Cold Medicine

[Otter]

Does Cold Weather Cause Colds?

By Paula J. Wart

In the United States, colds and flu are more likely to occur during the fall and winter. The increase begins in late September and continues through April. Is it because of the cold air? No. Cold weather does not cause you to get sick. Here are a few things that actually have no effect on colds and flu:

* Cold weather
* Sudden weather changes
* Getting chilled
* Becoming overheated
* Exercising in the cold
* Having enlarged tonsils or adenoids
* Going outside with a wet head
* Cold feet

Studies funded by the National Institutes of Health found that these conditions have little or no effect on the development or severity of a cold.

So What Does Cause Colds and Flu?

Viruses and people cause colds and flu. People being in close proximity to other people, indoors, with windows shut tightly bring on cold and flu epidemics. School children are exposed to common winter illnesses because of the many children sharing classrooms, lunchrooms, and restrooms. Because the school term coincides with colder weather, many people mistakenly concluded that cold weather is the culprit.

Specific conditions that contribute to colds and flu include:

* Spending time indoors where the cold virus is easily spread
* Low humidity (dry air)
* Psychological stress
* Allergic disorders affecting your nose or throat
* Menstrual cycles

Cold- and flu-causing viruses survive for hours floating through the air and on doorknobs, hands, and other surfaces. Unless destroyed by washing, they wait around until they can gain entry through your nose, eyes, mouth, and cuts or scrapes on your skin.

Source:

1. The Common Cold. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 2001. Available online at: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ factsheets/cold.htm. Accessed December 5, 2004.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Otter

Does Cold Weather Cause Colds?

By Paula J. Wart

In the United States, colds and flu are more likely to occur during the fall and winter. The increase begins in late September and continues through April. Is it because of the cold air? No. Cold weather does not cause you to get sick. Here are a few things that actually have no effect on colds and flu:

* Cold weather
* Sudden weather changes
* Getting chilled
* Becoming overheated
* Exercising in the cold
* Having enlarged tonsils or adenoids
* Going outside with a wet head
* Cold feet

Studies funded by the National Institutes of Health found that these conditions have little or no effect on the development or severity of a cold.

That's strange because I always get them when the weather changes. It's like clockwork. I always take Zinc at the first sign of a cold, it's supposed to lessen the severity and duration of a cold. Seems to work OK.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

That's strange because I always get them when the weather changes. It's like clockwork. I always take Zinc at the first sign of a cold, it's supposed to lessen the severity and duration of a cold. Seems to work OK.

Maybe you should look at what else is happening in your environment during weather changes.... it may be that you're having slight allergies to weeds or pollen that is starting to bloom or die off during the weather change...

Sometimes the best treatment is to get outdoors and not stay couped up in the house during that time.... and drink lots and lots of water...

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

But a cold usually has to run itself out...and I do that with most common ills.
In fact I don't even fight fevers as it's the body doing its job killing whatever it is.

I have the same philosophy. My wife will chide me for not taking an aspirin when I have a headache, or not taking painkillers if I have a back problem. My response is that my body has a million years of evolutionary training in how to handle these things, and if my back tells me not to move around very fast, then I'm going to listen to it.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I have the same philosophy. My wife will chide me for not taking an aspirin when I have a headache, or not taking painkillers if I have a back problem. My response is that my body has a million years of evolutionary training in how to handle these things, and if my back tells me not to move around very fast, then I'm going to listen to it.

Good for you. Yep! I say all drugs are toxins...save them for the important stuff. But a massage or a chiro does a back good at times....and I'm all for those.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

Good for you. Yep! I say all drugs are toxins...save them for the important stuff. But a massage or a chiro does a back good at times....and I'm all for those.

Hell yeah! If you get a runny nose and cough, drop out of society and roll with it. No need to take something that's have you dried up, cough free, and productive, just so you can . . . oh. . . do your job without flinging your germs into the shared environment.

Capitalist pigdogs.

[Fish]

So many people underestimate the body's ability to heal itself....

[cdcox]

I find the side effects of cold medicines to be worse than the symptoms of the cold. The only exception is that I might consider taking Nasonex if drainage on the back of my throat is keeping me from sleeping. Nasonex doesn't have sigfnicant side effects.

[Amnorix]

I like Sudafed Extra Strength and Nyquil

[blueballs]

cough on me
when I get a fever
I get horny

[Duck Dog]

I use the Zicam nasal stuff. Seems to work very well.

[listopencil]

You need protein. Lots of protein. Check around your area to see if you can get some into you. You could probably get this done fairly quickly but it's best if you do it before you get sick. Maybe you can set up a system of protein delivery on a regular basis to coincide with a hot beef injection. Let me know if you can't find anyone to service you.