Preventing the Common Cold and Practicing Good Health Habits

Preventing the Common Cold and Practicing Good Health Habits

Preventing the common cold is a matter of practicing good health habits and maintaining a healthy immune system. What is often referred to as the common cold virus is actually a number of different viruses that can cause symptoms when they infect the lining of the nose. So, habits that protect the body from all forms of viruses and bacterial infections can help protect you from a common cold virus.

In the United States the season in which the most cases of common cold are reported runs from early fall to late spring, but the viruses that can cause a cold are present throughout the year. They appear to be more active when humidity is lower, which may explain why there are more colds during "cold" weather. Another factor that may cause an increase in colds during the winter months is that many people are indoors, where the virus can be spread more easily. But, anyone can contract a common cold virus any time of the year.

Good health habits, which can be practiced year round for preventing the common cold and other communicable diseases, include washing the hands before touching the face. Rhino virus, the common cold virus that scientists know the most about, can live up to three hours on the skin and on surfaces, such as sinks, stair rails and telephones. Whenever you are in a public place, you run the risk of touching something that someone with a common cold virus has touched.

You may be able to reduce your risk of contracting a virus if you avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth when you are in a public place, and until you can wash your hands. Washing with soap and water kills the rhino virus. If soap and water is unavailable, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an alcohol based hand washing product. Remember that anti-bacterial products may only kill bacteria and not viruses.

Some people are more likely to be exposed to a common cold virus, than others and these groups should be particularly concerned about preventing the common cold. While the common cold is not a serious medical condition, it can lead to bacterial infection of the ears, sinuses or throat. Children in daycare or school environments are exposed to more viruses and can have as many as 12 cold per year, according to information provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Women between the ages of 20 and 30 have more colds than men, presumably because of their close contact with children, but there is no indication that men have more resistance to a common cold virus than women. So, men who are in close contact with their school age children should be just as concerned about preventing the common cold as women. Not only to protect themselves, but to avoid spreading the infection to other family members and the general public. If you do have a cold, you should avoid direct contact with other people and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

Those who work in hospitals or doctor's offices are at higher risk for contracting a cold virus, for obvious reasons. Even though a doctor's visit is not necessary for treating a common cold, it is still one of the leading causes of doctor visits in the United States and results in 22 million lost school days per year, according to the CDC. Estimates concerning lost days of work vary.

The number of colds per year experienced by adults varies widely, possibly because of attention paid to good health habits and other efforts for preventing the common cold. Stress, inadequate sleep and proper nutrition are all factors that could account for the difference in the number of colds experienced by individuals. Additionally, medical conditions and medications that a person is taking can affect proper immune system function. For example, research indicates that asthmatics, one group which is particularly susceptible to a common cold virus, produce a lower than normal amount of anti-viral proteins. Anti-viral proteins are produced by cells of the immune system.

Research is still being conducted into the possibility of developing a vaccine for preventing the common cold, but it is doubtful that any vaccine could be effective against the over 200 viruses that can cause common cold symptoms. Thus, dietary supplements that support healthy immune system function may be your best insurance for preventing the common cold and complications that can arise from this viral infection.

Article Source: Health Guidance

Patsy Hamilton

Recurring Common Cold Symptoms Could Be Allergies

Recurring Common Cold Symptoms Could Be Allergies

Some people are troubled with recurring common cold symptoms or a large number of colds per year. During cold and flu season, typically from September to April, the grocery store aisles that contain the over the counter and some of the herbal remedies for common cold symptoms are crowded with people. You can become infected with a cold virus any time of the year, but it appears that most of the viruses that cause cold symptoms survive better when the humidity is lower. In most of the United States, those are the winter months.

According to information published by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), you can get relief from cold symptoms by resting in bed, drinking plenty of fluids, gargling with warm salt water, using throat sprays or lozenges for a scratchy or sore throat, using petroleum jelly for a raw nose and taking aspirin or acetaminophen for headache or fever. (Note: Aspirin and aspirin containing products should not be given to children, because of the link to Reye's syndrome, a rare illness that can be life threatening.) Additionally, the NIAID advises that frequently recurring common cold symptoms that last for much longer than two weeks may be an allergy, rather than an infection with a common cold virus.

Opinions vary on the effectiveness of over the counter and herbal remedies for common cold symptoms. Research often comes to contradictory conclusions. Antihistamines, cough suppressants and nasal decongestants are believed to be safe when used as directed, but can cause unwanted side effects, such as nervousness, dizziness, insomnia or drowsiness. Additionally, these products are not believed to shorten the duration of symptoms.

