Common Cold Treatment

Most of us will suffer from a few episodes of the common cold each year. A recent article by Lesley Alderman touches on what you can do to relief cold symptoms. Excerpts of the article are reproduced below:

[THERE is still no cure for the common cold, but that hasn’t stopped consumers from spending billions of dollars every year on vitamins, medicines and doctor visits. (I admit I do, too, from time to time.)]

[If you’re suffering but also trying to be a smart spender, read on for advice. Some of the best treatments, it turns out, will not cost you much at all.]

[Also, make sure you get enough rest, stay well hydrated and exercise moderately, all of which can help strengthen your system, said Dr. Schaffner, who is also an infectious disease specialist. Finally, wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.]

[Now on to a discussion of what you may want to avoid or use in moderation to treat your symptoms.

DOCTOR VISITS Most healthy people do not need to see a doctor for a cold or flu. But if you have a fever for more than three days, a cough that produces sputum, chest pain or difficulty breathing, call your doctor. These may be signs that an infection is developing complications, and your simple cold could turn into something more serious like pneumonia. If you’re not sure whether you need to see a doctor, call and ask to speak to an advice nurse or physician assistant, Dr. Lisa Bernstein, an associate professor in the Department of Medicine at Emory University, suggested. “A nurse can listen to your symptoms and figure out what care you need.”

ANTIBIOTICS You probably don’t need them. “Antibiotics have exactly no effect on the common cold,” Dr. Schaffner said. “That’s because viruses, which cause colds and flus, are uninfluenced by antibiotics.” Antibiotics attack only bacteria, and bacteria are rarely involved with respiratory infections.

Not only will the antibiotic be a waste of money, but it may also cause unpleasant side effects like diarrhea, a rash and possibly a yeast infection in women. Even more problematic, overuse of antibiotics leads to drug-resistant superbugs, which are difficult to cure.]

[If your cold or flu leads to a secondary bacterial infection, a course of antibiotics may then be necessary. Signs that you have such an infection include tenderness around your sinuses, reappearance of symptoms after your cold seemed to be abating and chest pain, said Dr. Shmuel Shoham, an infectious disease specialist at the Washington Hospital Center in the District of Columbia.]

[MULTISYMPTOM MEDICINES Cold medicines with multiple active ingredients like acetaminophen, a decongestant and an antihistamine have not been well studied. The reviews that have been done show they are no better than placebos in shortening the duration of colds, said Dr. Michael Brady, an infectious disease specialist and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

These medicines may help with some of your symptoms, but be sure to read the labels carefully. There is a risk when taking these medicines that you may end up taking more active ingredients than you really need.

This is particularly important in young children. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that over-the-counter cough and cold medications not be given to infants and children younger than 2 because of the risk of life-threatening side effects.

So, what does work? While few, if any, medicines can shorten the duration of a cold, some can help reduce the onerous symptoms of upper respiratory infections. Nasal sprays shrink swollen blood vessels and relieve stuffy noses, though the relief is temporary and you should not use spray for more than three days.

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can reduce fevers and body aches. Rinsing your nasal passages with a saline solution or breathing steam can help loosen mucous and increase nasal secretions, which can help to prevent a secondary sinus infection. Humidifiers and hot showers also help. Drinking warm liquids like tea has been shown to reduce a variety of cold and flu symptoms.]

It must be remembered that most sinus infections come after a common cold. The main cause of sinus infection is chronic nasal congestion. Once the nasal passages are blocked and the sinuses and nasal passages are not ventilated, bacteria will begin to multiply rapidly. This could lead to acute sinusitis.

Acute sinus infection symptoms include sinus pressure, sinus headache and sinus infection dizziness.

Maintaining good sinus health is the key to preventing sinus infections. Learn more about effective sinus headache remedies.

Allergies and Sinus Infection

A recent article by HealthDay reporter, Ed Edelson, indicates that allergens can worsen sinus infection. Excerpts from his article are reproduced as follows:


[MONDAY, Dec. 21 (HealthDay News) -- A new Dutch study provides solid proof that allergies can trigger the sinus problems that afflict millions of Americans.

When allergy-causing substances were dripped into the noses of people with chronic sinusitis, almost all of them developed significant sinus responses, such as inflammation, evident on X-ray and ultrasound images, according to a report in the December issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery by physicians at the Allergy Research Foundation in Breda, the Netherlands.]

[An estimated 30 million to 40 million Americans have chronic sinusitis, a swelling and inflammation of the maxillary sinuses located mid-face below the cheeks, said Dr. Michael Benninger, chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Head & Neck Institute. It's been known that a high percentage of them also have allergies, and the new study provides objective evidence of the link, he noted.

