Often say what to do. Frequent colds

If you catch a cold more than six times a year, you can safely classify yourself as a cohort of frequently ill people. Adult healthy man should not get sick more than twice a year, and this should occur during seasonal epidemics of SARS and.

The common cold is contagious and is caused by exposure to cold.

However, in addition to hypothermia, factors contributing to the common cold are also weakened immunity, draft, rain and a number of other reasons. Regardless, if you think you get colds frequently, such as more than once a quarter, see your doctor.

For colds diseases other than influenza and SARS, include, nasopharyngitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, herpes simplex, acute bronchi.

Frequent colds are the weakening of the body, the reasons for which are two and they are interconnected. This is a deterioration in immunity and allergies. Allergy provokes decreased immunity, and a decrease in immunity initiates the development of allergies.

Actually, this list is a hint of what needs to be done if you have reduced immunity and are haunted by colds. The first steps for prevention of frequent colds are diagnostics of immunity and allergy.

The first symptoms of reduced immunity are frequent colds, deterioration in performance, drowsiness, depression, fungal diseases , fragility of hair and nails, dry skin, rashes, "female" diseases and digestive disorders. However, for correct diagnosis It is better to visit an immunologist-allergist.

It is necessary to identify allergens that affect the decrease in immunity and the deterioration of the body as a whole. The easiest way to resolve this issue is to skin tests and detect allergies. After the appointment of treatment, measures to increase immunity begin.

To this end vitamins, physiotherapy, restorative procedures are used, walking on fresh air. Often help sedatives from herbal medicines.

Immunity may be closely related to the state of the microflora of the intestinal tract. In the case of a deficiency of bifido- and lactobacilli, immunity is necessarily reduced, which leads to frequent acute respiratory viral infections and allergic pathologies.

Nutrition is a must for boosting immunity. get the animals and vegetable proteins , without which cells immune system function very poorly. In addition, the entire spectrum of mineral-vitamins is also needed, and especially vitamins C, A, E and group B.

Squirrels can be found in fish, meat, eggs, legumes, nuts. Vitamins of the group They are found not only in meat and liver, but also in dairy products, raw yolks, bran and wholemeal bread, nuts and seeds. Vitamin E - vegetable oil, germinated wheat grains, avocados. Vitamin A - in bright vegetables and fruits, these are tomatoes, carrots, pumpkins, apricots, paprika. A lot of this substance in eggs, butter, liver.

Vitamin C-in sauerkraut, citrus, kiwi, wild rose, cranberry.

Do not forget about the daily routine, physical activity and hardening, and methods physical development and hardening on the Internet mono find a set.

There are also pharmacological methods raising immunity. For preventive purposes, it should be consumed up to three times a year. natural adaptogens. These are the golden root, eleutherococcus, ginseng, aloe, echinacea. It is necessary to follow the dosage that is on the package, use these tinctures in the morning and evening. In the evening, you should brew lemon balm, or motherwort, to reduce the impact of stress on the immune system.

Cold is a collective name large group acute respiratory infections, manifested by catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and a very diverse symptomatology. If a person is in good health and good immunity He rarely gets sick. And an organism with a weakened immune system is a constant focus of infection with infected microbes.

In the article, we will consider how a cold occurs, what are the first signs and symptoms, as well as what treatment for adults is most effective.

What is a cold?

The common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper Airways. Immediately, we note that the term is colloquial, while under it are hidden infectious diseases- SARS (), rarely -.

Infection occurs by airborne droplets or household contact, therefore, it is advisable to be close to the infected in medical mask and disinfect all indoor surfaces daily.

According to the WHO, an adult gets sick with colds three times a year, a schoolchild about 4 times a year, and a preschooler up to 6 times a year.

Five percent of those who catch a viral infection develop a cold, and only 75 percent feel its symptoms. The same pathogen can cause only a mild headache in someone, and a severe runny nose and cough in someone.

Causes

The common cold is a highly contagious infection that spreads easily between people through even minimum quantity pathogens that enter the integumentary membranes of the respiratory tract. Such contagiousness is explained by the tropism (affinity) of the viral agent to the tissues of the human body.

Among the most common causative agents of the common cold are viruses - rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), reoviruses, enteroviruses (), influenza and parainfluenza viruses.

