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32 WWW. UNWLA.ORG “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЖОВТЕНЬ 2014 THE COMMON COLD — WHAT CAN YOU DO? by Ihor Magun, MD, FACP It starts with that feeling of generally b e- ing unwell, which ultimately each of us dreads putting into words that sound so inevitable, “ I think I am coming down with a cold .” No one wants to have one: it seems to last forever, not h- ing works fast enough, and medications usually taken frequently produce more side effects than relief. So what is the common cold? It is actually a virus — medically known as rhinovirus; in fact, there are over two hundred types of cold viruses . Since there are so many of them and they evolve rapidly, achieving immunity to one in no way protects against another cold infection. Cold viruses are spread primarily by droplets in the air, or through direct contact with objects that have been contaminated with the v i- rus. We inoculate ourselves by touching our eyes, nose or mouth after coming in contact with th is virus . The first signs of a cold are a myriad of symptoms which may include any or all of the fol- lowing: sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, a sore or scratchy throat, cough and possibly a low- grade fever. Common colds do not cause high fever, chills, or severe headaches, which are us u- ally symptoms of influenza. Many individuals have searched for alte r- native, non-medicinal treatment methods to help either boost the immune system in order to pr e- vent the cold in the first place, or to help alleviate some of the symptoms and minimize the duration of the condition. In a recent medical study, the efficacy of zinc in reducing the incidence, severity, and dur a- tion of the common cold was reviewed. Although the study found no benefit to taking zinc for the prevention of a cold or the alleviation of its sym p- toms, it did show a statistically significant de- crease in the duration of the cold in patients who took 75 mg of zinc per day. (Higher doses were not recommended as they can cause abdominal pain and gastrointestinal issues.) Lozenges were found to be the best method of ingestion. Besides zinc, elderberry syrup has been found to decrease mucus production as well as have some anti-inflammatory and anti-viral e f- fects. Elderberry is a fruit used for making wine and food flavoring. Taking this syrup reduces the time the cold lasts — but only if taken within 24-48 hours of symptom presentation. Finally, in a study conducted at Oregon State University, two immune-boosting agents — blueberries and red grapes — were found to be of benefit . Blueberries contain pterostilbene and red grapes contain resveratrol, both of which are helpful in fending off colds. What about chicken soup? Someone did attempt to challenge that old wives ’ tale at the University of Nebraska. The study show ed that eating chicken soup reduced the activity of ne u- trophils, the white blood cells that protect the body against bacteria. The ultimate payoff is a lessening of activity in the upper respiratory tract which in turn helps decrease a cold's sym p- toms. The exact reason for this effect is not known, but it was theorized that multiple ingredi- ents worked together to produce such an effect. And what about the myth that going ou t- side with wet hair will cause a cold? I assume that you know the answer to this question based on all the information given above. Going outside with wet hair on a cold day is never a good idea, but it certainly will not have you catch a cold. What if, despite your best efforts at pre- vention, you do come down with a cold? First and foremost, be courteous to ever y- one by containing your infectivity. Wash your hands often and thoroughly. The duration of hand washing should be about two verses of “ Happy Birthday to Y ou .” Regular soap and water are fine, and antibacterial wipes, sprays, and soap are all acceptable. Keep your hands away from your eyes , nose and mouth, unless you have washed them well, and always cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze to help prevent the spread of airborne droplets . Use remedies, such as saline nasal sprays, and medication to target your most annoying cold symptoms, but remember that antibiotics are of no use. Also, try not to use those multi-symptom relief medications, unless you have all of the symptoms listed on them. Otherwise you will be ingesting unnecessary chemical substances. In addition, remember to get your infl u- enza vaccination yearly. While it is not for the common cold, it will protect you from contracting a similarly lengthy and unpleasant illness and fu r- ther weakening your immune system. Finally, with good rest, good exercise, and good nutrition, I know that you will be ready to ward off any cold!
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