Colds

[genius101]

I have got the worst cold ever I don't think I can possibly blow my nose anymore...
It leads me to think where does it all come from - meaning mucus?

How can I possibly blow my nose then 2 seconds later have a nose full again?

Can anyone explain this wonderful work of the body to me???

[LazyGun]

Mucus is good for you, though I appreciate you might not be thinking that way right at the moment, genius.

Glands in the nose and sinuses are continually producing it (1-2 quarts a day average!), and it clears away all the detritus, pollen, particles, viruses, bacteria and all the other crud in the atmosphere. When the mucous membranes are irritated, such as with the presence of a virus, the production of mucous soars in an effort to clear the alien presence.

Unfortunately, if it is due to a virus, there is a little you can do except suffer stoically until the cold has run its course.
Avoid additional irritants, such as cigarette smoke and sudden temperature changes, and make sure you keep hydrated, to keep the mucous as thin as possible.

[chazza]

This doesnt really explain the problem but might help - if you can get an anti histimine it will reduce the amount of mucus in your nose!

[LazyGun]

antihistamines may be a good idea if the cause is an allergy or similar... I wouldnt recommend it where the cause is a cold though.

[Quizmonster]

I'm sure LazyGun's explanation is right, but I have always been convinced that - during a cold - there is a full reservoir of the stuff in the middle of the head and, every time you move or bend, some of it comes slopping out and down through the nose! Get well soon!

[unruliejulie]

i know exactly how you are feeling genius! Im the same, came down with it on Boxing day! Are you feeling as bloody miserable as me?

[chazza]

Antihistimines are recommended when you have a cold. It restricts the histimine production and reduces the mucus. Try it and see!

[LazyGun]

I dont particularly want to get into a running argument with you here chazza. Antihistamines may have a transient benefit in reducing the symptoms of a cold, such a runny nose or whatever... but they serve absolutely no purpose whatsoever in ridding the body of the virus thats causing the cold. Further, by using an antihistamine, you may in fact be interfering with the bodies natural defence mechanism in trying to remove the virus thats causing the cold, thus prolonging it.

"The way you treat your runny nose should depend on whether or not it is caused by a cold or an allergy.

For a runny nose associated with an allergy, use an antihistamine that contains diphenhydramine (Benadryl�), chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimeton�) or clemastine (Tavist�). (You'll also find these ingredients in many combination OTC products, such as Dimetapp�) These same drugs should be used when a sinus problem is triggered by an allergy.

For a runny nose caused by a cold, antihistamines are not recommended. Despite their presence in many OTC cold medications, they serve no function for the common cold. Antihistamines work by blocking the release of histamines into the body, but cold symptoms are caused by a virus, not by histamine release. The antihistamines actually block the flow of mucus from the nose, the same mucus that is ridding the body of the virus. Studies have shown that antihistamines have little or no benefit in the relief of cold symptoms"

[chazza]

I dont want to argue either, I was surprised and sceptical too when my uncle (a dr) recommended it to me as well so I understand why you weren't sure of it.

Since he has told me that, I have read it in a few health articles in papers etc (maybe it is a new discovery) which were written by doctors. Either way it does help and doesn't do any harm

[LazyGun]

Chazza, its not a new discovery, and I would contend that using antihistamines to treat the symptoms of for example a runny nose in a cold serves absolutely no purpose whatsoever , since all you are doing is transiently treating the symptom, not the underlying cause. Antihistamines can also cause drowsiness as a side effect.
pseudoephedrine on the other hand (sudafed) is a decongestant and has been shown to be good at relieving some of the more annoying symptoms of a cold. As with all drugs, it can have some side effects however, so is not recommended for anyone with high blood pressure or heart disease.

Anyway, this thread is in danger of emulating genius' nose, so I will sign off now.

[chazza]

Here's a wee article from the NHS which better illustrates my point:
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.a spx?articleId=494&PrintPage=1

Quote:
"Antihistamines can help to ease the symptoms of a cold because one of the side effects of some antihistamines is that they can help dry up mucus. Examples of antihistamines used in cold remedies are chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine and triprolidine. Doctors don�t usually recommend taking an antihistamine alone to help ease cold symptoms. However, antihistamines are often used in cold medicines along with a painkiller or an oral decongestant.

Antihistamines may cause drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, difficulty passing urine, or blurred vision. They may also interact with other drugs that cause drowsiness, such as alcohol and some antidepressants and could lead to problems for people with glaucoma or prostate problems. You should check with a pharmacist or your GP before taking cold remedies containing antihistamines"

So it does dry up the mucus in a cold but can have side effects so check with your GP first!

PS If you google "cold remedies" and "antihistamine" you'll find that most cold remedies contain antihistamines as well as decongestants, whose stimulating properties counteract the drowsiness of the antihistamine

[genius101]

Thanks for all the answers guys didn't mean to cause an argument along the way.

I have been so ill and still can't get rid of it and trust me I have tried everything.

Knowing it's purpose makes it a little more bareable...

Ta, unruliejulie sorry to hear your ill but it's nice to know I'm not the only one