To become infected with a cold, or SARS, two basic rules must be followed:

weakened immune system
entry into the infection.

Weakened immunity can occur not only with hypothermia, but also in other situations:

Strong stress. Nervous shock and anxiety reduce the body's ability to protect, so they can lead to serious illness.
Constant fatigue. sleep deprivation excessive loads during operation also reduce resistance.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. correct regular meals not only helps to control weight, but also helps protect against colds.

Source of infection: more often it is a patient with symptoms of a cold, sometimes a carrier of a virus (adenovirus, etc.) or bacteria (pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae,). Maximum contagiousness in the first days of the disease, however, the infectious period can begin 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms and last 1.5-2, and sometimes more weeks (for example, adeno viral infection).

By type of infection:

Viral infection is transmitted only from person to person. That is, before the disease there should have been contact with a sick person.
bacterial infection can be transmitted not only from person to person. Bacteria are everywhere around us. Sometimes even those bacteria that have so far lived peacefully inside the body are to blame for an acute respiratory disease. But the immune system weakened as a result of hypothermia, and a common bacterium caused the disease.

incubation period for the common cold(from infection to the mucous membrane and until the first signs appear) is about 2 days.

First signs

Colds rarely start suddenly high temperature body and weakness, "knocking down." It usually starts suddenly with a sore throat followed by other symptoms:

Watery discharge from the nose
sneezing
Increased fatigue and weakness
Cough - dry or wet

The malaise increases gradually, the temperature increases during the first day after the onset of symptoms of a cold. There may be pain in the muscles and joints.

cold symptoms in adults

So, common list The symptoms for any kind of cold are:

General weakness, malaise;
Aches in muscles and joints;
Sore throat and sore throat, redness of the throat;
Cough;
Eye pain, tearing;
Headache;
Elevated body temperature up to 38.5 ° C;
Increased sweating, chills;
Lack of appetite;
Insomnia;
Increase lymph nodes.

During a cold, the work of the glands responsible for the separation of protective mucus, which is stored in several cavities of the skull, is disrupted. When the immune system begins to fight viruses, a lot of "waste" is formed - toxins that need to be flushed out of the body. As a result, the amount of mucous secretions increases several times, but the glands cannot regulate them normally, so the fluid stagnates in the sinuses.

That is why colds are characteristic at the same time severe runny nose with which the body seeks to get rid of the infection.

In the table, we will take a closer look at each of the symptoms.

	Symptoms
Temperature	Temperature with a cold is one of the main signs of the disease. Depending on the size of the numbers, it is customary to distinguish: subfebrile values (37.1-38.0 ° C), febrile (38.1-39.0 ° C), pyretic (39.1-40.0°C) and hyperpyretic (above 40.0°C). The temperature reaction depends on the functioning of the human immune system. In one case, it can practically not rise, and in the other, it can “jump” sharply already in the first hours of the illness.
Intoxication	A symptom caused by exposure to organs and tissues of toxins of pathogens or their own substances produced in order to fight infection. Intoxication manifests itself in the form of: myalgia (pain in the muscles), dizziness weakness, nausea, sleep disturbance.
Cough	A cough is rarely the first sign of a cold. Most often, it begins some time after the onset of a runny nose, sore throat and fever.
A sore throat	Painful sensations can vary in intensity - from tolerable to very strong, making it difficult to swallow food and speak. Patients are also concerned about sore throat, coughing.
Runny nose	Nasal congestion is not only the first, but also almost the main symptom of a cold, by which it can be distinguished, for example, from. On the first day of the progression of the disease, the separated secret is transparent and liquid. The discharge is copious, quite often causes sneezing, as well as itching in the nose with reddening of the eyes. If symptoms such as: Pain on the right and left of the nose, in the region of the bridge of the nose; nasal voice; Nasal congestion does not go away even after taking medications. So, the usual runny nose turned into serious complication- sinusitis, etc. in this case, it is necessary to prescribe antibiotics.
Headache	It can be constant, intensify with increasing temperature. agonizing headache characteristic of exacerbation and is one of the typical symptoms.

On the second or third day, the symptoms begin to subside, and the patient begins to feel better. On the third day, the patient with a cold begins to recover. For a complete recovery from the moment of the disease, it takes 5-7 days, depending on the degree, the state of the immune system and the approach to treating the disease.