It's sometimes difficult to disentangle the two conditions, Josephson said. "Sometimes it's called an allergic sinus infection, sometimes an allergy," he said. "There can be sinus infection with accompanying allergy."]

[The study included 71 people with chronic sinusitis and 16 others who had nasal allergies without sinus disease. When allergy-provoking substances were dripped into the noses of those with sinusitis, 67 of them developed 104 nasal responses, with 89 responses showing significant changes in the sinuses. No significant sinus changes were seen in nasal tests of people without sinus disease or when nonallergic substances were dripped into the noses of people with sinus disease.

"What is interesting is that you see this response fairly quickly," Benninger said. "There is not just swelling in the nose, where the allergen is, but in the sinus as well as the nose."

The findings are directly applicable to clinical measures aimed at preventing and treating chronic sinusitis, Josephson and Benninger said.]

[Preventive measures aimed at allergies may be needed for a large percentage of people with sinusitis, Benninger said. Since response to allergens such as ragweed occurs quickly not only in the nose but also in the sinuses, "you can try treatment before exposure," he said. "Our response could be focusing on initiating treatment to prevent the allergic response."

Such treatment can include over-the-counter antihistamines or nasal sprays, Benninger said.]

It seems that people with chronic sinus infection often have some allergy issues. These could be airborne such as pollen, mold etc. Or the food that they consume could cause allergy symptoms.

One must always be aware of chronic nasal congestion, which is a significant sinus infection symptom. People who have clogged nose practically the whole day even if the are not sick run the risk of have chronic sinus infection.

There are various steps you could take in preventing sinus infection. The use of an indoor air purifier can greatly improve the environment for those who are susceptible to airborne allergens.

Another good way in maintaining optimum nasal health for everyone is through sinus irrigation with a neti pot. It is a very simple procedure but the benefits are immense. This is one of the proven and effective sinus infection home remedies.

Sinus Infection Misdiagnosed

Dr William S. Andereck, in his article, spoke about a misdiagnosed case of sinus infection. Excerpts of the article as follows:

[The phone rang at 3 in the morning. It was the emergency room. A fellow physician was calling.

"I want to tell you that we have found out what is wrong with your patient," Dr. Jones proudly proclaimed. He said she had arrived by ambulance at 10 the previous night after complaints of dizziness at a cocktail party. After determining that her blood alcohol level was low, the emergency room team considered the possibility of a heart attack and ordered a series of electrocardiograms and blood tests that ruled out that diagnosis.

There was no answer to what had caused her dizziness, which had subsided by then. The patient also reported that in the past week she had experienced discomfort in her face, just below the left eye. Additionally, she had had a skin cancer removed from her nose five years earlier. Faced with the possibility that she could be suffering from an extensive tumor, Dr. Jones ordered a CT scan of the head and sinuses. He had found the answer, and now he was calling me to see how I wished to proceed.

The patient was suffering from a sinus infection.

I listened patiently, clearing my head from sleep as Dr. Jones recounted his case. When he finished, I thought to myself that he should apologize to the patient for spending $10,000 to make a diagnosis that could have been made in a doctor's office in 10 minutes. ]

It is indeed appalling to realize the high cost of medical investigations today. What is even worse is the misdiagnosis of something like sinus infection that is not really life-threatening leading to the patient having to fork money that is totally unecessary.

Sometimes, it is better for us to understand more about the ailments that plague us so that there is a lesser chance of the doctors misdiagnosing.

Sinus infection dizziness normally affects older people.

Learn more about sinus infection symptoms and sinus infection treatment at Sinus Infection Help.

A sinus infection or just a common cold?

Sinus infections usually go untreated until it becomes acute. This is because many people cannot distinguish sinus infection symptoms from those of a common cold.

A recent article provides some insight into this issue. Excerpts are as follows:

[The common cold, also known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection, is a self-limited contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses. More than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause the common cold. Because so many different viruses can cause a cold and because new cold viruses constantly develop, the body never builds up resistance against all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. In fact, children in preschool and elementary school can have three to 12 colds per year while adolescents and adults typically have two to four colds per year. The common cold is the most frequently occurring illness in the world, and it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.

What are the symptoms of the common cold?

Symptoms of the common cold include nasal stuffiness or drainage, sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, hoarseness, cough, and perhaps a fever and headache. Many people with a cold feel tired and achy. These symptoms will typically last anywhere from three to 10 days.]

[What is the treatment for the common cold?

There is no cure for the common cold. Home treatment is directed at alleviating the symptoms associated with the common cold and allowing this self-limiting illness to run its course.

Supportive measures for the common cold include rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medications such as throat lozenges, throat sprays, cough drops, and cough syrups may also help bring relief. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or antihistamines may be used for nasal symptoms. Saline sprays and a humidifier may also be beneficial.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) and ibuprofen (Advil and others) can help with fever, sore throat, and body aches.]

