pain to go through. So, for centuries, we humans have looked for ways to ease common symptoms like nausea, pain, and stuffy noses. Today, pharmaceutical remedies are a lot of people’s go-to and th... Read More

Key Insights

• 🐔 Chicken noodle soup may help with congestion by loosening mucus and reducing inflammation.
• 😑 Pressing the inside of the wrist can provide relief from various types of nausea, although results may vary.
• 🤢 Sniffing alcohol wipes or rubbing alcohol can alleviate nausea, potentially by inhibiting certain neurons associated with vomiting.
• 🥶 Ice massage can interfere with pain signals through the gate control theory, providing temporary relief.
• 😘 Regular massages can reduce stress, lower cortisol levels, and strengthen the immune response, making the body more resilient to illnesses.
• 👨‍🔬 These non-pharmaceutical remedies have been used for centuries and have scientific support, but further research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms.
• ❓ Individual responses to these remedies may vary, and it's important to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is chicken soup effective for congestion?

Chicken soup, particularly when hot, helps with congestion by loosening mucus and clearing out airways. The steam and potential compounds in the soup may play a role in its effectiveness.

Q: How does pressing the inside of the wrist relieve nausea?

While the exact mechanism is still unclear, pressing the inside of the wrist may interrupt pain signals that cause nausea. It could either release chemicals that reduce pain or block nerve signals associated with pain and nausea.

Q: Why does sniffing alcohol wipes or rubbing alcohol help with nausea?

The specific reason for this remedy's effectiveness is unknown. It has been hypothesized that the smell of alcohol inhibits certain neurons related to vomiting, but further research is needed to confirm this.

Q: How does an ice massage alleviate pain?

The gate control theory of pain suggests that other signals, such as touch and cold, can interfere with the transmission of pain signals to the brain. When performing an ice massage on a specific point, the cold signals close the gate on pain signals, making the brain focus more on the sensation of cold rather than pain.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chicken noodle soup has been used for centuries to treat colds and congestion. Recent studies suggest that it may help with congestion by loosening mucus and reducing inflammation.

• Pressing the inside of your wrist can help relieve nausea. This acupressure treatment has been found to be effective for various types of nausea, but results may vary.

• Sniffing alcohol wipes or rubbing alcohol can alleviate nausea. Though the exact mechanism is unknown, it has been shown to be more effective and cost less than anti-nausea medication.

• Ice massage, specifically rubbing ice between the thumb and forefinger, can help alleviate pain by interfering with pain signals through the gate control theory.

• Getting regular massages can reduce stress levels, lower cortisol levels, and strengthen the body's immune response, making it more resilient to illnesses.