Autumn is the time for colds, which lasts until late spring. It is advisable to prepare for such a season: to strengthen the immune system, give up bad habits, take vitamin therapy courses, get vitamins and trace elements with good nutrition, go to the sun, play sports, be in the fresh air as much as possible. These measures can help you avoid infection or help you get over a mild cold.
With acute respiratory infections, tonsillitis, laryngitis, the throat always hurts. There is a widespread belief that an effective remedy for colds is to treat the throat with vodka. Is it so? Many doctors believe that everything depends on the amount, and even recommend taking small doses to prevent not only infectious, but also cardiovascular diseases. And, for example, Academician Bekhterev considered vodka in any quantities to be poison for humans.
The effect of alcohol on the body
Under the influence of an intoxicating drink, the following processes occur in the body:
- blood pressure rises;
- heart rate increases significantly;
- blood vessels dilate;
- the concentration of glucose in the blood changes;
- blood circulation in the vessels of the brain slows down, which eventually leads to hypoxia;
- the excitability of nerve cells decreases;
- the level of adrenaline and norepinephrine in the blood rises;
- the destruction of the membranes of the liver cells occurs;
- a certain number of neurons in the brain die;
- the production of gastric juice increases due to excessive irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract;
- the production of mucin protein, which protects the gastric mucosa, is suppressed;
- the pancreas is destroyed, metabolism is disturbed;
- the production of erythrocytes and platelets is inhibited;
- the elasticity of the skin is lost.
When using vodka as part of the treatment of colds, such a possible risk as alcohol allergy cannot be ruled out.
During the period of an infectious disease, a person has an increased sensitivity to allergens and may develop an unexpected allergic reaction to any substance taken orally, including alcoholic beverages.
Of course, allergies will only aggravate the course of the disease.
Safe doses of alcohol
During the treatment of the throat with vodka, one should remember about the minimum doses safe for the body. For women it is 25 ml, for men - 50 ml. But under some circumstances, even the smallest doses can be dangerous. This is the use of an alcoholic drink by pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, while driving a vehicle, with mental illness and other chronic pathologies, in which there are absolute contraindications, in the treatment of drugs.
Of the useful properties of vodka for colds, it is possible to note the neutralization of pathogenic microorganisms, relaxation, hypnotic effect.
It should be remembered that the mucous membrane of the throat with a cold is especially vulnerable and sensitive, therefore, a strong drink can burn and dry the mucous membrane, cause a cough, increase swelling, and increase inflammation.
This is especially dangerous in any form of tonsillitis, since it is the mucous membrane of the pharynx and tonsils that is most damaged in acute tonsillitis. Also, alcohol causes dehydration of the body, which already occurs during intoxication processes.
Even small doses of vodka are strictly contraindicated in antibiotic treatment.
Alcohol for colds
Treatment of colds with vodka in the absence of contraindications is justified exclusively during the incubation period or in the prodromal period. That is, at the very beginning of the disease, when the infected person feels mild malaise, weakness, hypothermia, chills, at the beginning of catarrhal phenomena, small doses of alcohol can have a detrimental effect on microbes. But, unfortunately, if a cold has already begun, then it will continue to develop, and it is impossible to cure it with any alcoholic beverages.
If there is a sore throat, perspiration, dryness, fever, hyperemia of the mucous throat, then alcohol should not be consumed, this will aggravate the course of the disease.
In this case, it is necessary to urgently contact a specialist and take the prescribed treatment.
Vodka can give a greater effect as a prophylactic agent if consumed in safe doses during epidemics or the peak of infectious diseases. It should be remembered that you can not drink alcohol every day, even in small doses, since this can develop a systemic nature, which leads to household alcoholism.
Vodka compress
The most effective treatment is a vodka compress. It is not put in case of severe intoxication and high temperature, if a person suffers from oncology and tuberculosis, skin diseases in the acute stage (furunculosis, abscesses, psoriasis), with decompensated heart diseases, with purulent forms of tonsillitis and otitis media.
Pregnant women and children should not be treated with vodka compress
A dressing of 40% alcohol belongs to warming and helps to relieve swelling and soreness, resorb inflammation, improve local blood circulation, and remove toxins from the skin and adipose tissue.
Bandage application:
- heat an alcoholic drink to room temperature;
- moisten a cloth and put on a throat;
- put cling film or compress paper in the second layer, which should be 2 cm larger than the first layer;
- the third layer is insulation. As a heater, you can take cotton wool, a soft warm scarf, a soft terry towel;
- tightly, but not tightly, fix the compress on the throat with a thin handkerchief or bandage. Keep for at least 3 hours, maximum 8 hours. It is good to do such a bandage at night. After the procedure, wrap your throat warmly, do not go outside.
If the skin under the bandage begins to bake, burn, itch, then everything needs to be removed, and the skin should be wiped with alcohol diluted with water 1: 3.
Folk recipes
- If you feel hypothermia, weakness, fatigue, you need to rub yourself with vodka at night, put on warm socks and wrap yourself in a warm blanket. Rubbing can be done at temperature, but not rubbing.
- Some people are helped by a hot drink with hot peppers. This is explained by the fact that pepper dilates blood vessels, strengthens the immune system due to the content of a large amount of vitamin C, improves overall well-being, and has an antiseptic effect.
- chew a piece of pepper, drink 30ml of alcohol;
- add a teaspoon of free-flowing red pepper to a glass of alcohol, drink;
- use ground black pepper instead of red pepper.
You can not use these recipes for children, pregnant women, weakened elderly people, patients with chronic diseases of the digestive tract and cardiovascular system, intolerance.
- 30 ml of vodka, a teaspoon of radish juice, take before bed.
- Vodka, honey 1: 1.
- Dilute the alcoholic drink with water 1: 3, gargle.
Throat treatment with vodka for colds is just as serious as treatment with medications. Everyone decides whether to use this therapy or not. The main thing is not to forget about contraindications and the need to consult with your doctor.
