The Common Cold/Sore Throat
Also indexed as :
Pharyngitis, Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
Newsletter #1 -
January 2009
What is a common cold?
The common cold is an acute (short-term) viral infection of the upper
respiratory tract. Colds can be spread through the air, such as when a
person sneezes or coughs, or by contact with contaminated objects.
What are the symptoms of the common cold?
The common cold often causes runny nose, sore throat, and malaise. Sore
throat is sometimes a symptom of a more serious condition distinct from
the common cold (such as strep throat), which may require medical
diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antibiotics.
Conventional treatment options
- A warm humid environment increases comfort during the
common cold.
- For people with severe symptoms, rest is
recommended.
- Nasal decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine)
may
provide temporary relief, but rebound congestion often occurs.
- Drinking plenty of fluids is important to maintain
hydration and fluidity of secretions.
- If cough is severe or painful, cough suppressants (e.g.,
dextromethorphan) may be recommended. Otherwise, expectoration of
sputum is considered a valuable defense mechanism and should not be
suppressed.
Key nutritional supplements
- Vitamin
C
: A review of 21 placebo-controlled studies using 1–8 grams
of
vitamin C per day found that “in each of the 21 studies,
vitamin
C reduced the duration of episodes and the severity of the symptoms of
the common cold by an average of 23%.” The optimal amount of
vitamin C to take for cold treatment remains in debate, but many
healthcare practitioners recommend 1–3 grams per day.
- Zinc
: (zinc gluconate or zinc gluconate-glycine lozenges containing
13–23 mg of zinc per lozenge; up to ten lozenges per day can
be
taken for several days during the cold) Zinc lozenges have been helpful
for adult cold sufferers, but results in children have been negative.
Zinc lozenges are not to be taken long term, but rather only at the
onset of a cold, and should be stopped when symptoms have disappeared.
Other nutritional supplements that may be helpful
- Zinc
(as nasal spray):
Zinc nasal sprays may be even more effective than zinc lozenges at
speeding the resolution of cold symptoms. A double-blind trial showed a
74% reduction in symptom duration in people using a zinc nasal spray
four times daily.
Key herbs
- Echinacea
(Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea, E. pallida) : The fresh pressed
juice of the flowers of echinacea (E. purpurea) preserved with alcohol
and tinctures of root of echinacea (E. pallida) have been shown to
reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of the common cold in
double-blind studies. Research indicates that regular use of echinacea
to prevent colds does not work. Therefore, it is currently recommended
to limit use of echinacea to the onset and duration of a cold and to
use it for no more than 10 to 14 days consecutively.
- Andrographis
(for symptoms)*: Andrographis contains bitter constituents that are
believed to have immune-stimulating and anti-inflammatory actions.
Several double-blind trials have found that andrographis may help
reduce symptom severity in people with common colds.
Other herbs that may be helpful
- Immune-stimulating : Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng),
astragalus
(Astragalus membranaceus), boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), echinacea
(Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea, E. pallida), goldenseal
(Hydrastis canadensis), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), linden ( Tilia
spp.), schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), Siberian ginseng
(Eleutherococcus senticosus), wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria)
- Diaphoretic (promote sweating): Boneset, elder flower,
hyssop, linden, yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Antiviral (test tube studies only): Barberry (Berberis
vulgaris),
elderberry (Sambucus nigra), goldenseal , goldthread, horseradish
(Cochlearia armoracia), myrrh (Commiphora molmol), Oregon grape
(Berberis aquifolium), usnea (Usnea barbata), wild indigo
Symptom-relieving :
- Astringent
(soothe sore throat): blackberry (Rubus fructicosus), blueberry (
Vaccinium spp.), red raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
- Mucilage
(soothe sore throat): marshmallow (Althea officinalis), mullein
(Verbascum thapsus), red raspberry
- Reduce
nasal stuffiness: eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus),
peppermint (Mentha piperita)
- Relieve
achiness: meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
- Miscellaneous
sore throat relief: sage (Salvia officinalis), yarrow
Note : These actions have
not
necessarily been proven in studies in humans and are intended only to
clarify distinctions among herbs, not to give recommendations for use.
Consult with your healthcare practitioner. With the exception of
echinacea, elderberry, and linden, use of these herbs is traditional
and not generally validated by scientific research.
Dietary changes that may be helpful
Sugar,
dietary fat, and alcohol :
Sugar, dietary fat, and alcohol have been reported to affect the immune
system adversely, though no specific information is yet available on
how much these foods may actually affect the course of the common cold.
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