So, summarizing all of the above, reason to see a doctor for a cold should serve:

early childhood patient (up to 3 years, especially infants);
intractable temperature over 38 ° for more than 3 days;
unbearable headache, throbbing local headache;
the appearance of a rash on the trunk and limbs;
the appearance of a bacterial component of the discharge (yellowish and greenish color nasal mucus, phlegm, severe sore throat), barking cough;
severe weakness and pain in chest when coughing;
elderly patients over 65 years of age;
persons with chronic bacterial foci (, sinusitis and others);
people with comorbidities(onco-, hematological patients, hepatic, renal pathology).

Complications

The common cold is a disease full recovery in which occurs in the vast majority of cases, but complications still occur. The most common is a prolonged cold, which means the presence of symptoms after two weeks.

Possible complications of a cold in adults:

Appearance severe pain in one or both ears, hearing loss, fever indicates. Symptoms mean that the infection has moved from the nasal cavity to the ear cavity.
Inflammation paranasal sinuses nose (, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis) - another complication of a cold. At the same time, a person experiences severe nasal congestion, a runny nose does not go away for a long time, but only worsens. The voice becomes nasal, pains appear at the site of the disease (in the forehead and bridge of the nose, on the left or right side nose).
For as a consequence of a cold, a cough that worsens at night is characteristic. At first it may be dry and rough, then it becomes moist and mucus begins to form. With bronchitis, unlike and, rough, whistling and buzzing dry rales appear, hard breathing, as well as coarse bubbling moist rales.
Complications of the common cold include inflammation of the lymph nodes - lymphadenitis. The lymph nodes in the neck are most commonly affected.

Diagnostics

If you have or only suspect the development of a cold, you should not delay for a long time to seek advice from doctors such as a general practitioner. A doctor will usually diagnose a cold based on a description of the symptoms and findings during a physical examination.

Laboratory investigations are generally not performed unless there are concerns about another medical condition, such as bacterial disease or potential complications.

Cold treatment at home

Actually healthy body he himself is able to cope with the disease, so all the patient has to do is help his body cope with the disease. Need to ensure bed rest excluding serious physical exertion.

There are several rules that should not be violated when treating a cold:

Bed and semi-bed rest. This is necessary for the body to accumulate strength to fight the infection, as well as to prevent a secondary infection from attaching to a person. Also this is preventive measure on non-proliferation of pathogenic microflora in places of frequent stay of the patient;
If going to work is inevitable, then you should beware of increased physical activity, as this can adversely affect the activity of the heart and blood vessels;
Abundant warm drink - green or black tea herbal decoctions- promotes the elimination of toxins from the body;
Balanced diet with an increase in the amount of vitamins, the rejection of alcohol, spicy, fatty, fried foods. The cooking option is also important - in order not to injure the sore throat, it is better to choose broths, soft food of moderate temperature, which will not irritate the mucous membrane;
You can not bring down the temperature if it has not reached 38 degrees. Although its increase is associated with chills and other unpleasant sensations, it is with its help that the body fights bacteria and viruses. During chills, the body produces interferon, a protein that effectively resists infection. The higher the temperature, the more it is, and the faster body cope with illness;
When severe congestion nose and cough it is important to position your head higher during a night's rest, that is, sleep in a half-sitting position. With this position of the body, nasal mucus and coughing are much less annoying.

Medicines for treatment

On the pharmacy shelves are presented antiviral drugs prescribed for colds:

Amizon;
Anaferon;
Arbidol;
Ingavirin;
Influcid;
Kagocel;
Oseltamivir;
Rimantadine;
Tamiflu.

We constantly monitor the temperature during a cold, if it does not rise above 38 and the state of health is normal - do not take antipyretic drugs, the heat destroys viruses and microbes. It is necessary to resort to antipyretic drugs for the treatment of colds only in cases where the temperature is above 38 ° C

common and effective means to lower the temperature are soluble preparations based on paracetamol:

Coldrex;
Theraflu;
Fervex;
Pharmacitron.

