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Cold Prevention And Treatment: What Really Works?

Cold Prevention And Treatment: What Really Works?

A new review of studies helps weed out what works -- and what doesn't -- when it comes to preventing and treating the common cold.

What does seem to work at preventing a cold: Washing your hands. And for kids (and maybe even adults), taking zinc could decrease the rates of colds and related school absences.

"Although the evidence for cold prevention with zinc comes from studies involving only children, there is no biological reason why zinc would work only in children and not adults," the researchers wrote in the study.

Probiotics also seem to work, but the ones used in the reviewed studies had different formulations, thereby making it difficult to really compare them.

As for treatments, antihistamines with decongestants and/or pain medications seemed to help for kids older than 5 and adults. And ibuprofen and acetaminophen effectively reduced pain and fever (for kids, ibuprofen seemed to work better at reducing fever). Ipratropium nasal spray also seemed to help with runny nose, but not congestion.

What doesn't seem to work? For kids, cough medicines (though they could help a little bit for adults). Honey for kids over age 1 seemed to help receive cough. There was not clear evidence that vapor rubs, gargling, ginseng or homeopathy helped to treat colds, nor vitamin C or antibiotics.

"It is not possible to determine whether benefit exists for most other alternative therapies," researchers wrote in the study. "Studies of nasal irrigation, humidified air, Chinese herbal medicines and echinacea all showed inconsistent results."

The review, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, included dozens of studies, and was conducted by researchers from the University of Alberta and the University of Auckland.

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healthy livingcold remediescold prevention

Before You Go

Hand Washing
Flickr:peapod labs
There may be no more promoted solution to avoiding the flu this year (besides the flu shot, of course) than diligent hand washing. As many as 80 percent of infections are transmitted via contact like sneezing, coughing or touching surfaces that have been sneezed or coughed on, says Tierno, and then touching "your mouth, eyes or nose, which are the conduits of viruses into the body." He recommends scrubbing before eating, drinking or touching your face, and disinfecting shared surfaces in the home (like the bathroom) and the office, like phones, computers and fridge door handles.
Sleep
Flickr:bradleygee
While you're off in dreamland, your body gets to work repairing cells and injuries you may have incurred during the normal day's wear and tear, says Tierno. Getting your seven to nine hours a night means your body can repair and heal itself and ward off infections. "If you don't get the appropriate sleep, that system is not operating and you're on a steady decline over time," he says.In fact, skimping on sleep is as disruptive to the immune system as stress, according to a 2012 study. And earlier research suggested that sleep patterns may play a role in a gene that helps fight off bacteria and viruses.
Exercise
Flickr:Official U.S. Navy Imagery
Getting your blood pumping regularly can increase the activity of a type of white blood cells that attacks viruses. Shoot for an hour a day, says Tierno -- but not necessarily all at once. "Even if it's walking around the office, up stairs, down stairs, to and from work -- it doesn't have to be continuous," he says.
Zinc
Flickr:cherrylet
Getting the proper amount of the right nutrients and minerals as part of a healthy diet "leaves the body in optimal condition to fight the battle," says Tierno. This means cutting back on sugary, fatty foods and upping your intake of vegetables, fruit and lean protein, he says. One of those nutrients that gets a particularly healthy reputation during cold and flu season is zinc, and for good reason. "Zinc interferes with viruses gaining full access to our cells," he says. "Zinc may block certain metabolic activity." While it's not the end-all cure, foods rich in zinc, like oysters and wheat germ, may offer some protection.
Garlic
Flickr:flowercarole
The anti-microbial properties of this pungent bulb (and its relative, the onion) can fight off certain bacteria and viruses, says Tierno, as can the compounds in other herbs and spices, like thyme.It's likely due to the compound allicin, which seems to block infections. Try it in your next bowl of soothing chicken soup!
Water
Flickr:StockPhotosforFree.com
Thankfully, most of us are inhabiting cozy-warm homes this winter, but those cranking radiators come with a downside. Indoor winter air is much dryer than our bodies would like. Without sufficient moisture, says Tierno, "immune system cells can't optimally work," so it's important to stay hydrated. (A humidifier can also help.)
Skipping Happy Hour
Flickr:Matthew Wilkinson
Alcohol suppresses both the part of the immune system that protects you from coming down with something and the part that fights off the germs already in your system, so knocking a few too many back can put you at increased risk for catching the bug going around -- and having trouble kicking it.
Laughter
Flickr:Mike Monaghan
A positive attitude can take you far -- even, maybe, to age 100. But along the way, a life of laughter and optimism could also help you sniffle through fewer bouts of the flu or colds. While there's much that's still not well understood about the process, it seems that certain immune cells are produced by a big belly laugh, says Tierno.
Massage
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A favorite solution for de-stressing, massage can also help you stay physically healthy. While there's been little research into exactly how it works, massage certainly increases circulation, which may help promote the general "state of wellness in the body," says Tierno. "Nutrients are passed around better, the blood flow is better," he says. "It's a very useful thing to get a massage."
Sex
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A 1999 study found that getting frisky a couple of times a week can boost immunoglobin A, an antibody that fights off colds. Just make sure your partner isn't already sick!
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