Respiratory diseases common cold

Vitamin C status is supposed to play a role in immune function and to influence the progression of some chronic degenerative diseases like atherosclerosis, cancer, cataracts, and osteoporosis. The role of vitamin C in immune function, especially during common cold and upper respiratory tract infection, is the subject of lively debate. The exact mechanisms of action have not yet been fully elucidated, but the results of several trials point to a reduced duration and intensity of infections in subjects consuming high amounts of vitamin C (200-1000 mg/d). However, the incidence of common cold was not influenced significantly (24). 

The intensity of the daily chronic maintenance regimen varies based on patient age, baseline lung function, other organ system involvement, and social factors such as time available for therapy and patient-selected care choices. Generally, with more severe lung disease and multi-organ system involvement, therapies become more complicated and time intensive. Additionally, therapy is intensified when pulmonary symptoms are increased with acute exacerbations or even mild viral upper respiratory illness such as the common cold. The approach to treatment is best described by the organ system affected. 

The drugs described in this chapter are used to treat a variety of disorders, ranging from severe cardiovascular and respiratory problems to symptoms of the common cold. Because these drugs are widely used in cardiovascular disease and other disorders, many patients seen in physical therapy and occupational... 

Picomaviruses, which include the rhinovi-ruses and enteroviruses, are RNA viruses that cause several infectious human diseases. These diseases include common colds as well as life-threatening infections of the respiratory and central nervous systems. Effective treatments of these diseases would relieve much human suffering, save many lives, and have great economic benefit. There are over 100 serotypes of rhinoviruses alone, making it impossible to generate a vaccine effective against infections by all variants of the virus (164). 

The first effective and safe treatments for Alzheimer s, Parkinson s, chronic graft rejection, permanent graft acceptance, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, and vaccines [common cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), AIDS, malaria. Avian Influenza, radiation, contraception, emerging new infections] will be multibillion-dollar products [15,16]. 

The common cold can be annoying. However, some respiratory diseases—sueh as emphysema—are debilitating and can slowly choke the life out of a person. In this chapter, we ll explore common respiratory diseases and learn about the medications that are used to manage the symptoms of the disease. 

Diseases that affect the upper respiratory tract are called upper respiratory infections (URls). These include the common cold, acute rhinitis (not the same as allergic rhinitis), sinusitis, acute tonsillitis, and acute laryngitis. 

Medici TC, Shang H, Grosgurin P et al (1985) No demonstrable effect of sobrerol as an expectorant in patients with stable chronic bronchial diseases. Bull Exp Physiopathol Respir 21 477-83 Melchart D, Linde K, Fischer P et al (1999) Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold, Cochrane Database Syst Rev Issue 1, Art No, CD000530 Melchior J, Spasov AA, Ostrovskij OV et al (2000) Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot and phase 111 study of activity of standardized Andrographis paniculata Herba Nees extract fixed combination (Kan Jang) in the treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. Phytomedicine 7 341-350... 

The air, dust, and fumes some workers breathe at work can make them sick, plus it creates a sickening bottom line for employers. Lung diseases and respiratory illnesses can range from the common cold to lung cancer, asthma, allergies, and pneumonia. The cost... 

Traditional use Fruits and leaves are used to treat anemia and edema, and as a light laxative. Fresh fruits are used to decrease blood pressure, to treat heart and liver diseases and atherosclerosis. A decocotion of the young branches is drunk to treat children s diabetes and skin tuberculosis (Poludenny and Zhuravlev 2000). A decoction of the fruits is used as a diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic. The fresh juice is used to treat stomach and duodenum ulcers and gastritis with low stomach acidity mixed with honey it is used to treat respiratory diseases. Leaves are used in a tea to treat skin and bladder diseases, kidney stones, rheumatism, common colds, and also as a diuretic (Khahnatov et al. 1984). 

Hapatovirus (hepatitis A virus). Cardiovirus (encephalomyocarditis virus of mice and other rodents). Rhinovirus (upper respiratory tract viruses, common cold viruses). Aphthovirus (foot-and-mouth disease virus). 

In Finland, allergy to cow dander has accounted for over one-quarter of reported occupational dermatoses in farmers, and it is the most common cause of occupational protein-contact dermatitis and asthma (Kanerva and Susitaival 1996). It remains to be resolved whether cold climate (cattle in confined spaces most of the year) or the Finnish habit of regularly brushing and trimming the cows are contributory factors to the high prevalence of dermatitis and respiratory diseases caused by cow allergy. 

AVIAN FLU. Avian flu, also called bird flu, refers to viral influenza primarily affecting birds. Some human deaths have been attributed to exposure to avian flu virus. These deaths appear to have occurred mainly in cases where individuals have lived or worked in proximity to poultry. Its spread in recent years has led to concern that a highly infectious strain, such as the H5N1 strain, could combine with the common cold virus and result in a human pandemic. One reason for the small number of human deaths is the apparent fact that most strains of avian flu virus are unable to penetrate beyond the upper respiratory tract of humans. The spread of avian flu has highlighted the vulnerability of humans to disease outbreaks, whether from natural causes or deliberate releases. See also SMALLPOX. 

Considerable data is available suggesting thatmild-to-moderate immunosuppression can lead to an increase in infectious disease. The types of infections that occur tend to result from either common pathogens (e.g., causing upper respiratory tract infections) or latent viruses (e.g., herpes cold sores), rather than opportunistic organisms such as Pnuemocyctis carinii. These are usually not life-threatening, except in certain susceptible populations, such as the elderly. Opportunistic infections, in contrast, are more prevalent in individuals where severe forms of immunosuppression are present, such as primary immunodeficiency diseases or HIV/AIDS. 

Jenner s speckled monster (smallpox) has been defeated, but AIDS will be with us for many years to come. While smallpox was eradicated by means of a worldwide vaccination campaign, prevention of acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS will require new drugs and more careful sexual behaviour. Both diseases do share a common feature - they are caused by Nature s most successful parasites - the viruses. In the developed world, it is not uncommon for a person to survive to a ripe old age without experiencing a serious bacterial infection or contracting one of the many forms of cancer. They will, however, have suffered from the effects of numerous viral infections of the respiratory tract, i.e., colds and flu, and most probably, from the common childhood virus-inflicted disease of chicken pox. It is unlikely that any of these afflictions will have been life-threatening, but they will have caused many days to be lost from school or work. In other words, the morbidity due to the common viral diseases is high, but the mortality is low. 

---