Few cold remedies really work

Commercial and herbal remedies claim to help relieve stuffy, runny noses, sneezing and the aches and pains of a cold, but many just don't measure up and for good reason;
they mask the symptons and don't go to the source.

Late fall and winter are the times of year, doctors' offices swell with people sneezing and coughing from a cold virus that will usually last about a week.

If a cold lasts longer, it's likely because the sufferer has picked up a second or third cold virus. There are about 200 different cold viruses in the wild and nearly as many remedies.

Some people go to pharmacies for cough syrups and decongestants, while others head to health food stores.

Most medications don't attack a cold virus, they simply mask its symptoms.

"So there may be a little bit of help there, but in the long run what you got is what you got and it's got to run its course," said Dr. Ed Papp, a family physician in Edmonton.

Natural remedies like Echinacea and ginseng are popular, but don't have much scientific proof. They may help, but so will rest and a healthy diet, said Tapan Basu, a professor of nutritional biochemistry at the University of Alberta.

Basu helped to develop Cold FX, a ginseng extract that also won't cure a cold. It's designed to boost the immune system, he said.

"When you have a cold your immune system is down, so you need to take care of your nutrient intakes, but your appetite is gone," said Basu.

Chicken soup may help because it's warm, nutritious and easy on the stomach. And just might build up your immune system as well.

Avoiding a cold altogether by washing your hands frequently is often the best strategy. Try not to shock your body with extreme temperature changes. Your body needs to be 98.6 degrees.

If that fails, lots of fluid and rest remains a doctor's best advice.

Diet plays a big roll in your susceptiblity as well.

Some have noted that colds coincide with large Thanks Giving and Holiday meals that tend to lower the bodies immune system.

Massive doses of Vitamin C in natural forms such as pure cranberry juice or lemon juice provide a natural antihistamine to unclog your nose and sinuses.

Natural Vitamin C and avoiding sugar when you have a cold can really shorten a cold. Getting enough sleep can really shorten a cold's duration or can help you avoid them altogether.