The Hindu Business Line : The winter curse

Colds and flu, particularly during the winter, start with sniffles and a few coughing bouts. But they can escalate to an unpleasant week of sickness or even land you in the hospital. The best course of action is to simply avoid getting sick in the first place, say health professionals. Before we realise that the heaviness in the head is about to take its toll, it's action time again. Most times, all we do is blow our nose and take a paracetamol for feverish pain. Young children and seniors sometimes seem confused during illness.

"A cold is a viral illness of the upper respiratory tract which may lead to sinus infection, bronchitis, or other secondary infections as your immunity decreases. Treating a cold aggressively at the first sign can help limit its severity or even stop it in its tracks," says Dr V.T. Balaraman, Retired Honorary, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Madras Medical College.

Experts advise starting with a good nutrition base to secure the body's immune system. To help build immunity you can eat less junk food and more citrus fruit — about 40 mg/day — which can provide nutrients such as vitamin C, E and Selenium (an antioxidant).

It's also beneficial to team up exercise with eating well, experts advise. "Exercise (through winter) helps because when you are active, chemicals are released in the body that could help activate your immune system, keeping you fit and helping you fight viral and bacterial infections," says Dr S. Subramanyam, a consulting family physician from Bangalore.

Adds Dr Rakesh Kumar, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, "Another way to avoid a possible infection is to avoid contact with individuals who are coughing or sneezing. Use disposable items if a family member is infected and wash hands frequently." As a preventative measure it is advisable that sick people stay home instead of going out for shopping or work since the virus is airborne.

If, by chance, the cold or flu finds its way to you, there are a few tricks you can take early on. Personal diet should include plenty of vitamin C, which includes oranges, grapes, tomato, cabbage, or vitamin C pills, vegetables such as broccoli, onions, sunflower seeds, garlic, avocado and whole grain.

If those preventive measures don't work and you're simply stuck with the cold or flu, experts advise drinking lots of liquids and soup to stay hydrated. "Once you have been exposed, you have to start with lots of fluids, take a decongestant and vitamin C," says Dr Balaraman.

Steam therapy decongestion is an inexpensive way to treat oneself during such conditions. Decongestant medications include prescription or over-the-counter `Aerway Vapocaps' that relieve nasal swelling, sinus pressure, and congestion. They work by reducing blood flow to the nasal membranes to improve airflow, lessen breathing through the mouth, decrease pressure in the sinuses and head, and ease discomfort. They do not treat the cause of inflammation or relieve a runny nose, but they help open the airway.

Decongestants are sometimes combined with a pain reliever like Crocin to relieve both sinus and cold/flu symptoms. The benefit of an added herbal inhalation is that you know all ingredients are fresh and natural.

An important ingredient in an herbal inhalant is essential oil. Essential oils add the scent and a pleasant effect besides uplifting and energising you. Peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptus and lemon oil are some esamples.

Various OTC formulation manufacturers have brought out natural steam inhalants by blending herbal ingredients such as eucalyptus oil, terpineol oil, chlorothymol, camphor and menthol, thus making it safe for infants too with fewer side-effects.

"The average cold lasts five to 10 days. After that, if your fever spike continues to persist, it is always better to check with a doctor," adds Dr Balaraman.