Nazol - a convenient spray, 2-3 r / day is used;
Nazol Advance - convenience in the form of a spray, contains essential oils, applied 2 r / day;
Nazivin - comfortable shapes for adults, babies;
Tizin - drops, contain essential oils, effective for viscous nasal discharge.
Lazolvan nasal spray (thinns nasal mucus).
Pinosol ( oil solution) drops and spray.

Reception Feature vasoconstrictor drops into the nose: the course should not exceed 5-7 days, otherwise the drugs will cease to act, and the nasal mucosa will atrophy.

Antihistamines are drugs used in the treatment of allergies. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, therefore, they relieve signs of inflammation: swelling of the mucous membranes, nasal congestion. New generation drugs such as semprex (claritin), zyrtec, fenistil do not cause drowsiness.

Cough. With a strong dry cough, apply: "Codelac", "Sinekod". For liquefaction of sputum - "Ascoril", "ACC" (ACC). To remove sputum from the respiratory tract - plantain syrup, Tussin.

Antibiotics are used only when bacterial complications , in relation to viruses, they are absolutely useless. Therefore, during a cold they are not prescribed.

The fact is that antibiotics suppress the immune system, destroy beneficial microflora intestines, so only a specialist can decide whether the expected benefit from the use of antibiotics outweighs the harm they cause.

Washing the nose for a cold

Isotonic (saline) solution. The dosage should be 0.5-1 teaspoon per 200 ml boiled water. Salt prevents the growth and reproduction of pathogens, thins sputum and promotes its removal.
Soda or iodine-soda solution. Prepared in the same concentration. Soda creates an alkaline environment in the nasal cavity, which is unfavorable for the growth of colonies of pathogenic microorganisms.

Gargling

For gargling with a cold at home, you can use:

Salt, soda solutions;
Breast fees prepared independently or purchased at a pharmacy;
propolis tincture;
Gargle with hydrogen peroxide. It needs to be diluted by taking 2 teaspoons in 50 ml warm water. You need to use the remedy 3-5 times a day until you feel that it has become easier.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies for colds are almost always included in the treatment regimen. respiratory diseases due to its beneficial properties.

At the first symptoms, it is useful to prepare for treatment carrot juice and stir in it a gruel of 3-5 cloves of garlic. Take medicine for half a glass 3-4 times a day, an hour before meals for five days.
Foot baths. If the disease is accompanied without fever, then mustard can be added to the water. To do this, add one tablespoon of dry powder per 7 liters. Dip your feet in the water and hold until the water begins to cool. After that, dry them well and put woolen socks on your feet.
Mix 30 g sea buckthorn oil , 20 g of fresh marigold juice, 15 g of melted cocoa butter, 10 g of honey, 5 g of propolis. With a runny nose, moisten a cotton swab in this composition and insert it into the nose for 20 minutes.
Pour 1 teaspoon dry crushed dandelion roots 1 cup boiling water, insist in a sealed container in a boiling water bath for half an hour, cool, strain. Take in the same way as infusion for a cold.
Viburnum berry is able to provide a unique therapeutic effect. For getting positive effect you can make a decoction from the product, using for this a spoonful of berries in a glass of water. It is desirable to drink the resulting fruit drink in a warm form and with honey.
With a runny nose, instill 3-5 drops of aloe in each nostril 4-5 times a day, tilting the head back and massaging the wings of the nose after instillation.
Relieve sore throat and linden flowers will help get rid of cough. Linden tea: two teaspoons of lime blossom per cup of water.

How to protect yourself from a cold?

A cold is the result of a temporary decrease in immunity and contact with an infection. Accordingly, prevention is aimed at preventing these risk factors.

What can you do to avoid a cold?

Avoid crowded places where the risk of infection is much higher.
If possible, stay away from people with colds.
Do not touch your nose or eyes after you have been in physical contact with a person who is sick.
Wash your hands thoroughly, especially when you have a cold.
Ventilate your room well.

If you do not start treatment for a cold in time, then there is a risk of getting complications that can eventually turn into chronic diseases. Therefore, take care of yourself, at the first symptoms, start helping your body and, in general, monitor your health all year round.

Temperature fluctuations in the autumn-spring period become a test of strength for many. Accustomed to the summer heat, the body is suddenly attacked by cold air and piercing wind. Often the result is numerous colds, sometimes requiring prolonged treatment and nerve and financial costs.

