It’s all in your head
One of the best things about working in a newsroom is information shared by colleagues. When you cover health, a lot of the conversation centers around medical conditions. When it’s winter, that means the common cold.
The Bloomberg health team recently turned to what w̶o̶r̶k̶s̶ we use in hopes of preventing and treating infection. I figured a fact check was in order.
Bottom line: There’s no silver bullet. The only way out is through. But you may be able to hasten the trip. Slightly. Your mileage may vary.
The approach that got the most love among the US health crew was zinc, especially when used early. There appears to be evidence to back that up. While zinc doesn’t prevent incipient colds, reduce their overall number or lessen their severity, there is some data showing it could shave a day or two from the misery of a cough and runny nose.
Vitamin C was No. 2 on the US list. It helps with healing, the formation of bones and muscle and it may even improve mood. Globally, sales exceed $2 billion. But a cold? The science is much less robust. It doesn’t prevent them, though studies suggest it could trim their duration by 8% for adults — roughly half a day. Children may benefit more.
There are also products like Emergen-C and Airborne that combine vitamins and minerals to boost the immune system. I’m starting to see a research trend here: There’s no impact on prevention, but some suggestion that these supplements could curb length and severity.
Other alternatives from the global Bloomberg health team include hot water or tea – willow bark, linden flower, fennel or thyme – perhaps with honey and/or lemon. Chicken soup remains popular. One colleague suggested hanging an onion bag next to the bed. (The US National Onion Association says this isn’t a proven deterrent.)
Echinacea may help with prevention, but you have to take it regularly for months to prevent 1 out of 10 colds, says Bruce Barrett, a family physician who’s researched the topic for years at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Barrett recommends that you nurture yourself with regular exercise, a good diet and plenty of sleep. Starting to feel that tickle in your throat? Dial back your stress and don’t overdo it. He suggests cancelling half your meetings and paring down your workout.
“Being healthy is the main way to avoid infection, and reduce the severity and duration of illness when you do get sick,” he says, pointing out that some people don’t get infected even when they are intentionally exposed to a virus in a lab. Those people generally report lower stress levels, he says.
In the end, you should do what makes you feel better. That’s subjective, and personal. But do cover your cough and wash your hands, especially at the beginning of a cold when you’re most infectious.
As for me, I just suffer. — Michelle Fay Cortez