Is it possible to have cold in your back

Certain medications help relieve symptoms by narrowing blood vessels and reducing blood flow. If you have high blood pressure, this may affect blood flow throughout your body. Overuse and side effects from cold medicines may cause serious problems for younger children. Learn more about the medications used to treat the common cold ». Recognizing symptoms of a cold is often all you need in order to diagnose yourself.

You may actually be showing symptoms of a different problem, such as the flu or strep throat. If you have a cold, you can expect the virus to work its way out in about a week to 10 days. The only way to definitively know if your symptoms are the result of a cold or the flu is to have your doctor run a series of tests.

Learn more about diagnosing a cold ». The common cold is a viral infection in your upper respiratory tract. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics. In most cases, viruses like the cold just need to run their course. The average common cold lasts anywhere from seven to 10 days. Depending on your overall health, you may have symptoms for more or less time. For example, people who smoke or have asthma may experience symptoms longer. If your symptoms do not ease or disappear in seven to 10 days, you should make an appointment to see your doctor.

Therefore, it needs more energy. Energy comes from food. It makes sense, then, that you need to feed a cold so your body can have enough energy to help kick the virus as quickly as possible. You may be tempted to skip meals, however, because a cold can impair your sense of taste.

But make sure you keep eating so your body has enough energy. A faster metabolism burns more calories. The higher your fever climbs, the more energy your body needs. You just need to eat normally so your body gets plenty of energy to fight the bugs. The following foods may be extra helpful for your cold recovery:. Warm liquids are good for helping open up your sinuses so you can breathe more easily, and the salt from the soup can ease irritated throat tissue.

Warm drinks like tea are great for colds. Add honey for a cough-busting boost. Slices of ginger can also reduce inflammation and ease congestion. Caffeine can interfere with medicines, and it may increase your risk of dehydration. Yogurts contain billions of healthy bacteria that can boost your gut health.

Having a healthy microbiome in your gut can help your body fight any number of illnesses and conditions, including a cold. Like hot tea, popsicles may help numb and ease the pain of a sore throat.

The most important thing to remember when you have a cold is to stay hydrated. Drink water or warm tea regularly. The fall and winter months are chock-full of back-intensive activities including raking leaves, shoveling snow, skiing, chopping wood and much more.

People who have undergone a spinal fusion or had metal implants placed in their spine commonly complain of pain during the colder months of the year. This occurs because metal loses heat more quickly than natural tissue and, if it does, the nerves surrounding the device can get cold as a result and cause pain. While most interbody devices are not supposed to conduct heat or get cold, the simple fact of the matter is that these items are not made of living tissue and therefore react differently to changing temperatures.

These implants have no method of regulating their temperature, like most of the natural structures in our body, and are dependent solely on outside forces. For example, have you ever touched a metal pole during the winter time? Have you noticed how much colder it is than your body? Now what would happen if you wrapped your hand around that pole and left it there for a really long time?

The same concept applies to implants. If you allow the metal to get cold, it can be difficult to warm it back up again and it will likely start lowering the temperature of the tissue and nerves surrounding it which can cause anything from mild to severe back pain. People whose device is simply covered by skin or a thin layer of soft tissue are much more likely to experience aching and pain when they allow it to get cold.

Nevertheless, anyone with a metal interbody devices should take extra steps during the fall and winter to make sure they keep the location of the implants warm. In your home, keep the heat turned up and consider using an electric blanket to keep your muscles from tightening during the cooler night hours. Traumatic falls are one of the easiest ways to usher in a serious, painful spinal condition like a herniated disc or fractured vertebrae.

If you struggle with seasonal depression or simply want to ward off back pain when the temperature drops, you need to be working out your body consistently 6. While it may be difficult to continue doing the activities you once enjoyed during the summer months, you can still enjoy the benefits of low-impact, inflammation-fighting exercise while not exposing yourself to the bitter elements.

Swimming remains one of the best forms of low-impact exercises for your back. Water provides buoyancy, which helps support your spine and take stress off your joints while providing a weight-free environment to strengthen many of the back muscles that support the spine.

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Head cold vs. Overview The head cold, also known as the common cold, is usually a mild illness, but it can impact your daily life. Head cold symptoms. What causes a head cold? When should you see a doctor? Tips for prevention. Food Fix: Immune System Boost. Read this next. How to Clear a Stuffy Nose. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Best Steam Inhalers of Steam inhalers are used as personal saunas for skin care or supporting respiratory health.

Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M. How to Treat Postnasal Drip at Home. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Apple Cider Vinegar for Colds. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Should I Exercise with a Cold? The takeaway from this is that winter back problems may be avoidable when you wear the right clothing to keep you warm, stretch your muscles regularly, stay active and employ basic fall prevention techniques when needed.

The Pain Management Center at Flushing Hospital is designed to diagnose and treat a vast array of chronic pain syndromes. For any questions about the services provided, please call All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.