Conditions

Common Cold

The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by one of the many contagious viruses that intrude through the nose, throat, sinuses or ears ­ where it settles in and multiplies, causing a multitude of problems.

Cold weather does not cause colds, although most colds are caught in the fall and winter.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Head congestion
• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Headache
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Low-grade fever (usually among children ­ rare in adults)

A typical common cold lasts between five to ten days.

Diagnosis:

Most colds can be treated successfully at home. However, if you develop a stuffy nose with a thick, greenish nasal discharge that won't go away, you should consult your doctor as it may be a sign of a chronic infection. Also, if you develop a fever that persists, or returns after three days, you may have developed a bacterial infection, such as an ear or sinus infection. By themselves, colds do not usually cause significant fever. If your cold does not clear up within a week, or if you develop a rash, you need to see a health care provider. The early symptoms of many serious conditions often resemble those of the common cold.

Treatment Options:

There are a variety of over-the-counter medicines and home remedies that can give some measure of relief.

Traditional Treatments:

• Unless you develop another infection of some sort, you should not take antibiotics. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, not viral infections, such as the common cold. Also, antibiotics can destroy the good bacteria in your body that is needed to help fight off the viruses that cause colds.
• Painkillers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen help to bring down fever and relieve the aches and pains.
• Decongestants, such as oxymetazoline (Dristan), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine), phenylpropanolamine (Congespirin, Triaminic), and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), help decrease swelling and inflammation in the nasal cavity.
• Some people use antihistamines, such as brompheniramine (Dimetane), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to help dry up secretions in the respiratory tract. However, they have not been shown to be effective for the relief of cold symptoms. They are designed to counteract allergic responses, not viruses.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

Home remedies and herbal preparations offer the same relief as over-the-counter medications with fewer side effects. Nutritional supplements help the body to fight off illness naturally and can often stop a cold from developing.

Nutritional Supplementation:

• The amino acid lysine has antiviral properties. Take 500 mg of L-lysine three to four times, daily for up to one week.
• Pantothenic acid supports adrenal function, which is often compromised when you have a cold. It also helps with nasal congestion and fatigue. Take 250 mg three times daily for up to one week.
• Thymus glandular extract can boost the immune system by increasing the number and activity of infection-fighting white blood cells. Take 250 to 500 mg, twice a day.
• Vitamin C and the bioflavonoids have anti-inflammatory properties and help to ease the course of a cold. Take 500 to 1,000 mg of each every hour for up to eight hours at the first sign of a cold. After the first eight hours, take 1,000 mg of vitamin C and an equal amount of bioflavonoids three times daily for three days.
• Vitamin A helps heal inflamed mucous membranes and strengthens the immune system. Take 15,000 IU daily. Warning: Do not exceed 10,000 IU (per a day) of supplementary vitamin A if you are pregnant.
• Zinc lozenges boost the immune system and soothe your throat. Take 5 to 10 mg of zinc in lozenge form every two to three hours, up to a total of 50 mg daily, for three days.

Alternative Therapies:

• Echinacea and goldenseal both stimulate the immune system. Echinacea is antibacterial and antiviral; goldenseal is an antibacterial noted for healing irritated mucous membranes. Take one dose of echinacea and goldenseal combination formula supplying 250 to 500 mg of echinacea and 150 to 300 mg of goldenseal three times a day for five days to one week.
• Yin Qiao is a Chinese botanical formula that is best taken at the very first sign of a cold and continued for the first forty-eight hours.
• Take three tablets three times a day during the acute phase of the cold. After the symptoms start to ease, reduce the dosage to onetablet three times daily for one week.
• Aloe vera has both anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties. Take _ cup of aloe vera juice three times daily.
• Boneset and sage help to break up congestion and bring down a fever.
• Elderberry may help reduce the severity of a cold.
• Garlic has antibacterial properties.
• Rub tiger balm on chest and neck to help relieve congestion.
• Wild cherry bark soothes a cough.

General Recommendations:

• Sip hot liquids such as turkey or chicken broth daily.
• Remain as active as possible to prevent the cold from settling in your chest.
• Consider homeopathic remedies for cold symptoms. Calcarea carbonica, Anas barbariae, and Ferrum phophoricum are good preparations for many cold symptoms. Consult your local homeopathic practitioner for more information.
• Wash your hands often.

Warnings:

• Do not give aspirin, or any product containing aspirin, to a child with symptoms of any viral infection, including a cold.
• Do not exceed 10,000 IU (per a day) of supplementary vitamin A if you are pregnant.
• If at any time during the course of a cold you experience symptoms of respiratory distress, such as rapid breathing, gasping, wheezing, nasal flaring, or a pale/bluish skin color, consult your physician promptly.