How to get through a cold with my digestion intact.

March 26, 2015 7:21 AM

I had a cold 10 days ago which left me pretty bunged up and snotty for a few days. The trouble (and this is gross, apologies) is that it's taken my digestion the whole of the last 10 days to get back into action after the amount of phlegm that dripped its way down my throat ruined my appetite and turned my entire gut into a huge tunnel of mucus. How can I avoid this (special dietary needs inside, too)?

I'm looking for foods that cut through the mucus, so I guess chicken soup's a good starter. But I can't eat onions (or garlic or leeks), dairy or gluten, and fibre doesn't do me any good either. I belatedly tried miso soup, and that was a fairly big help, as was drinking fluid in general.

But I'd like any other tips, including on whether it's possible to meaningfully reduce the amount of phlegm that gets swallowed and whether there are any drugs or nasal sprays that might help. I get this every time I have a cold. My digestion's fragile (Crohn's and cœliac disease have conspired to give me a pretty poor selection of foods I can reliably digest at the best of times). Loose stools, nausea and loss of appetite are the main symptoms I want to alleviate.

posted by ambrosen to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

But I'd like any other tips, including on whether it's possible to meaningfully reduce the amount of phlegm that gets swallowed and whether there are any drugs or nasal sprays that might help.

A neti pot or saline irrigation bottle (NeilMed is the main brand) may help reduce how much mucus you swallow by flushing it out first. However, given the rate of nasal mucus production during a cold vs. how often you're supposed to use them, I suspect it's not going to be a huge difference in total swallowed mucus volume. The primary benefit will be clearer sinuses.

Nasal steroids can reduce inflammation in your nasal passages, and are available over the counter, at least in the US. However, I am not sure if they are currently recommended for colds, or just for allergies (Googling suggests that the jury is out on this).

Beyond that -- it sounds like you have something else going on here in addition to the cold/phlegm or something else going on because of the cold/phlegm/inflammation. Given that you have Crohn's and celiac, this really sounds like something to talk to a medical professional about. Do you keep a food and symptoms log? Can you ask your GI/rheum/GP for a referral to a nutritionist or dietician who could help you with this?
posted by pie ninja at 8:00 AM on March 26, 2015

I suspect it's actually the changes in what you eat while sick, including the quantity and quality, that are causing your lingering digestive symptoms. That is in addition to any extra inflammatory response you may have due to chronic issues. I think this because everyone is always swallowing lots of mucus... it's just usually dilute.

People tend to lose their appetites when they have a cold because their sense of smell is impaired. Dehydration also contributes to appetite loss. Hot soups and beverages address both of these issues and will help.

Bulking up the hot dishes with solid foods may help even more. For example, you can make your own chicken stock by boiling chicken. You can put gluten free miso paste in the chicken stock to add some flavor. You can add tofu, chicken, and any vegetables you can eat to increase the nutritional value. Try to take all the things you normally eat and work them into a hot dish. Hot white rice, if you can have that, also makes a good base for nice comforting food.
posted by zennie at 8:31 AM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: My daughter has to eat a modified low-FODMAP diet because of fructose malabsorption, and we have definitely seen similar digestive situations after illnesses. In her case, because her main problems are with fermentable carbohydrates, I pull her back to just meat and white rice for two or three days. Like chicken thighs seasoned with salt and a green herb like rosemary or thyme and sauteed or broiled, plus white rice. That gives her gut a chance to get over itself and start working normally again. I don't know if that would be similarly helpful for Crohn's / UC -- my understanding is that while the dietary management may be similar to FM, the underlying conditions are extremely different.

As for not swallowing so much phlegm, nasal irrigation is your friend. You can't really overdo it -- well, you can, but even if you do, the consequences aren't particularly dire. When I have a bad cold I rinse my nose out 5-6 times a day.
posted by KathrynT at 9:08 AM on March 26, 2015

Best answer: I belatedly tried miso soup, and that was a fairly big help, as was drinking fluid in general

Along these lines, I recommend ginger tea, peppermint tea, and whichever appeals to you more: turmeric tea or turmeric in coconut milk.
posted by Bentobox Humperdinck at 10:29 AM on March 26, 2015

Best treatment is prevention. Evaluate the thoroughness of your hand hygiene. Carry hand sanitizer with you always and use it before eating or touching your face. Change clothing as soon as you arrive home, take your shoes off at the door, and never sit on your bed in clothing you've worn outside. I work in a hospital and have IBD and becoming more vigilant about all of these things has made a tremendous difference in how often I get sick (and my quality of life).
posted by telegraph at 2:01 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]