cold facts

A study, by researchers at the Cardiff University in England, was conducted in 2005 on 180 volunteers. Some were forced to keep their bare feet in icy water for long periods, and others stayed dry. Within five days, 29 percent of those in the cold group developed sore throats and runny noses, compared with less than 10 percent in the second group.

One theory is that many people harbor mild dormant infections in the cold season that produce more severe symptoms when frigid temperatures lower immunity. According to Dr. Eccles, "If they become chilled this causes a pronounced constriction of the blood vessels in the nose and shuts off the warm blood that supplies the white cells that fight infection. The reduced defenses in the nose allow the virus to get stronger and common cold symptoms develop. Although the chilled subject believes they have `caught a cold' what has in fact happened is that the dormant infection has taken hold." (The need to stay warm is something I have been speaking of for years! Which brings on a corollary: fever - i.e., a very warm body - facilitates the destruction of virus and bacteria; however, it can also cause mental dysfunction - among other symptoms - if it causes the body temperature to rise too far or stay up for too long - thus, the necessary use of antipyretics.)

There are at least 200 known viruses that cause colds. Now how do you immunize for that? (I think, by following two time Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling's theory: the vitamin's versatility in illness prevention arises from its role in the manufacture of collagen, the protein that gives shape to connective tissues and strength to skin and blood vessels. An assertion: it may also create a more acidic therefore resistant, body environment, inhospitable to viruses. Indian medicine suggests chewing up a clove of fresh raw garlic - not easy; its chemical components may facilitate blood flow, therefore giving better access to white blood cells for ready viral destruction! Elderberry is another promising remedy, especially if taken throughout the season).

Dr. Kazunari Satomura, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Kyoto University says that daily gargling with plain water appears to fend off colds among healthy people, but an American scientist finds the news hard to swallow. (Personally, based on Indian health practice, I would use a solution of warm salt water)

According to the US NIH, seasonal changes in relative humidity also may affect the prevalence of colds. The most common cold-causing viruses survive better when humidity is low - usually during the colder months of the year. Cold weather also may make the inside lining of your nose drier and more vulnerable to viral infection. Staying hydrated can help prevent infection from taking hold in the first place.When you're dehydrated, tiny cracks form in your nasal membranes in which virus-filled droplets take up residence and promote infection. Recommended daily water intakes are 2.2 liters (nine cups) for women and three liters (13 cups) for men. Drinking fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, even tea and coffee also contributes to daily water requirements. (As Dadi put it: pani peyo pishi karo!)

A recent study from the University of Nebraska Medical Center suggests that good old-fashioned chicken soup has anti-inflammatory powers that could ease a sore throat and also may prevent congestion in the lungs. Even in diluted amounts, chicken soup inhibits the ability of certain white blood cells to participate in the body's inflammatory response, which is involved in some cold symptoms, such as irritated airways and phlegm production.