Cough and cold a common ailments in almost everyone’s lifetime, which shake our body and make us uncomfortable. I hope you would like to know the causes and treatment.

Before proceeding to know the causes and treatment you should know in brief about the Respiratory system, Inflammation reaction, and Defence system. This will help you in finding the exact cause and the right treatment.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM  

The respiratory system organises the inhaling of oxygen and exhaling of carbon dioxide providing oxygen to the blood.

The human body contains 100 trillion cells or units of life. Each living cell is a mass of protoplasm with a nucleus. Every cell needs oxygen for its metabolic activities and to rid itself of carbon dioxide, through the process called respiration. 

The function of the distribution of food and oxygen is carried by the cardiovascular system.

The respiratory system and circulatory system have closely integrated activities. The blood receives oxygen from the respiratory system and food from the gastrointestinal system and circulates it throughout the body by the cardiovascular system ensuring adequate supply to the body cells.

The respiratory system is divided for descriptive purposes into the upper and lower respiratory tracts, the dividing line being Adam’s apple in the neck.

The upper respiratory tract 

The pyramid-shaped nose extends beyond into the nasal cavity and nasopharynx. The mucous membrane is lined by ciliated epithelium and has a rich vascular supply. The inspired air is warmed by vascularity and cilia covered in sticky mucus trap foreign particles and bacteria, moving them towards the pharynx.

The whole respiratory epithelium down to the terminal bronchioles is equipped with cilia which play an important role in the prevention of respiratory infection.

Every 20 minutes the nose produces a clean new mucus blanket.

The nasal sinuses communicate with the nasal cavities by narrowing the openings & are frequently involved in nasal and nasopharyngeal infections. 

Adequate drainage of infected sinuses is prevented by inflammatory swelling of the mucosa lining their narrow openings and as a result, resolution of sinus infection is often slow and sometimes incomplete.

The larynx in addition to being the organ of voice production has also the function of preventing larger particles from reaching the lower respiratory tract. This is done by means of the cough reflex. 

The cough may be either a voluntary act or a reflex response to the irritation of the respiratory mucosa meditated through a centre in the medulla.  It consists of a forceful expiratory effort with the glottis closed, followed by the sudden explosive release of the pent-up air along with sputum or other irritant matter. 

Lower Respiratory Tract  

The lower respiratory tract consists of the Trachea, Bronchi and lungs.

The trachea begins at the lower end of the larynx and ends in the neck by bifurcation into the two main bronchi. These enter the main sub-divisions of the lungs called lobes, three on the right & two on the left. 

The exchange of respiratory gases takes place in the lungs between the air in the alveoli & the blood in the pulmonary capillaries.

THE INFLAMMATORY REACTION

Inflammation in the early stages was considered a disease associated with the “sign of Celsus”, rubor(redness), tumour (swelling), calor( heat), and dolour(pain). 

The clinical syndrome was named by applying the suffix “itis” to the organ involved eg. Rhinitis, Nasopharyngitis, Laryngitis, Tracheitis and Bronchitis were the inflammatory diseases of the respiratory organs.  

Further by the advancement of pathology, improvement in the designs of microscopes resulted in that “inflammation is the process by which the cells and exudate accumulate in irritated tissues and usually tend to protect them from further injury”.

The cause of inflammation was primary irritants such as many poisonous chemical substances or toxins of pathogenic bacteria.

VIRUSES  

Of all the body enemies, the simplest & most devious are the viruses, strictly speaking, a virus is not even alive, it is a protein-coated bundle of genes containing instructions for making copies of itself( replication). 

When a virus slips inside one of our cells, it issues instructions causing the cell to produce hundreds of new identical viruses within the course of a day.

Eventually, they rupture the cell, killing it. Then they fan out to invade nearby cells. Initially, the odds are on the side of the invader.  

THE DEFENCE SYSTEM

There are one trillion cells in the body’s immune system to defend it from microbial invasion. these multiply in the bone marrow and form three distinct regiments- the phagocytes and two kinds of lymphocytes, the T cells and B cells. Each has its own defence strategies. 

As a result, the redness is explained by dilated blood vessels, the swelling by the collection of exudate(pus-like) and the pain by resulting compression of peripherals nerves.

The white blood cells come to lie against the walls of the blood vessels and by diapedesis come into tissue spaces, to devour any invading micro-organisms.

Phagocytes

In the case of a cell bursting open by multiplying cold virus, the patrolling phagocytes fall upon the remnants and gobble up the wreckage, consuming some of the viruses in the process. 

The phagocytes can not destroy the viruses quickly and prevent them from infecting healthy cells.

Macrophage

Next, a special kind of phagocyte called a macrophage arrives and engulfs the cold viruses. It bites off a special part of the virus, the antigen as a marker to supply the required intelligence about the specific nature of the invaders.

This plays a critical role in the immune system since it alerts highly specialised T cells circulating through the body. They recognize the virus by shape. The antigens on the virus fit exactly into the T cell receptor.