[Are antibiotics a suitable treatment for the common cold?

No. Antibiotics play no role in treating the common cold. Antibiotics are effective only against illnesses caused by bacteria, and colds are caused by viruses. Not only do antibiotics not help, but they can also cause allergic reactions that can be fatal (1:40,000). Furthermore, using antibiotics when they are not necessary has led to the growth of several strains of common bacteria that have become resistant to certain antibiotics (including one that commonly causes ear infections in children). For these and other reasons, it is important to limit the use of antibiotics to situations in which they are medically indicated.

Though occasionally a bacterial infection, such as sinusitis or a middle ear infection, can develop following a cold, treatment with antibiotics should be left at the discretion of your physician or health-care practitioner.

When should a doctor or other health-care practitioner be consulted?

Generally speaking, the common cold can be treated at home and managed with over-the-counter medications. However, if you develop more severe symptoms such as shaking chills, high fever (greater than 102 F), severe headache or neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing or chest pain, you should consult your physician or health-care practitioner immediately.

If you have a sore throat and a fever with no other cold symptoms, you should also be seen by your physician. This illness may be strep throat, a bacterial infection requiring treatment with antibiotics.

Finally, if you notice facial pain or yellow/green drainage from your nose accompanied by a fever, it is possible that you have a sinus infection (sinusitis) that would benefit from a medical evaluation and a possible course of antibiotics.]

Some of the sinus infection symptoms that is largely different from the common cold include sinus headache, pain in the upper molars due to a maxillary sinus infection, sinus infection dizziness and sinus pain in the areas of the infected sinus.

Perhaps the symptom that causes the most pain is a sinus headache and many people are searching for effective sinus headache remedies instead of resorting to drugs.

Tumeric and ginger for sinus infection

A recent article by Kelli Mae Willis gives us an insight of what Tumeric and ginger can do for our body. Excerpts are as follows:

[ Turmeric is a warming herb that relieves inflammation in the body. Many

of the foods that are central to the American diet, such as grains,

bread, and conventional animal fats, can contribute to excess

inflammation in the body. Inflammatory illnesses include allergies,

arthritis, asthma, and skin rashes such as eczema and psoriasis. Though

each of these ailments have very different symptoms, they are all

results of a similar imbalance in the body.

Turmeric is one of the best anti-inflammatory herbs, and doesn’t need

to be taken as a pill or tincture to be effective. Simply cooking

regularly with turmeric can help balance these problems.
Turmeric can also be taken in larger doses by drinking a teaspoon in

water 1-3 times a day. As a digestive aid, add turmeric to apple cider

vinegar, water, and honey to taste. The warming properties of turmeric

will increase “digestive fire.”

I have had great success with using turmeric during sinus infection as

well. If you have a sore throat, gargle with warm water and salt, apple

cider vinegar, turmeric, or cayenne powder. In India, I was instructed

to breathe in the steam from toasted turmeric powder to relieve sinus

pressure and congestion. I usually use turmeric powder rather than the

fresh root as it is more widely available and stronger medicinally.

Ginger is known in Chinese medicine as a panacea – an herb with

hundreds of applications. The easiest place to bring ginger into your

kitchen is in tea. Chop up about ½-1” of fresh ginger root into slices

and simmer in enough water for a cup of tea for 10-15 minutes. This

process is known as decocting an herb, and is commonly used to extract

denser plant parts like roots and bark.

Ginger tea is a remedy for many ailments, but especially stomachaches.

We are more familiar with ginger ale to relieve stomach sickness, but

ginger tea can be even more soothing. It acts as a digestive aid, adds

heat to the digestive fire, and also helps to dispel gas in the belly.]

Is it a cold or sinus infection?

As most people cannot tell between a cold or a sinus infection, this article by Jennifer Neff explains the difference between the two conditions. Excerpts of the article are reproduced as follows:

[ Susan Carol battled year-round sinus infections and colds for decades. She tried antibiotics and over-the-counter medicines to feel better, with mixed results.

"For years, I was confused about whether it was a cold or sinus infection," Carol said. "I just couldn't get better."

After a series of terrible sinus infections during the winter of 2008, the 54-year-old Fredericksburg native said she was referred to an allergist, who diagnosed a dust mite allergy.

Turns out that the sinus problems Carol experienced weren't just run-of-the mill colds. Allergies often play a big role in people's sinus woes.

Many people deal with irritated, inflamed sinuses by trying things such as over-the-counter nasal sprays, nasal rinses or antibiotics.

But it's important to distinguish between sinus infections--which may require antibiotic treatment--and other problems such as allergies or nasal polyps that call for different treatment.

INFECTED SINUSES

A sinus infection--known as sinusitis--occurs when the air-filled cavities, or sinuses, become inflamed or swollen.

