Cold

General description of the disease

The common cold is a respiratory viral pathology of the upper and lower respiratory tract. The cold season in our country lasts from October to April, as the lack of sunlight causes the activity of viruses. During this period, an adult is sick on average 2-3 times.

As such, the term “cold” in medicine does not exist. Signs of all types of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections fit this definition.

Causes of colds

The common cold refers to respiratory infections, the development of which is provoked by viruses or pathogenic bacteria. In the cold season, in wet weather, the risk of catching a cold increases, because hypothermia weakens the body’s immune defenses.

The incidence of colds depends on the state of the person’s immune system. People with reduced immunity get colds much more often. The following factors provoke the likelihood of getting a cold:

• genetic predisposition – a special structure of the respiratory tract, which is inherited;
• stress – provoke the production of cortisol, which reduces the protective properties of the mucous membranes;
• abuse alcoholic beverages and smoking;
• physical inactivity and overeating;
• work in production with increased dustiness, smoke, with chemicals. These professional factors negatively affect the work of the bronchi;
• AIDS and congenital immunodeficiency;
• severe chronic pathologiesthat weaken the immune system;
• unventilated rooms create all conditions for the multiplication of bacteria and the spread of viruses;
• haphazard reception antibiotics and hormonal drugs;
• pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, since the state of immunity directly depends on the state of the stomach and intestines.

Pathogenic bacteria or viruses enter the human body through the respiratory tract, they enter the mucous membranes and begin to produce toxins. As a rule, the period between infection and the onset of the manifestation of the disease lasts no more than 2 days.

Cold symptoms

Typical signs of a cold include:

1. 1 stuffy nose, sneezing, heavy nasal discharge^[4];
2. 2 a tickling sensation, cough and sore throat ^[3];
3. 3 aching headache;
4. 4 weakness, fatigue;
5. 5 lacrimation;
6. 6 hoarseness of voice;
7. 7 aches in the body;
8. 8 chills;
9. 9 increased sweating;
10. 10 elevated temperature;
11. 11 redness of the sclera.

Complications of colds

With a cold, there is a danger of a bacterial infection and then a common cold can turn into a sore throat or give such complications:

• heart diseases – Untreated angina can cause malfunctioning of the heart valves, can cause arrhythmia and acute myocarditis, up to the development of heart failure;
• chronic fatigue syndrome develops with a long chronic course of infection, for example, with sinusitis. After the patient has recovered for up to 2 months, severe weakness, low efficiency, fatigue, night sweating, dizziness may disturb;
• joint diseases – Streptococcus bacteria trigger autoimmune processes in the patient’s body, swelling, redness and pain appear in the joints, polyarthritis develops;
• pneumonia can occur after diseases of the upper respiratory tract;

Prevention of colds

Preventive measures that help reduce the number of colds include:

1. 1 varied nutrition and good sleep;
2. 2 hardening, which should be started in summer;
3. 3 taking vitamin complexes in autumn and spring;
4. 4 taking preventive drugs during an epidemic;
5. 5 if possible, avoid physical overload and stressful situations;
6. 6 avoid hypothermia, wear warm clothes in cold weather;
7. 7 humidify the air in rooms where the heater is operating;
8. 8 timely treat the first symptoms of a cold;
9. 9 regular walks in the fresh air;
10. 10 during an epidemic, wear protective maxi in crowded places;
11. 11 wash your hands more often and do not touch your face with your hands;
12. 12 if there is a patient in the house, then you should isolate him in a separate room, allocate a separate towel and dishes.

Cold treatment in mainstream medicine

In order to prevent complications from a cold, treatment should be started when the first symptoms appear. It should be remembered that an increased body temperature helps the body fight infection, so you should not knock it down until the thermometer readings do not exceed 38-38.5 degrees.

To get rid of toxins and dilute phlegm, you should drink as much warm tea, fruit drinks and fruit drinks as possible. At low temperatures, it is useful to soar your feet daily, take vitamin complexes. It is very important to adhere to bed rest in case of a cold, you should not carry it “on your feet”, this will increase the risk of complications.

For colds, physiotherapeutic procedures are effective: inhalation, UHF, tube, laser. Antibacterial drugs are connected when a bacterial infection is attached.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!