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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Frequent colds
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Frequent colds
by noreaster, Oct 31, 2004 12:00AM
Hi and thanks for taking the question.
My problem is frequent colds. I get a cold that lasts a week, there is a week or two-week long break and then I get another cold. I've had three so far this fall, one followed by an ear infection.
I have a chronic dry cough, my temperature is usually around 99.5, but the worst part of all this is the runny nose. The discharge is clear and there is an awful lot of it. I've been taking sudafed but it helps only a little. Tried antihistamine medication for a few days it it made me very drowsy.
My question is: do you think that my colds could be caused by an alergy (allergy) (I've never had any alergies (allergies) before) and what I can do to get rid of them. I'm a teacher and these recurring colds are a great nuisance.
My problem is frequent colds. I get a cold that lasts a week, there is a week or two-week long break and then I get another cold. I've had three so far this fall, one followed by an ear infection.
I have a chronic dry cough, my temperature is usually around 99.5, but the worst part of all this is the runny nose. The discharge is clear and there is an awful lot of it. I've been taking sudafed but it helps only a little. Tried antihistamine medication for a few days it it made me very drowsy.
My question is: do you think that my colds could be caused by an alergy (allergy) (I've never had any alergies (allergies) before) and what I can do to get rid of them. I'm a teacher and these recurring colds are a great nuisance.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Nov 03, 2004 12:00AM
, Nov 03, 2004 12:00AM
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinus cavities. Inflammation of the sinuses could be due to an allergy, an infection, or ongoing exposure to an irritant, such as pollution or smoke. Symptoms can include a headache or pressure in the area of the sinuses, a runny nose, a stuffy nose, achy teeth, an odor coming from the nose, postnasal drip, cough, sore throat, laryngitis, lightheadedness, constant low fever, and thick, yellow to green nasal drainage.
The best way to identify a sinus infection is with a sinus CT scan, although sinus x-rays are a decent alternative. A sinus CT scan will also identify if any of the openings that drain your sinuses are blocked. If your symptoms are due to sinusitis, they will last as long as the inflammation continues. Here are some ways to clear up the inflammation. Please check with your doctor to see which of these would work best for you. Please read our Sinusitis MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/sin.html for more information.
The most common cause of sinusitis is an infection, especially when the discharge is green. Sinus infections can be difficult to treat since they respond slowly. When any of the openings that drain your sinuses are blocked it will take longer to clear a sinus infection. If a viral infection is the cause it’s a matter of time until the sinusitis clears on its own. When a bacterial infection is the cause you may need to take an antibiotic for at least 3 weeks. Even after an antibiotic clears the infection, it is possible for the inflammation to linger.
This inflammation can block sinus drainage and cause increased mucus production. As the sinus infection clears, this mucus drains from the nose and sinuses either out the front of the nose causing a runny nose or down the back of the throat causing a postnasal drip. This can cause coughing as a result of irritation of the throat and lungs. You may experience the postnasal drip as a constant feeling of mucus at the back of your throat. Typically this is worse at night when you lay down to sleep. Generally this irritation feels the worst when you wake up and gets better as the day goes on. This mucus can fester sinusitis and colds.
An antihistamine can dry up the discharge. Over the counter antihistamines can make you very drowsy. However there are prescription antihistamines that should not make you drowsy. A decongestant like Sudafed® (pseudoephedrine) can thin the discharge and decrease the swelling so it drains easier. A combination antihistamine-decongestant will do both. Check with your doctor to see which would help you more. Often an antihistamine and decongestant are taken only when the discharge gets bad. It may be more helpful to take the antihistamine and decongestant on a regular basis.
A nasal wash helps remove mucus and germs from your nose and sinuses. This can temporarily lessen the discharge and colds along with the coughing and runny nose. It is most helpful when done daily before using any nasal spray. When the discharge is thin and watery Atrovent® Nasal Spray (ipratropium bromide) may help to dry this up. A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases mucus production and improves sinus drainage by decreasing the inflammation of the nose and openings that drain the sinuses. This generally provides a more lasting decrease in sinus pressure and improves sinus drainage. This may prevent the discharge, coughing, runny nose, and colds. A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms. It may take several weeks of routine use to become effective. Sometimes it takes the antihistamine, the decongestant, and the nasal wash followed by the Atrovent® Nasal Spray (ipratropium bromide), and the nasal steroid spray ALL used routinely to keep the drainage from bothering you. Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique. Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.
The best way to identify a sinus infection is with a sinus CT scan, although sinus x-rays are a decent alternative. A sinus CT scan will also identify if any of the openings that drain your sinuses are blocked. If your symptoms are due to sinusitis, they will last as long as the inflammation continues. Here are some ways to clear up the inflammation. Please check with your doctor to see which of these would work best for you. Please read our Sinusitis MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/sin.html for more information.
The most common cause of sinusitis is an infection, especially when the discharge is green. Sinus infections can be difficult to treat since they respond slowly. When any of the openings that drain your sinuses are blocked it will take longer to clear a sinus infection. If a viral infection is the cause it’s a matter of time until the sinusitis clears on its own. When a bacterial infection is the cause you may need to take an antibiotic for at least 3 weeks. Even after an antibiotic clears the infection, it is possible for the inflammation to linger.
This inflammation can block sinus drainage and cause increased mucus production. As the sinus infection clears, this mucus drains from the nose and sinuses either out the front of the nose causing a runny nose or down the back of the throat causing a postnasal drip. This can cause coughing as a result of irritation of the throat and lungs. You may experience the postnasal drip as a constant feeling of mucus at the back of your throat. Typically this is worse at night when you lay down to sleep. Generally this irritation feels the worst when you wake up and gets better as the day goes on. This mucus can fester sinusitis and colds.
An antihistamine can dry up the discharge. Over the counter antihistamines can make you very drowsy. However there are prescription antihistamines that should not make you drowsy. A decongestant like Sudafed® (pseudoephedrine) can thin the discharge and decrease the swelling so it drains easier. A combination antihistamine-decongestant will do both. Check with your doctor to see which would help you more. Often an antihistamine and decongestant are taken only when the discharge gets bad. It may be more helpful to take the antihistamine and decongestant on a regular basis.
A nasal wash helps remove mucus and germs from your nose and sinuses. This can temporarily lessen the discharge and colds along with the coughing and runny nose. It is most helpful when done daily before using any nasal spray. When the discharge is thin and watery Atrovent® Nasal Spray (ipratropium bromide) may help to dry this up. A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases mucus production and improves sinus drainage by decreasing the inflammation of the nose and openings that drain the sinuses. This generally provides a more lasting decrease in sinus pressure and improves sinus drainage. This may prevent the discharge, coughing, runny nose, and colds. A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms. It may take several weeks of routine use to become effective. Sometimes it takes the antihistamine, the decongestant, and the nasal wash followed by the Atrovent® Nasal Spray (ipratropium bromide), and the nasal steroid spray ALL used routinely to keep the drainage from bothering you. Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique. Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.