Disease Definition

What is meant by the everyday word "cold"? There is a whole, resulting from hypothermia of the body, or, acute respiratory infections. Cold phenomena, as a rule, are accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membranes, which invariably leads to the onset of rhinitis. People often refer to colds, which is fundamentally wrong, because these diseases have pathogens - viruses.

Colds develop gradually, while viruses most often strike suddenly, accompanied by a jump in temperature. With a cold, the following symptoms gradually increase:

Increasing runny nose, sometimes sore throat;
When the edema passes from the larynx to the bronchi, a cough begins;
Signs of general malaise: weakness, aches, lack of appetite;
The temperature does not rise above 38 ° C;

Respiratory disease, if ignored, causes bronchitis, sinusitis, otitis media, rhinitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, laryngitis, pharyngitis.

Frequent colds are the result of malfunctions in the human immune system, caused by a variety of reasons.

Reduced immunity - the cause of frequent colds

Immunity is given to a person from birth, and when resistance to disease has high threshold, they say that a person has good health. In fact we are talking about about the level of immunity, because it is he who is the main barrier between the human body and numerous pathogenic microbes.

A high level of immunity can be provided at the gene level (hereditary) or artificially modeled (). Sometimes immunity to a disease is acquired as a result of past illness(acquired immunity).

If for a number of reasons, or even for one reason, the work of the immune system is disrupted at least in one link, human body begins to fail in the attacks of diseases on different areas, and one of the first to be affected is the upper respiratory tract - the gateway of infection to the body. As a result - frequent colds, up to 4-6 per year.

Signs of reduced immunity

Determine the decrease in immunity yourself without additional research quite problematic, but there are a number of signs, the presence of which may be a reason to see a doctor:

Deterioration general well-being (chronic fatigue, weakness, headaches, aching muscles and joints);
Condition of skin, hair, nails(pallor and peeling of the skin, swelling under the eyes, dry and brittle hair, falling out badly, pale and brittle nails);
Protracted and and acute respiratory infections;
Absence of temperature during a cold;
Exacerbation of chronic diseases and an increase in the number of new diseases.

Decreased immunity is evidenced by the occurrence autoimmune diseases and frequent allergic reactions are evidence of the incorrect functioning of the immune system. The reasons for this may be the following:

Unbalanced diet;
Lack of physical activity;
Unfavorable living conditions (lack of sleep, overwork, poor ecology);
Uncontrolled intake of antibiotics.

The reasons for the decrease in immunity also include an increase in the level of hygiene in modern conditions life, which leads to "unemployment" and, consequently, a weakening of the immune system. Often these same causes cause an allergic reaction when the subject of attack immune cells become harmless antigens - pollen, house dust, volatiles cosmetics and perfumery.

Possible Complications

The consequences of reduced immunity are manifested in increased vulnerability various infections and, in particular, colds. Endless SARS and acute respiratory infections attack a weakened body and do not receive a proper rebuff. As a result, there is a need for more and more strong drugs, which, in turn, further lower the immune system.

The lack of immunity often causes autoimmune and allergic diseases. Most often, against the background of dysfunction of the immune system, there are multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid joint disease.

How to boost immunity

Raising immunity is a complex and painstaking task, which includes a number of measures aimed at eliminating failure in a certain area of the immune system. Only a qualified specialist can determine this area.

Carrying out measures to raise immunity must be agreed with the attending physician or (in case of drug therapy) immunologist. Self-medication is fraught with the occurrence unpredictable consequences for the immune system and the whole body.

hardening

To obtain the desired effect from hardening procedures in order to increase immunity, it is necessary to have an idea about the hardening mechanism. When some areas of the skin are subjected to a sharp cooling, the body seeks to reduce heat loss by blood and lymph flow from the cooled areas and vasoconstriction. As a result, there accelerated cleansing tissues from toxins and dead cells, they heal and rejuvenate, their resistance increases.

However, for the body, this is a significant expenditure of energy, the burden falls on the kidneys, liver, lymphatic system. And if a person does not have an energy reserve, then during hardening, the resources necessary to activate the body's work may exceed the capabilities of the body. There is an overload of systems, and instead of gaining health, a person gets an illness, often associated with a cold.

