Persistent cold
All my life I've had colds, usually abouttwo a year. They last for maybe a couple of weeks then disappear. I've heard that's normal.
But this past year, I've had a cold that's lasted for months and months. Almost a year now. It simply won't go! And it's really getting me down.
I'm tired of having a blocked nose and a runny nose. Every day it subsides a little so I can breathe out of one nostril, but it's always 'there'. And a few hours later, the nasal passages are totally swelled up again. It makes me feel lousy.
I know there's no cure for a cold, but is there anything I can do to lessen the effects?
Answers:
Hi Daz,
You could try taking echinacea (you can buy it in a tincture or tablet form from any health shop.)
I take this when i have a cold and it usually lessens the symptoms and shortens the length of the cold.
Another option is to see your G.P. There may be some underlying cause as to why your immune system is so low at the moment. Once you have been checked out, then you can look into more complementary therapies which may help.
Hope you feel better soon. (i have a cold at the minute so i know how you feel....its rotten!!!)[:'(]
Kate
xxx
Answers:
Are you sure it's not an allergy?
Lesley
Answers:
It sounds more like allergic rhinitis to me. An easy way to find out - take an anti-histemine, if you feel better then it's an allergy.
Answers:
Dear Daz,
sounds like your immune system is run down, whether it be a 'cold' (viral) or an allergy.
I'll not nag about diet and exercise, the latter probably the last thing you feel like now, but would get stimulate circulation & lymphatic drainage.
Other immune boosters - The research is a bit disappointing forechinacea, but good for olive leaf extract. You can get these from any health food store, but the latter may need to be ordered at some.
I always found that I did better with the dried herbal preparations, than the tinctures, but everyone is different. Ideally, when messing with herbs I would advise consulting a herbalist. There are various types, so particularly recommend a 'Medical Herbalist'.
Should be a practioner list on here - - National Instititute of Medical Herbailsts.
Have to admit - I'm with the others, in that it sounds like a strong possibility of allergy / intolerance. Milk products are a classic for excess mucous, although if seasonal, then hayfever of sorts, and likely a specific pollen that is currently at it's peak in your general area or up wind.
I hear there where satellite photographs in the Daily Mail last week of a huge Birch tree pollen cloud heading our way from Scandinavia. Seems only just and fair, really after the whole acid rain thing we sent them a few decades ago.
Think there's a Bach flower rememedy called Birch (bit o lateral thinking), but that could be worth a try. If still struggling I highly recommend NAET - allergy elimination techniques.
Sugest checking the Allergy Forum -
Andrew.
Answers:
Ok, thanks people. I've bought some antihistamines and multivitamins. I'll see if they do any good. If not, I'll try echinacea or see my GP.
Answers:
I've been on antihistamines and multivitamins for a week, along with increased fruit consumption, and it hasn't improved :(
Answers:
There are other immune responses other than the classic allergy, which producesIgE & histamine.
There are the lower grade IgG,IgM & 'complement system' and I've just found out a paper on rhinitis where none of these were identified.
So I still think it's allergy / intolerance related or a chronic viral infection that your immune system is unable to beat into submission.
Of the allergy possibilities - it could even be to certain fruits that you've increased to combat the problem.[:'(]
Sorry - it's a tricky business, but good effort for starters.
Still suggest a peak in the Allergy Forum (link in Post above) and these may help;
[ul][*]
The Complete Guide to Food Allergy & Intolerance - Brostoff & Gamlin[/align][*]
Freedom from Environmental Sensitivities - Dr Devi Nambudripad (in fact any one of several of her books)[/align][/ul]
Andrew.
But this past year, I've had a cold that's lasted for months and months. Almost a year now. It simply won't go! And it's really getting me down.
I'm tired of having a blocked nose and a runny nose. Every day it subsides a little so I can breathe out of one nostril, but it's always 'there'. And a few hours later, the nasal passages are totally swelled up again. It makes me feel lousy.
I know there's no cure for a cold, but is there anything I can do to lessen the effects?
Answers:
Hi Daz,
You could try taking echinacea (you can buy it in a tincture or tablet form from any health shop.)
I take this when i have a cold and it usually lessens the symptoms and shortens the length of the cold.
Another option is to see your G.P. There may be some underlying cause as to why your immune system is so low at the moment. Once you have been checked out, then you can look into more complementary therapies which may help.
Hope you feel better soon. (i have a cold at the minute so i know how you feel....its rotten!!!)[:'(]
Kate
xxx
Answers:
Are you sure it's not an allergy?
Lesley
Answers:
It sounds more like allergic rhinitis to me. An easy way to find out - take an anti-histemine, if you feel better then it's an allergy.
Answers:
Dear Daz,
sounds like your immune system is run down, whether it be a 'cold' (viral) or an allergy.
I'll not nag about diet and exercise, the latter probably the last thing you feel like now, but would get stimulate circulation & lymphatic drainage.
Other immune boosters - The research is a bit disappointing forechinacea, but good for olive leaf extract. You can get these from any health food store, but the latter may need to be ordered at some.
I always found that I did better with the dried herbal preparations, than the tinctures, but everyone is different. Ideally, when messing with herbs I would advise consulting a herbalist. There are various types, so particularly recommend a 'Medical Herbalist'.
Should be a practioner list on here - - National Instititute of Medical Herbailsts.
Have to admit - I'm with the others, in that it sounds like a strong possibility of allergy / intolerance. Milk products are a classic for excess mucous, although if seasonal, then hayfever of sorts, and likely a specific pollen that is currently at it's peak in your general area or up wind.
I hear there where satellite photographs in the Daily Mail last week of a huge Birch tree pollen cloud heading our way from Scandinavia. Seems only just and fair, really after the whole acid rain thing we sent them a few decades ago.
Think there's a Bach flower rememedy called Birch (bit o lateral thinking), but that could be worth a try. If still struggling I highly recommend NAET - allergy elimination techniques.
Sugest checking the Allergy Forum -
Andrew.
Answers:
Ok, thanks people. I've bought some antihistamines and multivitamins. I'll see if they do any good. If not, I'll try echinacea or see my GP.
Answers:
I've been on antihistamines and multivitamins for a week, along with increased fruit consumption, and it hasn't improved :(
Answers:
There are other immune responses other than the classic allergy, which producesIgE & histamine.
There are the lower grade IgG,IgM & 'complement system' and I've just found out a paper on rhinitis where none of these were identified.
So I still think it's allergy / intolerance related or a chronic viral infection that your immune system is unable to beat into submission.
Of the allergy possibilities - it could even be to certain fruits that you've increased to combat the problem.[:'(]
Sorry - it's a tricky business, but good effort for starters.
Still suggest a peak in the Allergy Forum (link in Post above) and these may help;
[ul][*]
The Complete Guide to Food Allergy & Intolerance - Brostoff & Gamlin[/align][*]
Freedom from Environmental Sensitivities - Dr Devi Nambudripad (in fact any one of several of her books)[/align][/ul]
Andrew.