With cold and flu season knocking on your door, you may be wondering how to tell if that cold is becoming something worse. Many people will skip the doctor for what they believe is just a cold because there is no real treatment available.
However, many colds can become pneumonia if left untreated, especially for seniors. Pneumonia is a condition that often causes patients to be hospitalized for several days and is even more dangerous for the very young or very old.
Supplements To Help Prevent Your Cold From Becoming Pneumonia
To prevent your cold from becoming pneumonia, here are a few things you should take (remember to always speak with your physician first before adding any supplements to your health regimen):
Vitamin C
Many people know the benefits of Vitamin C in the treatment and prevention of colds. This same vitamin can help prevent your cold from becoming deadly.
While the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C is only between 40 and 120 mg, to prevent pneumonia it is recommended that you take at least 1 full gram of Vitamin C each day.
You may choose to eat a large amount of citrus fruits to get your recommended daily dosage or take a Vitamin C supplement to help reach your recommended intake. If you are suffering from a cold, Vitamin C cough drops can help you reach your needed amount of Vitamin C.
Zinc
Recent studies have shown that a majority of people suffer from zinc deficiency. This can cause your immune system to become weakened.
Signs of zinc deficiency are:
- hair loss
- impaired taste and smell
- night-blindness
- diarrhea
- loss of appetite
Taking a zinc supplement that contains at least 30 mg of zinc each day can cut your risk of contracting pneumonia in half. If you happen to contract pneumonia, zinc is shown to relieve the inflammation and obstruction in the lungs and airways.
Natural And Herbal Preventatives
In addition to vitamins and mineral supplements, there are a variety of herbal remedies that may prevent your cold from becoming pneumonia. One such natural preventative is a compound of herbs including Barberry Root Bark, Oregon Grape Root, and Goldenseal.
This compound has many antibacterial properties that can stop your cold in its tracks. You will also want to include a natural probiotic compound in your daily routine. This compound will help to build up the good bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract which will help to support your immune system in fighting off the cold.
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Chief Operating Officer, The Compounding Pharmacy of America
Matthew Poteet, Pharm.D. graduated with Honors from Lee University with a Bachelors of Science in Biological Science. After his undergraduate training, he completed the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, graduating in 2004. Dr. Poteet has spent much of his pharmacy career on staff at two of the most prestigious academic teaching hospitals in the Southeast; Emory University in Atlanta and Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. At these institutions he received extensive experience and training in sterile products compounding.
He returned home to East Tennessee in 2010, where he has held the position of Pharmacy Director at two sterile products pharmacies in Knoxville. Matthew lives in Knoxville with his wife, Chris. Dr. Poteet is Tennessee’s first Board Certified Anti-Aging Pharmacist by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
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