Colds

How to banish winter sniffles and sneezes

There are approximately 200 different viruses that cause colds, infections that inflame the mucous membranes lining the nose and throat. Most adults have two bouts with the resulting sniffles and sneezes each year, usually during the winter months. Though not serious, colds can lead to sinus infections or earaches, and, occasionally, pneumonia, bronchitis, or asthma attacks.

Other than minding your overall health, washing your hands religiously, and avoiding touching your nose and eyes, you can’t do much to prevent colds. But once you’re sick, you can take care of yourself while the natural defenses that are part of your immune system do their work. Make sure to get plenty of sleep; drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration; gargle with a mild mix of salt and warm water if you have a sore throat; and use a humidifier, hot shower, or bowl of steamy chicken soup to keep your lungs and mucous membranes moist.

And don’t be shy about reaching for the appropriate over-the-counter (OTC) remedy. While they can’t cure you, they can ease your symptoms.

For aches and fever, analgesics (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen) can help. All except acetaminophen are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which means they also reduce inflammation.

For coughs, suppressants, especially those made with dextromethorphan, help reduce frequency and severity. For deep, congested coughs, syrups with an expectorant, such as guaifenesin, may help liquefy mucus, making it easier to cough up. Cough drops, which often contain menthol or eucalyptus oil, may soothe the painful throat irritation that leads to a dry hack.

For a stuffy nose, decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, or phenylephrine, help shrink swollen blood vessels in the nose and reduce congestion. Saline nasal sprays, which contain purified salt and water, help dissolve dried nasal secretions and soothe inflamed mucous membranes. Also, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Breathe-Right strips, Band-Aid-like strips that you place across your nose to increase airflow, as helpful in providing relief for nasal congestion.

For sore throats, lozenges made with dyclonine or benzocaine may temporarily numb the pain. And some studies have found that zinc lozenges may have an antiviral effect in the nose and throat, reducing sore throat pain, stuffiness, and, in some cases, even the duration of a cold. Caution: Check with a health professional before taking any medications while pregnant or nursing, or if taking other drugs.

Avoid cold products if you have:

• High blood pressure. Heart disease.
• Diabetes.
• Thyroid disease.
• Asthma.
• Glaucoma.
• Emphysema.
• Chronic pulmonary disease.
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
• Difficulty urinating.
• Benign prostate hyperplasia.

  Remember, OTC pain relievers are still potent drugs. They may cause liver or kidney damage if used at higher than recommended doses, for long periods, or by those who regularly consume more than three alcoholic drinks daily. Heavy, prolonged NSAID use may increase risks of gastrointestinal problems. If your cold doesn’t clear up in a week; your symptoms get worse; or you develop a high fever, wheezing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, a severe sore throat, or a cough that brings up blood or yellow or green mucus; see your doctor.

  For more information, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the American Acadamy of Otolaryngology, One Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
  

  Three for One?

  Combination products contain decongestants, analgesics, and/or cough medicines to treat all symptoms at once. However, many health professionals say it’s best to buy individual products that target only your specific symptoms, so you don’t inadvertently take more medicine than you need (by taking a combination product that contains an analgesic in addition to a separate analgesic, for example).
  

  Possible Drug Interactions

  Drugs or foods that may interact with, decrease, or increase the effects of the medication you’re taking:

  Acetaminophen may interact with the results of some at-home tests for blood cholesterol.

  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may interact with some antacids, antidiabetic drugs, antiseizure medications, blood thinners, cancer drugs, gout drugs, heart medications, high blood pressure drugs, other NSAIDs (including aspirin), some diuretics, and sulfa drugs.

  Antihistamines may interact with alcohol; drugs that depress the central nervous system; and other antihistamines. Certain newer prescription antihistamines may interact with some antifungal drugs and with macrolide antibiotics.

  Cough medicines may interact with alcohol; medicines containing codeine; antidepressants; high blood pressure drugs; and central-nervous-system depressants.