l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 1 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. | l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 2 Cold remedies: What doesn't work
The list of ineffective cold remedies is long. A few of the more common ones
that don't work include:
Antibiotics. These destroy bacteria, but they're no help against cold
viruses. Avoid asking your doctor for antibiotics for a cold or using old
antibiotics you have on hand. You won't get well any faster, and
inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes to the serious and growing
problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Over-the-counter cold and cough medications in young children. OTC cold and
cough medications may cause serious and even life-threatening side effects
in children. The FDA warns against their use in children younger than age 2.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) has voluntarily
modified consumer product labels on over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold
medicines to state "do not use" in children under 4 years of age, and many
companies have stopped manufacturing these products for young children. The
FDA is evaluating the safety of these medications in older children. | l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 3 Cold remedies: What probably doesn't hurt
In spite of ongoing studies, the scientific jury is still out on popular
cold remedies such as vitamin C and echinacea. Here's an update on some
common alternative remedies:
Vitamin C. It appears that for the most part taking vitamin C won't help the
average person prevent colds. However, taking vitamin C before the onset of
cold symptoms may shorten the duration of symptoms. Vitamin C may provide
benefit for people at high risk of colds due to frequent exposure — for
example, children who attend group child care during the winter.
Echinacea. Studies on the effectiveness of echinacea at preventing or
shortening colds are mixed. Some studies show no benefit. Others show a
significant reduction in the severity and duration of cold symptoms when
taken in the early stages of a cold. One reason study results have been
inconclusive may be that the type of echinacea plant and preparation used
from one study to the next have varied considerably. Research on the role of
echinacea in treating the common cold is ongoing. In the meantime, if your
immune system is healthy and you are not taking prescription medications,
using echinacea supplements is unlikely to cause harm. | l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 4 Take care of yourself
Although usually minor, colds can make you feel miserable. It's tempting to
try the latest remedy, but the best thing you can do is take care of
yourself. Rest, drink fluids and keep the air around you moist. Remember to
wash your hands frequently.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-remedies/ID00036 | l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 5 Symptoms of a common cold usually appear about one to three days after
exposure to a cold-causing virus. Signs and symptoms of a common cold may
include:
Runny or stuffy nose
Itchy or sore throat
Cough
Congestion
Slight body aches or a mild headache
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Low-grade fever
Mild fatigue
The discharge from your nose may become thicker and yellow or green in color
as a common cold runs its course. What makes a cold different from other
viral infections is that you generally won't have a high fever. You're also
unlikely to experience significant fatigue from a common cold.
When to see a doctor
For adults — seek medical attention if you have:
Fever of 103 F (39.4 C) or higher
Fever accompanied by sweating, chills and a cough with colored phlegm
Significantly swollen glands
Severe sinus pain
For children — in general, children are sicker with a common cold than
adults are and often develop complications, such as ear infections. Your
child doesn't need to see the doctor for a routine common cold. But seek
medical attention right away if your child has any of the following signs or
symptoms:
Fever of 103 F (39.4 C) or higher in children age 2 or older
Fever of 102 F (38.9 C) or higher in children ages 6 weeks to 2 years
Fever of 100 F (37.8 C) in newborns up to 6 weeks
Signs of dehydration, such as urinating less often than usual
Not drinking adequate fluids
Fever that lasts more than three days
Vomiting or abdominal pain
Unusual sleepiness
Severe headache
Stiff neck
Difficulty breathing
Persistent crying
Ear pain
Persistent cough
If symptoms in a child or an adult last longer than 10 days, call your
doctor. | W******r
发帖数: 789 | 6 That's what they told you. | z*****n
发帖数: 633 | 7 现代人受的教育是西方教育，所以骨子里能接受的想得通的都是西方那些基本理念和知
识框架。所以对于古老东方的哲学体系不是很熟，虽然自己可能感觉很熟悉，实际上都
是用西方教育的思维来套东方的哲学体系，好比中国人学英语，发的音其实都是母语的
音基，语法也偏向母语的语法。所以无非是自我感觉良好而已。例如韩国人就一直认为
自己的英语发音全世界最标准。没办法，感觉好挡也挡不住。
正是这种自我感觉的良好，一叶障目，导致现在那些自以为世界就在他们口袋中的人不
见中医之森林。
西方体系有优越性吗？当然有，否则不会发展到今天这个地步。全然优越？当然也不是
，虽然西方教育体系重视客观分析，可是人们一到某些具体问题上讨论时就开始不客观
了呢？ | l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 8 你感冒了怎么治疗？
【在 W******r 的大作中提到】
: That's what they told you.
