感冒的时候怎么办- By Mayo Clinic staff# ChineseMed - 中医
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Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt
There's no cure for the common cold. But what about cold remedies that claim
to make you feel better faster? Find out what's effective — and what's not.
Cold remedies are almost as common as the common cold, and many are nearly
as ancient. The use of chicken soup as a congestion cure dates back
centuries. But is longevity any guarantee that a cold remedy works? Do
effective cold remedies even exist? Here's a look at some common cold
remedies and what's known about them.
Cold remedies: What works
If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for one to two weeks. But
that doesn't mean you have to be miserable. These remedies may help:
Water and other fluids. You can't flush a cold out of your system, but
drinking plenty of liquids can help. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon
water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid
alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which make dehydration worse.
Salt water. A saltwater gargle — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8
-ounce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy
throat.
Saline nasal drops and sprays. Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and
sprays combat stuffiness and congestion. In infants, experts recommend
instilling several saline drops into one nostril, then gently suctioning
that nostril with a bulb syringe (push the bulb in about 1/4 to 1/2 inch, or
about 6 to 12 millimeters). Saline nasal sprays may be used in older
children. Unlike nasal decongestants, saline drops and sprays don't lead to
a rebound effect — a worsening of symptoms when the medication is
discontinued — and most are safe and nonirritating, even for children.
Zinc. For years, cold sufferers have treated their symptoms with over-the-
counter remedies containing zinc. But without sound evidence to support this
treatment, doctors generally didn't recommend it. Now a comprehensive
analysis of clinical-trial data on zinc and colds has concluded that zinc
really does appear to be beneficial. The conclusion comes with a few caveats
. Researchers haven't determined the most effective formulation, dose or
duration of zinc treatment for colds. Zinc lozenges can leave a bad taste in
your mouth, and some trial participants reported nausea as a side effect of
the lozenges. Zinc-based nasal sprays, not included in the recent, positive
analysis, pose a different problem; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
warns that these products can take away your sense of smell, possibly for
good.
Chicken soup. Generations of parents have spooned chicken soup into their
sick children. Chicken soup may be soothing because of its possible anti-
inflammatory and mucus-thinning effects.
Over-the-counter cold and cough medications in older children and adults.
Nonprescription decongestants and pain relievers offer some symptom relief,
but they won't prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some
side effects. If used for more than a few days, they can actually make
symptoms worse.
Experts agree that these medications are dangerous in children younger than
age 2. The FDA is evaluating the safety of over-the-counter cold and cough
medications in older children.
Keep in mind that acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can cause serious liver
damage or liver failure if taken in doses higher than recommended. It's
common for people to take Tylenol in addition to flu medications that also
contain acetaminophen, which can lead to acetaminophen overdoses. Read the
labels of any cold medication carefully to make sure you're not overdosing.
If a cough lasts after your other cold symptoms have resolved, see your
doctor. In the meantime, try soothing your throat with warm lemon water and
honey and humidifying the air in your house. Avoid giving honey to infants.
Antihistamines. First-generation (sedating) antihistamines may provide minor
relief of several cold symptoms, including cough, sneezing, watery eyes and
nasal discharge. However, results are conflicting and the benefits may not
outweigh the side effects.
Humidity. Cold viruses thrive in dry conditions — another reason why colds
are more common in winter. Dry air also dries the mucous membranes, causing
a stuffy nose and scratchy throat. A humidifier can add moisture to your
home, but it can also add mold, fungi and bacteria if not cleaned properly.
Change the water in your humidifier daily, and clean the unit according to
the manufacturer's instructions.
There's no cure for the common cold. But what about cold remedies that claim
to make you feel better faster? Find out what's effective — and what's not.
Cold remedies are almost as common as the common cold, and many are nearly
as ancient. The use of chicken soup as a congestion cure dates back
centuries. But is longevity any guarantee that a cold remedy works? Do
effective cold remedies even exist? Here's a look at some common cold
remedies and what's known about them.
Cold remedies: What works
If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for one to two weeks. But
that doesn't mean you have to be miserable. These remedies may help:
Water and other fluids. You can't flush a cold out of your system, but
drinking plenty of liquids can help. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon
water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid
alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which make dehydration worse.
Salt water. A saltwater gargle — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8
-ounce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy
throat.
Saline nasal drops and sprays. Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and
sprays combat stuffiness and congestion. In infants, experts recommend
instilling several saline drops into one nostril, then gently suctioning
that nostril with a bulb syringe (push the bulb in about 1/4 to 1/2 inch, or
about 6 to 12 millimeters). Saline nasal sprays may be used in older
children. Unlike nasal decongestants, saline drops and sprays don't lead to
a rebound effect — a worsening of symptoms when the medication is
discontinued — and most are safe and nonirritating, even for children.
Zinc. For years, cold sufferers have treated their symptoms with over-the-
counter remedies containing zinc. But without sound evidence to support this
treatment, doctors generally didn't recommend it. Now a comprehensive
analysis of clinical-trial data on zinc and colds has concluded that zinc
really does appear to be beneficial. The conclusion comes with a few caveats
. Researchers haven't determined the most effective formulation, dose or
duration of zinc treatment for colds. Zinc lozenges can leave a bad taste in
your mouth, and some trial participants reported nausea as a side effect of
the lozenges. Zinc-based nasal sprays, not included in the recent, positive
analysis, pose a different problem; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
warns that these products can take away your sense of smell, possibly for
good.
Chicken soup. Generations of parents have spooned chicken soup into their
sick children. Chicken soup may be soothing because of its possible anti-
inflammatory and mucus-thinning effects.
Over-the-counter cold and cough medications in older children and adults.
Nonprescription decongestants and pain relievers offer some symptom relief,
but they won't prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some
side effects. If used for more than a few days, they can actually make
symptoms worse.
Experts agree that these medications are dangerous in children younger than
age 2. The FDA is evaluating the safety of over-the-counter cold and cough
medications in older children.
Keep in mind that acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can cause serious liver
damage or liver failure if taken in doses higher than recommended. It's
common for people to take Tylenol in addition to flu medications that also
contain acetaminophen, which can lead to acetaminophen overdoses. Read the
labels of any cold medication carefully to make sure you're not overdosing.
If a cough lasts after your other cold symptoms have resolved, see your
doctor. In the meantime, try soothing your throat with warm lemon water and
honey and humidifying the air in your house. Avoid giving honey to infants.
Antihistamines. First-generation (sedating) antihistamines may provide minor
relief of several cold symptoms, including cough, sneezing, watery eyes and
nasal discharge. However, results are conflicting and the benefits may not
outweigh the side effects.
Humidity. Cold viruses thrive in dry conditions — another reason why colds
are more common in winter. Dry air also dries the mucous membranes, causing
a stuffy nose and scratchy throat. A humidifier can add moisture to your
home, but it can also add mold, fungi and bacteria if not cleaned properly.
Change the water in your humidifier daily, and clean the unit according to
the manufacturer's instructions.
