Cold season is upon us. The average adult catches three colds a year. Though there’s still no cure for the all-too-common cold, it can help to know what may aid your recovery when you’re feeling under the weather. Here’s a rundown on remedies that claim to prevent or treat colds.
Conventional remedies
Antibiotics: A cold is caused by one of approximately 200 different viruses that invade your nasal passages and take hold. But antibiotics only kill bacteria, not viruses. So the only time an antibiotic could help is if a cold turns into a secondary bacterial infection such as an ear infection, sinusitis or pneumonia. Unless that’s the case, treating a cold with antibiotics only creates antibiotic-resistant bacteria in your body, which may make antibiotics less effective when you truly need them.
Conventional drugs: No prescription or over-the-counter medicines have been shown to shorten a cold’s length. They don’t prevent colds either, but may provide some relief from symptoms.
Zinc: The mineral appears to help inhibit viruses in your nose and throat. Results from studies are somewhat inconsistent, with the majority showing that zinc may reduce the severity and duration of colds. In the studies, lozenges made with zinc gluconate or zinc acetate worked most effectively. Zinc nasal gel acted less consistently, and can cause local discomfort or loss of smell.
Take precautions when trying zinc: Start therapy in a cold’s first 24 hours; limit use to five days; and don’t take it if you’re pregnant or have conditions that affect your immune system.
Echinacea: The herbal remedy may stimulate your immune system to mount a stronger fight against a cold. The flowers, leaves and stems of Echinacea purpura reportedly are most effective.
When started at the first sign of illness, echinacea may reduce symptom severity and shorten recovery time by two to four days, according to several studies. There’s even evidence it may stop a cold early in its tracks. But a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed no benefit when taken by children with colds.
Research suggests prolonged use of echinacea can weaken the immune response; so don’t take the herb more than two weeks – and not at all if you have a chronic infection or immunity disorder. You also shouldn’t take it if you’re allergic to flowers in the daisy family.
Vitamin C: Taking extra at the onset of a cold probably doesn’t speed recovery unless you’re vitamin C deficient. Regular consumption won’t prevent colds either, according to studies, but may slightly reduce symptoms and shorten recovery should you come down with one.
Other treatments: The Asian herb andrographis may boost immunity and shows promise for prevention and treatment of colds. There’s also evidence that taking garlic or probiotic products that contain lactobacillus, such as yogurt, may modestly reduce your chances of catching a cold. Little research data is available about herbal cold concoctions made with goldenseal, hyssop, ivy leaf, linden, marshmallow, peppermint, slippery elm, sage and yarrow.
At-home self care
The best cold remedies are still those you can do at home. These include getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of liquids – at least eight cups a day. Warm chicken soup and herbal teas are especially good at breaking up congestion. Reduce exposure to tobacco smoke since it’s irritating to the airways. And for prevention, wash your hands with soap and water when you’re around others with colds.
For more information: American Academy of Family Physicians, familydoctor.org.
Contact Dr. Elizabeth Smoots, a board-certified family physician and fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, at doctor@practicalprevention. com. Her columns are not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Before adhering to any recommendations in this column consult your health care provider.
2007 Elizabeth S. Smoots.
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