My last post about zinc in the setting of a viral upper respiratory tract infection generated a lot of feedback, so I thought I’d answer a common question I get. What do I do when I get a cold? In addition to zinc 75 mg daily, I use a combination of two nasal sprays. The first one I use is oxymetazoline, commonly known as Afrin Nasal Spray. First thing in the morning I do two sprays in each nostril and it’s almost instantly effective at opening my nose/sinuses up. I use this spray twice daily (morning and evening) FOR A MAXIMUM OF 6 DOSES, or 3 days. Why? Your body can become physically dependent on the medication to shrink down the mucous membranes up there, and if that happens, when you do eventually stop the medication the nasal congestion will come back even worse until your body re-calibrates. People can get “addicted” to the spray, it’s not an uncommon problem! Alright, so I’ve opened up the congestion with oxymetazoline. Then I use Flonase, 2 sprays each nostril. I will continue the Flonase this way, even if I have stopped the oxymetazoline, until I’m symptomatically feeling better. If these one-two punch of nasal sprays doesn’t work then I’ll add a decongestant like Sudafed, Advil Cold & Sinus, etc. Drinking plenty of fluids and resting is also very imperative, as is maintaining good nutrition.
What about vitamin C? At its best, vitamin C only assists with repairing the damage from the viral infection and doesn’t do anything to prevent viral infections or assist your immune system with fighting the infection. Since I’m a big believer in only taking medications/supplements that are necessary, I tend to leave the C out of the equation. It’s certainly not going to hurt you to take it though. Your vitamin D levels may impact your immune systems function, so as part of a daily supplement I always recommend people take 2000 international units of vitamin D3 daily.
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