Before engaging in hardening procedures, it is necessary to feel and accept the principles of hardening:

revise life priorities and tune in to faith in vitality the human body;
Plan the intensity and duration of hardening procedures based on the sensations of your body, observing the measure;
Observe the principle of gradualness - the body must withstand the load at an increasing pace, and not take the record barrier on the move, otherwise there is a risk of injury instead of a high result;
Like any healing procedures, hardening will give a result only with regular events. One missed procedure (as well as taking an antibiotic) can negate previous results;
Even with good health hardening measures lead to significant energy costs, so after the procedures it is necessary to replenish them - rub yourself with a hard towel or warm yourself under a hot shower (in a bath), and then dress warmly.

Hardening is one of fundamental principles increasing immunity, however, the approach to it should be as thorough as possible, since hardening procedures carried out illiterately can be harmful.

Physical exercise

Movement is life, one of the most insidious enemies modern man- hypodynamia. This also affects the immune system. Without movement, the rate of blood circulation decreases and lymphatic drainage slows down. This means an increasing slagging of the body and a lack in the tissues of the necessary nutrients leading to immunodeficiency.

However, like tempering, physical activity should be observed in moderation, again based on the resources of the body. For example, for pensioners aged 60-70 years, 15 minutes of daily exercise to significantly reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

The young body is able to withstand much more heavy loads, but even here it is necessary to know the line beyond which overload begins, and, therefore, harm instead of good. Intensive exercise for 1.5 hours makes a person susceptible to disease in the period of 72 hours after training.

Like hardening, physical activity gives positive results only in compliance with the principles of proportionality, regularity and gradualness.

Medications

TO medications to increase immunity, doctors resort in the most severe cases. This is explained by the fact that the mechanism of the immune system has not been studied enough, the impact on some components can lead to the suppression of others.

However, there are several groups of drugs prescribed for a decrease in immunity:

Herbal Immunostimulants: eleutherococcus, ginseng, Chinese magnolia vine, kalanchoe, echinacea, rosea rhodiola, hawthorn, aloe;
Animal products: thymalin, timaktid, thymogen, myelopid, T-activin, vilozen, immunofan;
Facilities microbial origin: Bronchomunal, Imudon, Likopid, IRS-19, Pyrogenal, Ribomunil;
Interferon inducers(stimulants): Amixin, Dipyridamole, Lavomax, Cycloferon, Arbidol, Kagocel, Neovir.

All medicinal drugs to raise immunity, they have side effects, and self-medication with these drugs is fraught with unpredictable consequences.

Traditional medicine

Folk recipes for raising immunity include products containing a variety of vitamins and minerals necessary for the full functioning of all body systems. First of all, you should draw up a diet that contains in sufficient quantities:

Water (2.5 - 3 l);
Dairy products;
Garlic;
Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries), fruits (apples, persimmons, bananas, pomegranates), vegetables (carrots, Bell pepper, pumpkin, zucchini);
Seafood and sea fish;
Nuts and seeds, honey and bee products;
Meat and fish, legumes and eggs.

Each product contributes to the chain of normalization of processes in the body, including immune ones. There are a number of recipes for raising immunity:

Chopped ginger root(about 2 cm long) boiled in 2 liters of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Drink a glass twice a day with the addition of honey and lemon;
A mixture of honey and crushed perga is taken 1 tsp 3 times a day a quarter of an hour before meals;
A decoction of rose hips (100 g of fruit per 1 liter of water is boiled for 5 minutes) is left for 8 hours to infuse, take 1 tbsp. l. after meal;
Boil a glass of unpeeled oats in 800 ml of milk for 2 minutes, insist 30 min. , filter and squeeze. Drink 200 ml of decoction 3 r. per day for 30 min. before meals, course of treatment - 2 months;
Make a mixture of 5 g of mummy, juice of 3 lemons and 100 g of crushed aloe leaves, insist 24 hours in a dark place and take 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. l.

Folk recipes include various products which may have unfavorable side effect just for your body. Before using them, try to get exhaustive information about the components.

Video

conclusions

Methods of healing the body and increasing immunity play, of course, important role V . However, there are other factors that big influence on the body's resistance. The main ones are bad habits and constant stress.