Some research has shown that zinc nasal gels or sprays can shorten the duration of common cold symptoms when taken during the early stages of a cold, but other research concluded that they were ineffective and may have caused the permanent loss of the sense of smell in some people. Zinc lozenges, tablets or dietary supplements are sometimes recommended to shorten the duration of symptoms and have no unwanted side effects when taken in appropriate dosages.

Vitamin C is not really one of the herbal remedies for common cold symptoms, but because it is a natural product, it is sometimes grouped with them. Many studies have been done concerning the effectiveness of vitamin C for recurring common cold symptoms, both as a preventative and a treatment. The conclusions of these studies have sometimes been contradictory, but it is known that available amounts of vitamin C circulating in the blood stream are quickly depleted during an infection. When taken in appropriate amounts, it can shorten the duration and severity of symptoms and has no unwanted side effects. Mega doses of vitamin C can cause diarrhea, so it is important to follow the supplement manufacturer's directions and reduce the dosage if diarrhea occurs.

Echinacea is one of the popular herbal remedies for common cold symptoms, but again research results do not always support its effectiveness or safety. Indian echinacea or andrographis paniculata is included in some herbal remedies for common cold prevention and has been shown to have very low toxicity in animals, even when used in large amounts. Curcumin or turmeric has been shown in studies to be a mild expectorant, while causing no unwanted side effects. Piperine, from black pepper, has been shown to enhance the beneficial effects of Curcumin.

Many vitamins, minerals, plant components and herbs work best when accompanied by others. This may be the reason that some research supports their use and others are inconclusive. Some of the best health supplement manufacturers take these facts into account when creating proprietary blends to be used for specific purposes, such as reducing recurring common cold infections.

Article Source: Health Guidance

Patsy Hamilton

Is the Common Cold Easy to Catch?

Is the Common Cold Easy to Catch?

Here we look at some frequently asked questions, such as "Is the common cold easy to catch?" and "What is the best common cold diet?" The news today said that the cold and flu season has arrived. Teachers are already beginning to see absences due to colds. It is estimated that 22 million school days are lost every year to the common cold.

Is the common cold easy to catch?

The short answer is "yes". Hundreds of different viruses can cause common cold symptoms. One of them, the rhinovirus, can remain active on skin and other surfaces for as long as three hours. The virus is present in the nasal secretions of infected people, so when that person sneezes, coughs or wipes their nose, the viruses enter the air, land on surfaces and get picked up by other people. Hand washing removes the viruses and if you wash your hands before you touch your face, mouth or eyes, then you are less likely to become infected with them. You can still inhale them, if you are around a sick person, who does not cover their mouth when sneezing or coughing, but in most cases, we probably get them on our hands and then transfer them to our noses.

What is the best common cold diet?

Foods that make you feel better, like warm soups and herbal teas. You should increase fluid intake during a cold. Fruit juices may be helpful, because levels of vitamin C in the bloodstream decrease significantly during an infection. The immune system needs adequate amounts of vitamin C to fight infection. Good nutrition is always important, but people who do not get there recommended daily allowance of vitamins, minerals and trace elements typically do not recover as quickly from minor infections like the common cold and may develop complications like sinus and ear infections. There is no medical evidence that the old saying that you should "feed a cold" is true, so it is not necessary to force the kids to eat, if they don't feel like it. Do encourage them to drink whatever fluids they can, tempt them with warm cocoa or chicken soup.

Is there a common cold diet for prevention?

Good nutrition obviously plays a role in overall good health. The best common cold diet is the same diet that you would follow year round. The American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association recommends a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, low in fats, oils and sugars. Treat meat like a side dish and choose beans and other vegetables that are high in protein, low in fat. Eat oatmeal and other whole grains. Read the ingredients in processed foods to be sure what you are eating. Take a daily multi-vitamin as insurance, not instead of eating a healthy diet.

Is the common cold easy to catch because of the weather?

There is no evidence that cold weather causes more colds. People who live in cold climates do not have more colds than those who do not.

Is the common cold easy to catch if you have other medical conditions?

Asthmatics are particularly susceptible to colds and scientists are investigating the reason for this. Recently it was learned that those people who suffer from asthma produce less anti-viral proteins than normal. These anti-viral proteins are produced by the immune system, thus natural products that increase or improve immune system responses may help.

Article Source: Health Guidance

Patsy Hamilton