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What Works For The Common Cold?

By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on January 6th, 2010%

It’s definitely common cold season (ganmao, in Chinese). So, in this deeply cold week in Beijing, it’s a good time to review what treatments actually work for the common cold. …Continue reading: What Works For The Common Cold?…

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One comment   Disease    

What’s the Real Data on Alternative Rx for Colds & Flu?

By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on November 16th, 2009%

Yes, we are definitely in flu season. And yes, most of it is probably H1N1. But most everyone is doing fine. I still recommend the vaccine for high risk groups that can get it, but it’s a personal decision, and I can’t even convince my wife to get it! So, let’s focus more on natural prevention and treatments. …Continue reading: What’s the Real Data on Alternative Rx for Colds & Flu?…

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Leave a comment   Integrative medicine   , ,  

Does Green Runny Nose = Antibiotic Rx?

By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on November 5th, 2009%

runnynose2It’s a popular misconception among not just the population but also many doctors, that a greenish runny nose = bacterial infection = antibiotics. Well,  it’s not true! As this fun New York Times article reviews, the color is more a sign of clumps of  your body’s infection-fighting white cells as well as colorful shades of your normal nose bacteria. They discuss the studies that show no difference in symptoms with or without antibiotics. Here’s a quote: …Continue reading: Does Green Runny Nose = Antibiotic Rx?…

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Can Garlic Help Fight Off A Cold?

By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on October 31st, 2009%

The weather is turning colder and flu season is ramping up. There is precious little that Western medicine can offer to fight off the common cold, so it’s good to review what natural medicines and foods actually help. I previously wrote about chicken soup and easy non-food prevention tips; now let’s discuss garlic. Many people swear that eating a clove or two at the start of a cold helps their symptoms. What’s the evidence? …Continue reading: Can Garlic Help Fight Off A Cold?…

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Leave a comment   Disease, Prevention   ,  

Does Being Cold Cause A Cold?

By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on October 20th, 2009%

Most people think it is common sense that cold weather causes more colds. And traditional Chinese medicine is even more emphatic about this, categorizing many respiratory illnesses as wind-borne or cold-borne. And who didn’t grow up hearing their mother tell them to “bundle up or you’ll catch a cold”? …Continue reading: Does Being Cold Cause A Cold?…

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Coughing: What Medicines Work?

By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on October 15th, 2009%

A cough is one of the most annoying symptoms of the common cold, and OTC cough syrups are one of the most popular purchases in pharmacies. But which ones really work?

No Combos For Children Under Four …Continue reading: Coughing: What Medicines Work?…

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One comment   Children, Disease   , ,  

Fight the Flu? Get Some Sleep!

By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on September 26th, 2009%

Here’s a warning shot across the bow for those workaholics and students who are chronically sleep deprived. I’ve mentioned in my slide show about the common cold, as well as my accompanying article, that there are a lot of preventive things you can do to fight off colds and flu viruses. And it may seem like common sense, but now it’s proven that getting less than 6 or 7 hours a sleep can dramatically increase your risk of infection. It’s a fascinating study which is addressed in the following article  from the New York Times. …Continue reading: Fight the Flu? Get Some Sleep!…

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Flu Prevention: Simple Precautions Really Work

By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on September 25th, 2009%

Now that we are in the midst of flu season, there’s a lot of anxiety about vaccines and treatments. So it’s always good to be reminded of good old common sense practices to prevent infection in the first place. This week, esteemed British Medical Journal has published an excellent review article (link at bottom) which looks at those simple precautions — and yes, indeed, there’s excellent evidence that common sense works! …Continue reading: Flu Prevention: Simple Precautions Really Work…

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Leave a comment   Wellness   , , ,  
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