The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

Archive for the 'Common Cold' Category

Consumer Alert: Miracle Mineral Supplement aka MMS

Monday, July 11th, 2016

This product, when used as directed, produces an industrial bleach that can cause serious harm.

Swallowing doses of this bleach, such as those recommended in the labeling can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of severe dehydration. (more…)

Here’s what we know about vitamin C and the common cold

Thursday, February 14th, 2013

150px-Ascorbic_acid_structureVitamin C (ascorbic acid) for preventing and treating the common cold has been a subject of controversy for 70 years.

Now, The Cochrane Library has reviewed the data. (more…)

Consumer Alert: Neti Pots

Monday, August 27th, 2012

They’re used to rinse the nasal passages with a saline (salt-based) solution, and are popular to treat congested sinuses, colds, and allergies, and to moisten nasal passages exposed to dry indoor air.

But, FDA has concerns about the risk of infection when neti pots are used improperly. (more…)

Effect of the dose of zinc lozenges on the common cold

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Researchers at the University of Helsinki, in Finland, examined whether the total daily dose of zinc might explain part of the variation in the results of previous studies. (more…)

Consumer Alert: “Koff & Kold” and “Kold Sore”

Monday, February 13th, 2012

The FDA tells us that Wholistic Herbs Inc. is recalling all of its “Koff & Kold” spray with herbal extract and “Kold Sore” spray with liquid sea mineral. (more…)

CAM for the common cold?

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

While rhinoviruses cause upto half of colds, up to 200 other viruses have been implicated.

Researchers at the University of Ottawa, in Ontario, reviewed the evidence for CAM to treat and prevent the common cold. (more…)

Exercise lessens symptoms of the common cold

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Researchers at Appalachian State University, in Boone, North Carolina, studied the effects of physical activity and fitness levels on the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. (more…)

Echinacea to treat the common cold?

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

In a study sponsored by the NCCAM, researchers from the US and Australia looked for potential benefits. (more…)

Antiwei to treat influenza

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Antiwei is a traditional Chinese prescription used to treat influenza.

Researchers at Sichuan University, in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China report it is effective and well tolerated. (more…)

Cochrane reviews zinc treatment for the common cold

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Are there benefits to offset the potential for side effects? (more…)

Mechanisms underlying the actions of vitamin D

Monday, January 17th, 2011

Dr. Christine Gonzalez from Los Angeles, California, has written a thorough review of vitamin D.

Let’s focus on the actions of vitamin D thought to contribute to disease prevention. (more…)

Symptomatic benefits of hot drinks for cold and flu

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Researchers from Cardiff University, in the UK studied the effects of fruit drinks on nasal airflow and cold and flu symptoms.

(more…)

CAM to treat the cold and flu

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Dr. Mark Moyad (photo) is Director of Preventive and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

His recommendations. (more…)

Swine flu not affected by hand sanitizers

Monday, September 13th, 2010

During the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), researchers from the University of Virginia reported that regular use of alcohol-based disinfecting hand gels has little effect on the Swine flu infection rate. (more…)

Acupuncture for chronic sinusitis. Worth the cost?

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

It’s commonly used to treat chronic sinusitis, though there’s little documentation for any effect.

Researchers from Norway looked for evidence of improved quality of life. (more…)

Vitamin B12 and unexplained cough

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

coughDuring the World Allergy Congress, researchers from the University of Turin, in Italy reported that a “deficiency of vitamin B12 might be a factor in unexplained chronic cough and dysfunction of the pharynx and larynx.” (more…)

Treating cough with honey

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Cough is a major cause of doctor visits among children and adults. It can impact quality of life, cause anxiety, and affect sleep for parents and their children.

Here’s a Cochrane review of the evidence supporting the use of honey to treat acute cough in children. (more…)

Using vitamin D to prevent influenza A

Saturday, April 10th, 2010

Researchers at Jikei University School of Medicine Minato-ku in Tokyo studied 167 schoolchildren from December 2008 through March 2009.

It’s an important study that advances our knowledge of vitamin D and it’s contribution to health. (more…)

Acupuncture to speed return of sense of smell after viral infection

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

Researchers from the University of Cologne Medical Center, in Germany, evaluated the effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture in patients with persistent olfactory dysfunction following a viral infection. (more…)

Consumer Alert: Zicam cold remedies

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

The FDA is advising people to discontinue using 3 Zicam Nasal Gel/Nasal Swab cold remedies because they’re associated with the loss of sense of smell that may be long-lasting or permanent. (more…)