If remedies aren't effective, what can you do about your cold?
Dr Cathy Stephenson is a GP and forensic medical examiner.
There has been a lot of publicity around Consumer NZ's report into cold and flu remedies.
Consumer NZ looked at more than 50, over-the-counter remedies and found that in most cases they don't work. This is concerning for several reasons:
- Firstly, the cost – apparently we spent more than $38 million on cold and flu remedies last year.
- The potential risks – it is possible to get an adverse reaction to any medication, so when we choose to accept this risk, we want reassurance that what we are putting in our bodies is going to be effective.
- Double dosing – many of the over-the-counter "combination" options contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, although often it's only written in the small print listing all the ingredients. If you are also using either of these pain relievers for headaches or a sore throat, the risk of inadvertently over-dosing is high – something that could have disastrous consequences.
- Lastly, most of these products aren't safe at all for children, especially younger ones. But by having them in your bathroom cupboard, the risk is they could be given to kids – probably when you're struggling to think straight, let alone read packaging properly, in the middle of the night.
So it would seem pretty straightforward - avoid all over-the-counter products, save money, and get better the natural way? Sadly, life is rarely as black and white as that.
Given that the average New Zealander will get around three colds a year (many more for children), and the average cold lasts about 10 days, that's a lot of time spent feeling rubbish. It's also potentially a lot of days off work or school, with the inevitable impact that has on family life, not to mention our country's economy. With this in mind, it's easy to see why we are so eager to purchase something that's going to make us feel better and be back functioning again as quickly as possible.
Here are a few things that you can try, with the reassurance that they are safe when used correctly, and there is evidence (albeit small in some cases) that they will help. But please note, there is nothing currently available that can cure your cold, or take it away any sooner – these suggestions are simply to reduce your symptoms and make you feel better:
Rest
We know that putting your feet up and taking it easy when you are fighting a viral infection is important. Putting extra demands on your body may make the cold last longer. And going to work, or school, especially in the early phase when you are likely to be most contagious, will spread it around your colleagues. I'm not suggesting that everyone who gets a sniffle should be off work, but if you are feeling feverish or exhausted with your cold, a day or two on the couch may be really beneficial.
Analgesia
Simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are really helpful. They reduce fever, as well as help any aches or pains. If your throat is really sore, using pain relief will enable you to swallow more easily, important for staying hydrated.
Fluids
There is no evidence that "over hydrating" (taking in more fluids than usual) is effective, but ensuring you are adequately hydrated is important. If you don't feel like eating much, drinking fluids with a bit of sugar in them (for example, sports drinks, warm honey and lemon) will give you some energy. For children who aren't eating much, ice blocks are a winner – fluid and a bit of energy in one go, as well as being soothing for a sore throat.
Warm, moist environment
Getting rid of the secretions that come with a cold, and unblocking your nose, can be as simple as getting in a hot bath or shower. You can also try inhaling steam the old fashioned way, over a basin with a towel covering your head.
For younger children, try using saline drops, available from the chemist – when placed in the nose, they relieve stuffiness and may make it easier for them to feed and sleep comfortably.
Nose sprays
There is some evidence that using nasal decongestants (such as otrivine) might help relieve symptoms, especially a blocked or stuffy nose, but be careful only to use them for a few days – longer than that, and you are likely to get a "rebound" worsening of your symptoms when you stop.
Honey
Again the research is currently limited, but it is thought that honey will not only soothe scratchy or sore throats, but its antibacterial properties may also help prevent secondary infections such as tonsillitis.
Echinacea, vitamin c and zinc
The jury is definitely still out as to the efficacy of these, but it is possible that, if used correctly, they could limit the number of days you are unwell for.
It's important to note that, although Consumer NZ has done a thorough review of most of the medications they looked at, for many of them there just isn't enough evidence to state that they actually DON'T work – there just may not be enough to prove that they DO. More research is needed before we can make that call.
Written by Dr Cathy Stephenson. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.