Is That Sneeze Really The First Sign of a Cold

We’ve all seen the TV ads claiming that if you take product XYZ  at that first sneeze, you can shorten the duration of a cold.  Is that sneeze really the first sign of a cold?  Is there a way we can tell if a cold is coming on before that first sneeze?  If so, is there anything we can do to ward it off?

Listed in this article are some signs of an impending cold that occur as much as five days before that first sneeze.

Three to five days before that first sneeze:
You may experience extreme exhaustion, lack of motivation and the desire to just sleep.  While this is not a sign that the cold virus has attacked your body, it is a warning that you are a prime target.  An exhausted body doesn’t have the ability to ward off a viral attack.

Two to three days before that first sneeze:
Your taste buds may seem impaired.  For me, coffee tastes like creosote or like it is made with chicory.  Other foods just don’t taste right and I crave salty foods.  

Your sense of smell may also be altered. You may smell something burning, but not be able to find what it is, or any meat products may smell rancid.

You may experience joint and muscle pain.

One or two days before that first sneeze :
You may experience headaches that feel like pressure inside your head and ears.  The pressure may be so intense you feel like you head is going to explode.

The first sneeze arrives.  At this point most of the previous symptoms have disappeared, but the sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes are totally exhausting.  The symptoms of a cold may progress to coughing and congestion.  A cold will run its course in 10 days if your body is strong enough to fight it off.  It is possible that complications may set in if your immune system is compromised.

So what can you do about it?
At that first sign of exhaustion, drink a cup of chamomile tea before you go to bed at night.  It will help calm you, allow you to put your hectic day aside, and rest.
Start a regimen of Vitamin C, Zink and L Lysine.  These help build your immune system and give your body the nutrients it needs to combat infection
Take herbs or berries that help detoxify your body.  Some suggestions are Acai Berry, Black Cherry, Red Clover, and Citrus fruits.

There’s no guarantee you won’t catch a cold, but taking these steps may mean you the colds may be fewer and less severe.

Disclaimer: This article is written from my personal experience and observation of how my body works.  It is not backed up by any medical studies, and is given only for informational purposes.