Cold remedies

[scottmandue]

Well it's that time of year again... and I have managed to catch a nice early holiday cold [dull headache, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat].
My usual routine:
Get lots of rest (good luck with that on Thanksgiving weekend)
Drink lots of soup, herb tea, and fruit juice.
Take lots of vitamin C, A, B, D and zinc.
Stay warm (hot baths & showers, electric blanket)
Abstain from alcohol (boooo!)

One of my cold cures is mulled apple juice AJ+cinnamon+cloves+ginger, simmer on stove for 45 minutes... not sure if it is much of a cure but it sure smells and tastes good!

Anyone have any interesting home remedies?

Also does anyone (particularly the doctors out there) have a comment as to do any of these things actually help? Or does the cold just run it's course regardless of what we do?

Does gulping down all that juice and soup help?
Does taking the extra vitamins make a difference?
Dose temperature have affect on recovery?
And how about alcohol and colds?

[Steve Carlton]

A pharmacist suggested both Zicam and Airborne in combination as they work in different ways. If I start taking them when I feel the first tickle of a cold, most times it knocks it out in a matter of hours. I've been amazed. I'm not sure how well this works after a cold has gotten hold, but I think it helps.

I think Airborne was discredited for what it claims to do, but for me it's been working great.

[TechnoViking]

Airborne when first catching cold seems to help. I think I've warded off a couple, which is rare for me otherwise.

For sinus infection, try a nasal rinse. I think there's one called NeliMed. It will clear your head and I think may help you get better faster.

If things get real bad, I cycle the Nyquil/Dayquil depending on time of day.

Yea, lay off the booze. Not good for cold and does not get along with acetaminophen (aka Tylenol), which is in a lot of the good cold medicines.

[scottmandue]

I keep Airborn around for taking before I get on an airplane and I have been taking it the last few days but I'm not sure it helps much after the fact.

With the Zicam which product are you using? They have spray, swabs, tablets. Not a big fan of nasal sprays since a few years back when people were getting addicted to them (happened to a friend of mine).

Nasal rinse seems to be a big thing right now... I'm willing to give it a try however... well, it sound kind of disgusting.

[Drdogface]

Zicam really works before the cold is full blown. After that, I'm not sure. For what ever reason, real home made chicken soup works. Nasal rinse is a good idea but I could never seem to get the nerve to try it.

[Buckterrier]

I unfortunantley have gotten colds all my friggin' life. Just getting over one as a matter of fact. The only remedy I know, or that works for me is the ole' grin-n-bare-it

[RWebb]

both items listed by Dogface have been tested in blind trial studies and do work.

Mark - take heart in the finding that those who get a lot of colds have a lower risk of death by cancer - thought to be related to 'training' of the immune system

I find Rum to be xlnt. at providing symptomatic relief...

MORE:
~1/2 of all “colds” due to rhinoviruses

Go to max. use of inhalants if needed. If on max. inhalants for 4 days w/o improvement, then make appt. with Mosh.

use Zicam – early in the onset of the infection

- double the Singulair dose (use am and pm)
- Nasacort – 2 sprays each side 2x/day
- can also use Astelin, and antihistamines, decongestants but above are the important drugs

Decongestants - seduce swelling in the nasal passages; use pseudoephedrine (causes alertness), avoid phenylpropanolamine

Antihistamines - may help relieve sneezing and runny nose
Benadryl – more efficacious; causes drowsiness
Loratadine (Claritin) – blocks peripheral histamine H1-receptors – no effect on colds

Expectorants - worthless

Aches, pains – Tylenol

Echinacea 1/2 tsp. tincture in 1/4 cup warm water; take 4x/day - potentiates immune system

Naproxen - relieves symptoms

Chicken soup (with vegetables) relieves symptoms; seems to ^* drainage

Aspirin - kills virus in vitro, causes body to shed the virus

Vitamin C - over 1 g/day may ^* P(kidney stones)

Rhinoviruses can survive 2-3 days on a surface; poor survival in mouth (kissing has low transmissibility)
nasal passages are cooler, thus better for virus
virus needs to be in nasopharynx, nose (inhalation), or tear ducts

high psych. stress levels double P(infection); lack of sleep *^ P(infection)

humidify your air - dry air may favor viral reproduction; warm Tnasal may favor immune system

[Dottore]

When you feel one coming on...

Finger of Scotch in a coffee mug.

Top with boiling water.

Drink and go right to bed.

This has been our family remedy for years, and we never get colds.

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by RWebb

both items listed by Dogface have been tested in blind trial studies and do work.

Mark - take heart in the finding that those who get a lot of colds have a lower risk of death by cancer - thought to be related to 'training' of the immune system

Thank you, seriously thank you very much. Everytime a catch a cold now I will think of that study. I've also printed out the list you've made.