The life of a modern person, due to the increase in informatization of all aspects, is constantly accelerating. Nervous system does not cope with the amount of assimilated information and often fails. We begin to get upset over trifles, we are always irritated, we are in a hurry somewhere and all the time we do not have time. But the reasons for stress, fortunately, in Everyday life A little.

Do not give diseases an extra chance, help the immune system - and it will answer you with good health.

Cold - common name upper respiratory diseases infectious origin. It often manifests itself as a consequence of hypothermia and seasonal immunodeficiencies. Viruses cause fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, and other characteristic symptoms. However, they are constantly present in the inhaled air. The body copes with them due to the production of specific immune cells, and a decrease in their number causes another exacerbation.

Frequent colds are dangerous to health. If you do not immediately treat and get rid of the infection completely, it will periodically cause new attacks of the disease. Microorganisms can also migrate to the mucous membrane of the lower respiratory tract, causing chronic bronchitis or even pneumonia. Correct solution- after the manifestation of the first symptoms, drink a course of drugs, observing bed rest.

Infectious diseases are characterized by a high degree of contagiousness. Viruses are transmitted by airborne droplets and by contact, and bacteria can also remain on objects environment. Their variety can only be determined by the results laboratory tests blood and other material (nasal discharge).

The clinical picture of the disease does not develop in everyone and differs in the level of severity. This is due to the work of the immune system and its ability to inactivate pathogenic microflora.

Infection can occur within incubation period(the first 2 days after infection, sometimes more). Even if the patient has not yet shown the first signs of a cold, he is a danger to others.

The role of immunity

There are several levels of infection control. The first of these are phagocytes - blood cells that capture and then mechanically destroy microscopic pathogens. Further included humoral factors- immunoglobulins (antibodies). They react with microbial antigens, rendering them harmless. If pathogenic bacteria or viruses get inside healthy cells, the production of another immunity factor begins - interferons (they are part of some medicines).

Why does the body weaken its protective functions?

Normally, an infection, even if it penetrates the skin or mucous membranes, does not cause a cold. The immune system successfully distinguishes microorganisms, fights them all available methods. Acute course With severe symptoms may be caused by the following factors:

weather conditions: low air temperature combined with high humidity;
sleep disturbance;
malnutrition, deficiency of vitamins, minerals;
comorbidities, including chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
stressful situations: some experts believe that it is psychological condition responsible for defense mechanisms.

With a decrease in immunity, a person will often get sick. Autumn and winter are the most favorable period for the development of pathogenic infection. At this time, cases of infection with ARVI, influenza, tonsillitis and others are becoming more frequent. contagious diseases that quickly spread throughout the population.

Possible Complications

At untimely treatment the common cold can turn into dangerous forms. Most often, it is caused by a viral infection that causes inflammatory reactions on the mucous membrane of the respiratory system. However, over time, bacteria can join it - their presence is accompanied by the release purulent exudate from the nose, and you can get rid of them only with antibiotics.

Dangerous complications of a cold - Chronical bronchitis or pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs). These diseases occur when the infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract. Constant pressure protective systems body can cause autoimmune or allergic diseases. These include bronchial asthma, sclerosis, Crohn's enteritis, systemic lupus erythematosus.

Signs of reduced immunity

The first symptoms can be detected independently. A person becomes less active, sleep problems appear, the condition of the skin and hair worsens. All chronic diseases are exacerbated, including fungus or herpes. When these signs appear, it is worth contacting for a more detailed examination.

The doctor draws attention to the following complaints:

constant subfebrile temperature body - it is kept at 37 degrees;
frequent cases of colds (for adults - more than 4 times a year);
infectious diseases last longer than 2 weeks, often recur;
insomnia.

The patient suffers simultaneously from many manifestations of immunodeficiency. Even if you are completely treated for another acute respiratory disease, it quickly develops anew. The only way prevention of infection - to strengthen the body's defense mechanisms.

What tests should be taken and which doctor should I contact?

If you have a cold, you need to visit a local therapist. After initial examination he can give a referral for a consultation with an otolaryngologist (ENT), immunologist or other doctors. During the diagnosis, it is important to determine which factor provoked clinical picture illness. To do this, do sowing exudate of the nasal passages to detect bacteria. Viruses can be detected by characteristic blood tests.

