Some tips for treating coughs and colds
The common cold – what is it?   Remedies Coughs, sore throats and hoarseness Prevention Tracheitis and bronchitis
The common cold – what is it? The common cold is one of the most frequent illnesses during the time of year when the weather is wet and cold: the symptoms are a sore throat, a cough (tracheitis), catarrh, bronchitis, fever, fatigue and weakness. In particular, a cold affects the upper respiratory tract. Starting at the mouth and pharynx, it can go down via the larynx to the trachea and the bronchial tubes. Viruses and bacteria can only become established and spread if our immune system has been weakened. Germs only have a chance when our resistance is lowered.
Coughs, sore throats and hoarseness The typical symptoms at the beginning of a cold - usually caused by a viral infection - are difficulty in swallowing, a tickle in your throat, and the urge to clear your throat. The mucous membranes are inflamed and then bacteria often become established there too. If catarrh then affects the vocal cords, you will be hoarse as well. When you have a cough it is a sure sign that the upper respiratory tract has been affected by some "illness" - unless it has been caused by swallowing something the wrong way. The cough reflex forces out solid particles or mucous at high speed, thus clearing the air passages.
Tracheitis and bronchitis When the trachea is inflamed because of a virus, you'll get a cough that may be accompanied by a pain in the chest or fever. At the beginning you will have a hacking, dry cough. Later there will be phlegm as well. If the infection moves downwards it will attack the two branches of the trachea and the bronchial walls will become inflamed. These walls are covered with cells which have millions of cilia (like extremely fine hairs). The cells help to moisten and warm the air we breathe, while the cilia remove dust particles, bacteria and viruses. If there is inflammation, the body increases the secretion of mucous to fight the infection. If you cough up transparent white phlegm, this shows that your body has been successful in fighting the virus and the bacteria. Otherwise, you will have a chesty cough with purulent yellow phlegm.
Remedies The common cold can usually be treated by self-medication: Sweating it out: to strengthen the body's resistance the patient should be resting, covered with a warm blanket. Then hot camomile tea should be taken, or some other drink which will make the patient perspire profusely. (Be careful when treating elderly people in this way, or those suffering from heart ailments or influenza - in such cases a doctor should be consulted.) Relieving the urge to cough: to keep the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat moist, and to counteract a dry cough, it helps if you suck cough drops with cooling and soothing ingredients such as eucalyptus or menthol. Rubbing your throat or chest with menthol- and camphor-based ointments, for example: such ointments are effective not only when they penetrate the skin but also when their active ingredients are inhaled. Moist atmosphere: dry air in the rooms is bad for anyone suffering from a cold. That's why it's important to keep the atmosphere moist and to turn off the heating in the bedrooms at night. For further information ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Prevention Preventive measures should be aimed at strengthening the body's resistance: start to toughen yourself up when the weather is warm, by going swimming, for example, taking a sauna regularly or having cold showers. wet clothing (underwear, swimwear) should be changed immediately. make sure you are dressed to suit the weather (clothing should be neither too light nor too warm) try to eat food that is rich in vitamins - especially during the winter months. suck throat pastilles and cough drops to keep your mouth closed, thus preventing the cold air getting in. Cold air would make your mucous membranes dry. keep away from crowded places during the time of year when colds are prevalent.