Common Cold - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

The common cold, also known as acute coryza, is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (respiratory tract includes: the nose, mouth, throat, and lungs.



It is the pathway through which air and gases are transported down into the lungs and back out of the body), caused by infection virus. More than 200 odd viruses can bring about a cold. It therefore occurs more often than all other diseases. The common cold is a name given to any of a number of short-lived infections of the nose and throat. All of them are highly contagious.

Here is a list of the viruses responsible for a common cold. Rhinoviruses are known to cause a third of all upper respiratory infections. Other common viruses that lead to stuffy heads and runny noses, which are common symptoms of a cold, include: adenoviruses, coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses and influenza viruses. All have similar symptoms. Sometimes they are called by other names, which are simply indicative of the specific part of the upper respiratory tract, which has been affected: rhinitis- affecting the nose; pharyngitis- the throat; or laryngitis- the voice box.

Apart from the virus that causes cold, a number of other conditions apparently increase the susceptibility to the disease. It has been noticed that people tend to catch colds mainly indoors. It has also been observed that people tend to get cold more during the colder months. The probable reason for this scenario is because of comparatively staying indoor more often thus living in proximity to other people’s cold viruses, with closed windows and lack of circulating air allowing the viruses to remain alive and within your environment. Fatigue, poor physical condition, some air pollutants, and perhaps chilling seem to give the virus a reason to subsist comfortably.

A person suffers from this disease at least three times in a year on an average. A common cold usually lasts from three to ten days. Children are susceptible to common cold because of their close contact with other children in daycare or school. Younger children also tend to cough without covering their mouths and do not regularly wash their hands. Adults tend to get fewer colds, as they grow older because they develop immunity to some of these viruses after being infected with them. For this reason, healthy adults average 2 to 4 colds a year, and those over age 60 tend to get even fewer.

Symptoms of Common Cold:

The symptoms of common cold usually surface after two to three days of being infected by the virus. The primary indications of a cold are a feeling of soreness of the throat and congestion of the nasal passage. Although the disease normally begins in the nose and throat, it gradually affects all parts of the body. The usual symptoms are running nose, teary eyes, sneezing, a rise in temperature, headache, sore throat, husky voice, chill, aches and pains in the body and loss of appetite. The skin around the nostrils may become sore.
Fever tends to be slightly low but can climb to 102 degrees Fahrenheit in infants and young children. Cold symptoms can last from 2 to 14 days. If symptoms occur often or last much longer than 2 weeks then it could be an allergy rather than a cold.
Colds occasionally can lead to bacterial infections of the middle ear or sinuses, requiring treatment with antibiotics.



High fever, significantly swollen glands, severe sinus pain, and a cough that produces mucus, may indicate a complication or more serious illness requiring a visit to a healthcare provider.

Causes of Common Cold:

The common cold results from exposure to the virus. These cold-causing viruses are present in large numbers in the nose and throat when you have a cold. The droplets that are expelled pass on the virus when talking, coughing, or sneezing. The intensity of the cold will however depend upon the state of health of the other person and environmental factors. The following factors will help the virus bloom into a full-fledged cold:

1. Lowered vitality, allergic disorders of the nose and throat, chilling of the body, lack of sleep, depression, fatigue and factors such as sudden changes in temperature, dust and other irritating inhalations are important causes contributing to the development of a cold.

2. Indulging in wrong food habits lead to excessive intake of starch, carbohydrates, proteins and other acid-forming foods that create toxic waste. A common cold is, therefore, nature’s simplest way of expelling toxic waste from the human system. The duration of the cold will depend on the quantum of poisons accumulated in the body and the speed with which they are expelled out of the system.

3. Colds are most contagious during the first few days of illness, when symptoms like congestion and sneezing are starting.

4. Direct contact with someone with a cold can easily spread the virus.

Diet for Common Cold:

A common cold can be treated by usage of traditionally accepted suppressive drugs like aspirin, codeine, etc but the relief from cold is but temporary in nature. Why you may wonder? . Because these suppressive drugs are so formulated that they restrain the elimination of toxic waste and force the toxic matter back to the tissues thus not expelling it out of the system. It is also advisable to consider medication almost immediately after being aware of symptoms indicating a common cold. There is the probability of terminating cold early because virus replication takes place during the initial symptoms. So nip the cold early in its bud. Once the virus has achieved a stronghold the drugs may not have any effect on them. Therefore being on week of medication usually cures common cold.

One of the more effective and time-tested treatments is a proper diet. As they say “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Nutrition and healthy eating habits supplemented by an adequate exercise regime can keep most bodily disorders at an arms distance. Here are few do-good food habits that can help build a resilient and healthy body:

Fasting:

Fasting is a good way to initiate any treatment. By fasting, the digestive organs get rest and all body mechanisms are cleansed and corrected. A complete fast is good for health, and the occasional intake of warm lemon juice during the period of fasting prevents flatulence .It is advisable to fast for two days and the consumption must be limited to warm water mixed with lemon juice and honey or fruit juice and hot water.

Fruit Juice Diet:

Follow the two-day fast with an exclusive fresh fruit juice fast. During this period one can indulge in a liquid diet largely comprising a variety of fresh fruit juice in large amounts. This is necessary to neutralize the acid condition of the blood and warm drinks are needed to help clear and kidneys. Pineapple juice in particular is highly beneficial. A warm water enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels during this period.

Fresh Fruit Diet:

Move to a relatively solid form of consumption after the exclusive juice diet. One can now resort to an intake of fresh fruits. This diet can adhered to for a period of three days. In this regimen one can consume three meals a day of fresh, juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruits, oranges, pineapples, peaches, melons or any other juicy fruit in season. Bananas and other dried or stewed or tinned fruits must be avoided. No other food items should be added to the above-mentioned diet as otherwise the nutritive value and effort towards a healthy regime would then be in vain

Well- balanced Diet:

An exclusive fruit diet can be gradually substituted by a well-balanced diet comprising mainly of three basic food groups namely: seeds, nuts & grains and vegetables &fruits. It is advisable to avoid, meat, fish, eggs, cheese and starchy foods for few days.

Emphasis during this period must be build and strengthen the system mainly by pursuing a diet, which should ideally provide the requisite vitamins and minerals the body needs. Vitamin C is a key nourishing factor. It protects the person from infection and acts as a harmless antibiotic. Vitamin C is largely found in citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, sprouted Chickpea and gram.

According to Dr. Linus Pauling, a noble prize-winning scientist, the regular use of “this vitamin in the optimum amount will prevent the common cold”. He estimates that one to two grams or 1000 mg. – 2000mg a day is approximately the optimum amount of ideal intake. He advises to swallow one or two 500 mg. of vitamin C at the appearance of first sign of the cold and continue the treatment by taking an additional, tablet very hour.

Other useful measures to combat common cold:

1. Garlic oil combined with onion juice, diluted with water and had several times a day, has been found, in studies to be extremely effective in the treatment of common cold.

2. Inhalation of steam to relieve the congestion of the nasal tissues is an effective method.

3. Gargling with hot water mixed with salt is beneficial for a sore throat.

4. Cold chest packs should be applied two or three times a day as they will relieve congestion of lungs and help in eliminating the accumulated mucus.

5. Other useful measures in the treatment of common cold are a mild sunbath, fresh air and deep breathing, brisk walks, sound sleep, change of clothing and habits as suitable to the season, so as to reduce the impact of fluctuations in weather.