Expert opinion

Valery Sinelnikov

Leading specialist in the field of psychosomatics.

“Any disease is the result of a lack of harmony with inner world. A runny nose indicates low self-esteem, anxiety, disappointment. To get rid of it, it is enough to establish relationships with loved ones, to decide on life goals.

Ways to strengthen immunity

Instead of regularly catching colds or constantly drinking pills in the cold season, it is better to prepare the body for stress. So his fight against infection will be more productive, the risk of infection with viruses will disappear during any contact with them. For this, it is not necessary to take expensive medicines. Sometimes it is enough to pay attention to your lifestyle, normalize nutrition, adjust sleep and wakefulness. Immunomodulation is a set of procedures that consist of simple rules performed regularly. Any therapist can advise on methods for preventing colds.

hardening

Pouring cold water, getting used to low temperatures air - it is better to start these exercises in the summer. They are useful for weak immunity and frequent colds. In order to understand the importance of hardening, it is worth understanding the mechanism of its action. Cold irritates areas of the skin and helps to activate blood circulation (to warm these areas).

at first, do not strive to show record results - a slight temperature difference is enough;
perform procedures daily - a missed session may affect the indicators already achieved;
the effect must be fixed by rubbing with a towel or in other ways to keep warm.

If an unprepared person spills ice water, it will end with a cold. For the result to be the opposite, do not rush to lower the temperature of the liquid and increase the time of the procedure.

To keep the body in good shape means to increase the respiratory volume of the lungs, strengthen the heart, improve blood circulation and activate immune defense. However, exercise should also be treated wisely. So, frequent walks and jogs are good for health, and daily power training quickly deplete the body's reserves. It is also worth considering age and individual characteristics A: The schedule for retirees and pregnant women will be different.

As a prevention of colds, cardio loads are more useful. These include running, swimming, cycling and other activities that involve constant movement. They improve blood circulation and lymph flow, so that all tissues have enough oxygen, vitamins and minerals.

Proper nutrition

With food, a person receives the substances necessary for the body to work at the cellular level. IN gastrointestinal tract they are ground down to simple compounds and used for chemical reactions with the release of energy. It's not the quantity that matters, but the quality of the food. fried foods and fats of animal origin - the main source bad cholesterol. It is deposited in the vessels and causes a noticeable deterioration in health. The basis of the diet should be cereals, plant food, meat and fish, dairy products. This food is recommended to be taken raw or boiled, at least 4-5 times a day in small portions.

In cold weather, it is difficult to eat right. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are out, so get required amount useful substances almost impossible. For this, pharmacies sell special vitamin complexes. They are created taking into account the needs of the body in patients of different sex and age, as well as many diseases.

Medicines to prevent common colds

The medical method is used only in extreme cases when boosting immunity simple ways inefficient. Medicines are available in the form of tablets and are intended to be taken as a course. These include active ingredients in low concentrations. When it enters the bloodstream, the immune system is activated and the production of protective cells is intensive.

The composition of drugs to increase immunity for adults with frequent colds may include:

interferons: Arbidol, Cycloferon, Amiksin;
herbal ingredients: ginseng root, eleutherococcus, rhodiola rosea, echinacea;
components of animal origin: thymalin, T-activin, immunofan;
microbial products: Pyrogenal, Imudon, Bronchomunal and others.

Do not try to find a medicine on your own. At various diseases fit different variants. So, with a mild cold, the lightest herbal tablets are optimal, and with advanced forms, you will have to take interferons.

Traditional medicine

Treatment according to old recipes does not lose popularity even with an abundance of capsules and powders. However, their naturalness does not always mean safety and effectiveness. Action medicinal herbs is directly related to immunity allergic reactions, chronic insufficiency kidneys and liver. There are drugs that can be advised at any age and condition. It is useful to add lemon, ginger, fresh or frozen raspberries, viburnum or mountain ash to a hot drink. There is also a way to boil ginger root, mix it with honey and lemon and take every day. Onions and garlic are no less useful - they are considered one of the first natural antibiotics.

Frequent manifestations cold infection It's a disease that can be fought. To do this, it is enough to healthy lifestyle life, give up bad habits, temper and play sports.