T Cells

The T cells are produced in the thymus, a pale-grey gland behind the sternum, by the tens of millions. The T cells are known as helper Ts.

It first detects antigens that are instrumental in sending urgent chemical signals for producing killer T cells trained to recognize the specific enemy.

Soon an enormous number of these killer T cells are reproduced. They chemically puncture cells before the viruses inside have time to multiply. In the process, these cells are destroyed.

Besides summoning the killer Ts, helper Ts alert the last major regiment of the immune system, the B cells.

B Cells

These are produced in the lymph nodes. The B cells produce chemical weapons called antibodies which are immunoglobulins.

By sticking to the surface of pathogenic organisms(such as viruses, bacteria or fungi) antibody molecules increase the chemotropic affinity for phagocytes to zero in on them.

As the immune defences of the body gather the tide turns against the microbes.

Wow!!! what a defence system.

Causes of cough and cold

The common causes of cough and cold are:

1 Respiratory tract infection:

An infectious disease that affects the respiratory system is called respiratory tract infection or in short RTI. Symptoms associated with RTI are cough, sneezing, stuffy or running nose, mild to high fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, breathing problems, chest congestion or wheezing,

2 Allergies

Allergy is one of the main reasons for cough and cold. Allergic to dust particles may occur in rhinitis frequently.

3 Asthma or chronic bronchitis:

Difficulty in breathing is called asthma. Inflammation of the bronchi is called bronchitis. If bronchitis remains for a longer period it is said chronic bronchitis. There are many reasons for asthma or chronic bronchitis. Better to consult your doctor.

4 Changing weather:

It’s been noted that cough and cold are very common during the changing weather. Better to protect yourself during changing weather. For example, avoid cold water, ice cream or cold drinks when the winter is going to start.

5 Additional causes of cough and cold

Cough is the response to expel foreign particles or microbes. Nothing to worry about cough in case it doesn’t persist for a longer duration. A glass of water can soothe the irritation.

The common cold as its name implies is one of the commonest infectious diseases caused by the number of viruses which is increasing as more of them are recognised.

The infection spreads readily through inhaling the droplets containing rhinovirus from an infected individual.

When the patient is recovering from an attack of severe viral infections the symptoms are more severe. This is due to the slow resolution of the inflammatory reaction and immune system.

Home remedies for cough and cold

It has been lightly said that cold if treated lasts for a week, if untreated it lasts for seven days.

The common cold is so frequent in occurrence. It is better to use home remedies instead of most advertised cough syrups or other remedies.

a) Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, make a paste or use a readymade paste of ginger. Honey has an anti-bacterial property. Lick the mixture of ginger paste with honey. It will provide a soothing effect and relief from cough and cold. 2 teaspoons 2-3 times a day gives sufficient relief.

b) Salt-warm water gargle gives a soothing effect due to reducing inflammation & pain in the throat. It also removes the mucus buildup in the respiratory tract & nasal cavity. When you flush your nose with saline solution, it helps to clear out any bacteria or viruses that may be lingering and causing congestion. This can be especially helpful during cold and flu season when these types of infections are more common.

c) Steam inhalation clears up the nasal and respiratory tract. 

d) Hydrate with fluid to avoid sore throat causing cough. Water is one of the best for hydration. You can also use Herbal Tea.

e) Avoid acid-creating food.

f) Increase immunity by taking Chyawanprash, an age-old Ayurvedic jam made up of more than 20 herbs and spices. Apart from increasing immunity, it’s beneficial as a blood purifier, eradicating toxic elements, and also helpful for the brain. Chyawanprash is beneficial for all age groups.

These home remedies are effective and harmless.

Treatment for cough and cold

On-the-counter medicines available don’t cure but give symptomatic relief.

The drugs used for cough and cold are:

1 Drugs for the respiratory system

Drugs affecting the respiratory system are mainly of five type

(a) Respiratory stimulants.

(b) Antispasmodic: drugs decreasing or abolishing spasms of the bronchial muscles.

(c) Expectorants: drugs which facilitate the expulsion of bronchial secretion(sputum)

(d) Cough depressants or suppressants.

(e) Antihistamines: drugs that antagonise the action of histamine by blocking the histamine receptors in the tissues.

2 Antipyretic and Analgesic

Fever and pain are common symptoms during cough and cold. The drugs used to reduce pain and fever are: 

(a) Analgesic: drugs which relieve pain

(b) Antipyretic: drugs that reduce the temperature of the body. 

3 Antibiotics and Antiviral

Since cough and cold are an infection. Antibiotics and antiviral agents eradicate infection. A lot of antibiotics and antiviral drugs are available in the market that are effective on cough and cold. Let your doctor decide the best for you.

4 Anti-Allergic

Cough and cold may occur due to allergic reactions. Anti-allergic drugs are useful to treat cough and cold.  

So many complications in just a simple common cough and cold, hence it’s advisable to always visit your doctor instead of taking medicine over the counter. 

Disclaimer

This article is just sharing knowledge. It’s not medical advice.