Drainage becomes difficult, and mucus begins to build up, leading to sinus pressure and headaches.

Other symptoms of a sinus infection include:

Coughing

Aching in the upper jaw and teeth

Pressure around the eyes and nose.

But these symptoms also are associated with colds, which can make it hard to distinguish between the common cold and a sinus infection.

The main factor in determining whether a sinus infection is present is time. A good rule of thumb comes from Dr. Andrew Kim of the Allergy & Asthma Center of Fredericksburg:

If symptoms last less than seven days, the likely culprit is a cold caused by a virus, and antibiotics are not needed.

If symptoms last longer than seven days or get worse, the sufferer most likely has a bacterial infection or acute rhinosinusitis and will likely need antibiotic treatment.

Acute rhinosinusitis is a sinus infection that lingers for up to four weeks, Kim said. Treatment varies by person but may include a round of antibiotics, nasal rinses and decongestants.

If symptoms don't disappear after treatment, or if they rebound, then the problem may be chronic rhinosinusitis. Chronic rhinosinusitis lasts 12 weeks or more or is recurrent, according to Kim.

"Chronic sinusitis is usually caused by underlying conditions," Kim said.

Allergies, asthma, immune deficiencies, smoking and facial trauma all are closely associated with chronic sinusitis. So are anatomical obstructions such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps.

In rare instances, chronic sinusitis is caused by fungal infections, in which anti-fungal medicine is prescribed.

THE ALLERGY FACTOR

People with allergies are most likely to have chronic sinusitis, Kim said, so relieving their stuffy noses and facial pain means treating their underlying problem.

"Treatment of allergies definitely reduces sinusitis," Kim said.

Treatment ranges from over-the-counter medicines to allergy shots to, in some cases, surgery. People like Carol, with dust mite allergies, are encouraged to buy protective covers for their beds and pillows--dust mites are often found in bedding.

While over-the-counter medicines and decongestants are the most popular form of treatment for allergies, they come with a warning.

"If used chronically, symp-toms can become worse," Kim said.

Decongestants used for more than just a few days can cause symptoms to rebound and even become worse.

Allergy shots, which are less common, have more lasting effects than other medicines, studies say. According to one study reported in the Annuals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in 2004, 99 percent of 114 participants reported they thought their shots worked. Days off from school or work dropped by 72 percent.

Allergy shots not only help reduce allergy symptoms but also can help prevent asthma problems, as sinus troubles can cause asthma flare-ups.

For Carol, who long suffered from sinus problems, shots have helped. She said she started getting them a year ago.

"Even though I have the expense of the shots, it's more cost efficient," Carol said. "I'm going to the doctors less and now taking shots less. I just feel like I'm cured."

HOME REMEDIES

Though patients with sinus problems often are desperate for a pill to cure them, Kim cautions against the use of antibiotics.

"Most of the time you don't need antibiotics," Kim said.

Antibiotics have their place in the treatment of sinus infections, but overuse can breed antibiotic-resistant germs.

"It's not good to get antibiotics so frequently," Kim said. "We need to be more judicious about antibiotics."

Instead, Kim suggests first using home remedies such as nasal washes, neti pots and medicines containing Guaifenesin, and drinking plenty of water. Kim also suggests over-the-counter oral and nasal decongestants, but for only three days.

If problems persist, Kim recommends seeing an allergist for allergy testing, or an ear, nose and throat specialist to check for nasal polyps or a deviated septum.]

Reduce sinus infection risks by consuming more fruits and vegetables

A recent news article by David Liu reflects the importance of having more greens and fruits in our daily diet. Excerpts of the article as follows:

[ Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine researchers (BUSM)

found that eating at least seven servings of fruit and vegetables daily

moderately reduced the risk of an upper respiratory tract infection or

URTI.

The study of more than 1,000 pregnant women published in the journal

Public Health Nutrition showed that those who ate the most fruit and

vegetables were 26 percent less likely to have URTI than those who ate

the least amount.

But eating fruit or vegetables alone was not associated with reducing

the five-month risk of URTI. Women who were in the highest quartile of

fruit and vegetable intake were at reduced three-month risk than the

five month risk of URTI.

URTIs are the common cold and sinus infections that can lead to lower

respiratory conditions such as asthma or pneumonia. The majority of

affected people recovered without medical intervention.

Eating fruits and vegetables are known to boost immunity, but it has

not been known that eating fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of

URTI in pregnant women.

It's recommended that pregnant women should consume at least five

servings of fruit and vegetables each day. But the current study

suggests that only as higher levels of consumption of fruit and

vegetables as 6.7 servings ]

Do you know that a sinus headache is the most uncomfortable of all sinus infection symptoms?

Learn about these proven sinus headache remedies at Sinus Infection Help.