| W******r
发帖数: 789 | 9 我已经有6年没吃任何西药了。中间感冒过几次。比较严重的那几次用姜枣红糖水，另
外几次什么事都做。
【在 l*****a 的大作中提到】
: 你感冒了怎么治疗？
| l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 10 你看了我的主贴了么？ 还是就看到个Mayo Clinic？
【在 W******r 的大作中提到】
: 我已经有6年没吃任何西药了。中间感冒过几次。比较严重的那几次用姜枣红糖水，另
: 外几次什么事都做。
| | | W******r
发帖数: 789 | 11 第一次看的时候的确是看得太快了。Still, that's what they told you.
【在 l*****a 的大作中提到】
: 你看了我的主贴了么？ 还是就看到个Mayo Clinic？
| l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 12 so?
【在 W******r 的大作中提到】
: 第一次看的时候的确是看得太快了。Still, that's what they told you.
| M***y
发帖数: 1594 | 13 是的, 美国人显然不能代表人类, 美国的医生也显然不能代表所有医生. 感冒了, 除了
MAYO CLINIC说的, 我也愿意听听中医的说法.
所以我来到这个版. JUST LEAVE ME ALONE.
当然, 你可以说这是你的自由. ANYWAY, IT IS A FREE COUNTRY. WE ARE ALSO FREE TO TRY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES.
【在 l*****a 的大作中提到】
: so?
| l*t
发帖数: 1695 | 14 以前经常感冒，后来就基本上不感冒。
偶尔风寒抑或风热侵入，只要静坐调息，片刻即可康复。
所以大家在这里吵来吵去，还不如静下来读读道德经。
中医粉丝读道德经有助于学习中医，身体健康，了悟人生宇宙的真理。
中医黑读道德经，也可以加深对中医的理解：既然要批判中医的不良现象，那么就要先
了解她嘛；不了解，就批判，也不容易让人信服嘛 | M***y
发帖数: 1594 | 15 是啊, 来到这个版, 应该都受过教育, 会有自己的判断. 中医西医都是PRACTICE, 没有
包治百病的, 都是有利有弊的, 就像癌症的放疗. 你的身体
你做主, 我尊重你的选择. 所谓中国的百花齐放,美国的包容文化.
每个人都有自己的看法, 方法有利有弊, 自己权衡. 尊重别人的选择.
我连粉都算不上, 都烦了, 就象拉你信教似的, 不停告诉你, 中医不对不能用. 我到版
面想找点有用信息, 结果受干扰了, 修行不够啊. 我要需要西医的信息, 用得着上这版
吗? | l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 16 说真的我看了两三遍还是没看懂你在说啥，我有和你说，不准看中医， 不准到这个版
面了么？
下去喝点凉茶消消暑气吧，嗯？
TO TRY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES.
【在 M***y 的大作中提到】
: 是的, 美国人显然不能代表人类, 美国的医生也显然不能代表所有医生. 感冒了, 除了
: MAYO CLINIC说的, 我也愿意听听中医的说法.
: 所以我来到这个版. JUST LEAVE ME ALONE.
: 当然, 你可以说这是你的自由. ANYWAY, IT IS A FREE COUNTRY. WE ARE ALSO FREE TO TRY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES.
| M***y
发帖数: 1594 | 17 中医和你的这个贴怎么联系上啊?
感冒的时候怎么办- By Mayo Clinic staff
你要是无聊瞎灌水, 那我躲了
【在 l*****a 的大作中提到】
: 说真的我看了两三遍还是没看懂你在说啥，我有和你说，不准看中医， 不准到这个版
: 面了么？
: 下去喝点凉茶消消暑气吧，嗯？
:
: TO TRY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES.
| l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 18 你先跟我说说什么叫中医
【在 M***y 的大作中提到】
: 中医和你的这个贴怎么联系上啊?
: 感冒的时候怎么办- By Mayo Clinic staff
: 你要是无聊瞎灌水, 那我躲了
| M***y
发帖数: 1594 | 19 抱歉, 我不懂中医, 所以到这版想学习, 比如感冒了, 中医是怎么说, 怎么做的. 你的
贴子我不知道怎么联系上, 请指教. 如果你贴子提到的中医方法让我觉得合理且简便易
行, 我愿意学习, 可惜目前我没领悟到, 请明示.
【在 l*****a 的大作中提到】
: 你先跟我说说什么叫中医
|
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