Understanding The Common Cold And Over The Counter Options For Treatment

The majority of the population has experienced the frustration of contracting the common cold.  That pounding headache or unbearable sinus headache that comes from congestion.  That unpleasant scratchy or sore throat usually caused by a post nasal drip where the mucous secretions are draining from the sinuses and nasal passages, down the back of the throat.  That annoying or hacking cough caused by the post nasal drip. The occasional earache or ear discomfort that develops in more severe cases where a lot of sinus pressure is seen.
  
There are over one hundred different rhinoviruses (viruses that affect the upper respiratory tract; eyes, nose, sinuses, ears, and throat) that people catch over a billion times a year worldwide causing them to come down with the common cold. These viruses usually enter the body through the eyes or the nose. The viruses, then, attack the membranes in the nasal and sinus passages.  The viruses replicate so quickly that the above symptoms start to appear anywhere from 10 to 12 hours after contact with the virus.


Antibiotics are of no value, unfortunately, since the common cold is caused by a virus not a bacteria.  Taking them can make conditions worse by killing harmless bacteria normally found in the upper respiratory tract. The virus, then  infiltrates these areas giving and replicate.  


In the past, people with the common cold were treated  with the use of analgesics, decongestants, antihistamines, mucolytics, and cough suppressants.  Natural and homeopathic remedies have also been used.  They include such things as vitamin C, zinc tablets, echinacea, golden seal root, and eyebright.  However, due to the poor and unreliable data collected from research studies completed, there is no hard evidence that these homeopathic remedies are of any great benefit.

In recent years, research has shown reliable evidence on the use of zinc gluconate glycine lozenges for use in the common cold.  One study analyzed the duration of the common cold, as well as any lessening of symptoms during this time period.  It proved astonishing results if the lozenges were started in the first 24 hours of noticing any onset of cold symptoms. Half of the study participants were given 13.3mg of zinc gluconate glycine lozenges while the other half were given just plain placebo (inactive) lozenges.  The participants were given lozenges every 2 hours while awake.  In both cases, the zinc lozenges reduced the severity of the symptoms and duration of the colds.  The treatment should continue until symptoms subside, but never longer than a week.  Short time use of the zinc is of great benefit, however, using zinc for too long can be toxic to your body.  Too much zinc can weaken your immune system, decrease the amount good cholesterol in your body as well as deplete your body of other important minerals such as copper.

The common cold lasts around 8 days, maybe a little bit longer.  People who use the zinc lozenges reduce this by almost 4 days, cutting the duration by almost half.  The only side effects reported when using zinc lozenges are alterations in taste perception, nausea and a very small number of unsubstantiated claims of loss of smell which can  not be backed up by any clinical data to date.  The nausea is not severe and usually can be reduced by sucking the lozenges after eating a snack or small meal.  These side effects are also reversible after discontinuing the lozenges.  As far as the loss of sense of smell the jury is still out on this side effect since many rhinoviruses can also cause loss of smell.   Zinc lozenges have very few drug interactions.  This makes them good for people who are taking a lot of different medications.  All of the data is not in yet on their use with pregnant women and women who are breast feeding. These women should check with their doctor or pediatrician before use. These lozenges also should not be used by people who are immunocompromised such as transplant patients or other patients who are taking immunosuppressant medication.  


Since no one can avoid the common cold, my first recommendation is to take zinc gluconate glycine lozenges as soon as you recognize any of the symptoms of a cold coming on.  It is very important that you take the lozenges, not a tablet or capsule formulation. The exact way they work is still not 100% understood and I will try to explain it as simply as possible.  By sucking on the lozenges the zinc formulation binds to a substance in your tissues through direct contact and stops or competes with the rhinovirus preventing it from replicating.  This  reduces the symptoms and duration of the cold.  My second recommendation is to treat the cold symptomatically with analgesics (for the aches and pains), nasal decongestants (to relieve any congestion or sinus pressure), antihistamines and mucolytics (for any problems with mucous and post nasal drip), and lastly a cough suppressant if required.  Also, stay away from dairy products which are mucous forming and drink plenty of clear fluids (6-8) glasses a day if you have no prior medical condition that prohibits this.


Listed below are the over the counter products for treating the common cold besides zinc gluconate glycine lozenges which are available in both a regular and sugar free formulation.


ANALGESICS (PAIN RELIEVER)

1. Aspirin (but not recommended for ages under 13)
2. Acetaminophen
3. Ibuprofen

DECONGESTANTS

1. Pseudoephedrine
2. Phenylephrine
3. *Oxymetazoline (nasal spray)

ANTIHISTAMINES

1. Diphenhdramine
2. Chlorpheniramine
3. Loratadine  (non-sedating)
4. Cetirizine    (non-sedating)

ANTITUSSIVES/COUGH SUPPRESSANTS 

1. Dextromethorphan

MUCOLYTICS

1. Guaifenesin

Note all of these medications can have side effects affecting pre-existing medical conditions and they can also cause drug interactions.  Always check with your pharmacist or doctor prior to taking any of these.

* I do not recommend the nasal sprays for any longer than 3 days.  Use longer than this can cause a condition known as rebound congestion.  This happens when the nasal spray drys the nasal and sinus passages out so much it actually burns the tissue causing it to produce more mucous as a healing process making the congestion worse than it was when the cold started.  The body can also develop a physical dependence upon these nasal spray just to alleviate this never ending cycle of congestion.


If you have any questions regarding any of the products used or combination products used to treat the common cold please feel free to e-mail me at ejjoycerph@gmail .com and I will respond as quickly as possible. I also look forward to any comments either positive or negative so I can continue to improve the blog. I also welcome any topics relating to my blog that you would like to know more about.