As our Vancouver summer winds down, offices are once again full after the season’s vacations, children back in classes and something nasty is waiting to wreak it’s considerable havoc on the unsuspecting.  Yes, for most people, an average of 3 times per year we experience an achingly sore throat, congestion in the chest and sinuses and a frustratingly runny nose (will it ever stop?).  Otherwise known as the “cold”, (the flu is a different beast that I’ll write about  in another post to come) the rhino-virus is hard to escape and harder, it seems, to endure. It’s first line of entry?  Your eyes or nose — the virus is tiny and very adept at getting into the mucosal passages — is prey to the the virus when droplets of it are released into the air by coughing, sneezing or by transferring virus particles by touch to the eyes or nose or, less commonly, the mouth.  It now seems that your Bubbe or Grandma may have been right about catching a cold, too.  Seems that being in a cold, draughty place may activate viruses that are latent in the sinuses.   Breathing super-dry air — such as on-board airplanes and office buildings with less than stellar ventilation — helps to develop cracks  in the nasal passageways that allow an entryway for viruses.  Drinking plenty of fluids may help prevent that from occurring, opening a window is very useful in keeping the air hydrated and generally improves air quality.

It’s likely that when the immune system is depressed that a person is more vulnerable to colds. However, it can also be argued that a strong immune system reacts promptly to an invading virus  by launching a large scale attack — or swollen lymph glands in the throat and mucous formation in the sinuses and lung to surround the offender — with miserable but necessary consequences.

Okay, so you have washed your hands a thousand times, kept hydrated, ate well and URGH! — you’ve got a lousy cold. What to do? These are a few suggestions when dealing with the common cold:

• Your Bubbe was right!  Chicken soup contains cystine, a compound that can help to thin mucous secretions in  the nasal passages and lungs.  It’s fine if it’s canned, but homemade  soup contains far more cystine.  And it’s even better if someone special makes it just for you!
  
• Spicy foods such as hot peppers or chillies contain capsaicin; this can help with congestion as well.  Garlic and turmeric may have a similar effect.
• Fluids… lot’s of them. Try drinking  4 litres per day.  Fluids help to keep the secretions thin sufficient to allow the lungs and sinuses to clear them through coughing and blowing your nose.

What  remains controversial or is not suggested as being helpful:

• Vitamin C — there’s no definitive research that states that Vitamin C prevents or cures colds. Some people claim that taking Vitamin C in larger doses decreases the duration of a cold.
• While water, tea and soup are excellent fluids, alcohol is not. Avoid it completely during the time of your cold as it causes dehydration and further congestion of the lungs and sinuses. Alcohol may reduce the body’s ability to fight infection.  As well, combining  OTC cold medications and alcohol are ill-advised.
• Zinc — some evidence suggests that sucking on zinc lozenges at the first sign of a cold may help cut the cold’s duration. However, taking Zinc over a log period of time can actually weaken your immune system.  It’s likely that if you are eating a reasonable diet, you’ll get all the zinc that the body requires without the need for supplementation.

If your cold produces:

• a cough with a yellow-green phlegm
• a severe headache or pain in the face, jaw or ear
• difficulty swallowing or breathing a fever over 37.8 that lasts more than 48 hours

See your doctor immediately.  Sometimes viruses get “stuck” in areas such as the deeper aspect of the lung or sinus passage and cannot be cleared. Bacteria can develop there and produce a dangerous situation such as pneumonia. That will require medical attention quickly.

So, stay warm in the cold, wash your hands, stay well-rested and for Pete’s sake, drink your soup!

In good health and wellness,

Alan