Tag: Congestion

Rapid and unexplained weight fluctuations are a common symptom of illness. When you’re sick with a cold or sinus infection, you might feel bloated and heavy, and a quick glance at the scale can confirm a slight increase. This temporary bump is not fat but is caused by inflammation and fluid retention, so does being congested make you weigh more? Yes, and it’s a normal part of your body's immune response to fighting infection.

According to a 2019 study published in *JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery*, patients and physicians often define the common complaint of congestion differently, highlighting a critical communication gap. In medical terms, **what is congestion in medical terms** refers broadly to an abnormal or excessive accumulation of any bodily fluid, whether it be mucus, blood, or tissue fluid, in an organ or tissue. This versatile term encompasses conditions ranging from a simple stuffy nose to serious cardiac issues.

Our sense of flavor is approximately 80% smell, which is why a stuffed-up nose from a cold or flu can make food seem bland. To stimulate your senses and get your taste back while sick, focus on both short-term sensory tricks and supporting your body's recovery.

According to a 2023 survey, nearly 90% of US employees admitted to working while sick, a phenomenon known as presenteeism. When your head is stuffed up, and you're feeling unwell, knowing whether you should work with congestion or take a sick day is a common but crucial health decision.

Dizziness is a less common but distressing symptom of the common cold, often caused by inflammation affecting the inner ear's balance system. If you're wondering, "how do you get rid of dizziness from a cold?", the solution often involves simple home remedies and plenty of rest.

According to the EPA and CDC, proper ventilation can help reduce airborne contaminants, including viruses, indoors. For those wondering, **is it better to have a fan on or off when sick**?, the answer depends heavily on your specific symptoms, the room's ventilation, and how the fan is used.

According to researchers at Yale, a warmer body temperature can boost immune cell activity against viruses like the common cold, suggesting that applying moderate heat might have benefits. But is heat good for you when you're sick, and what's the safest way to use it?

The human body produces over a liter of mucus every day to protect the respiratory system from invaders. However, when illness or allergies cause overproduction, many people wonder what dries up mucus and provides relief, often looking for solutions that can be counterproductive to feeling better.

For centuries, the cold sock trick has been a staple of traditional hydrotherapy for fighting off sickness, yet mainstream science has offered limited support. This article investigates the claims and cautions surrounding this age-old remedy to definitively answer the question: Does the cold sock trick work?

With adults experiencing an average of two to three colds per year, it's a common illness with a wide range of symptoms. A lesser-known but very real consequence is a throbbing head, so to answer directly, yes, a cold can cause a headache.