Nose upholstery is the healthier alternative

Nose upholstery healthier than Naseputzen

27.12.2012

The nasehochziehen disgusted some fellow human beings, but offers for the Verschnupften under health aspects clear advantages over the Schnäuzen, explains Hartmut Kuske from the German family doctors Association „World Online“. Because the pressure Naseputzen could lead to the cold viruses reach deep into the paranasal sinuses and there cause further complaints such as a sinusitis, so the statement of the physician.

While, for example, in China raising the nose in case of a runny nose is completely normal and the use of a handkerchief causes astonishment or disgust, Europeans often turn away disgusted when they pull their noses up. From a health point of view, however, this offers some advantages. „My advice is to pull up the nasal mucus as often as possible in case of cold“, emphasized Hartmut Kuske, who works as a general practitioner in Bernau near Berlin. However, the expert advises against vigorous whining as the pathogens can thus reach deep into the paranasal sinuses „and once they get in there, they usually do not come out again without problems.“ Not infrequently, the result is a painful and protracted sinusitis.

Avoid high pressure when cleaning your nose
Most Germans regularly use a handkerchief when it comes to constant colds, but they catch themselves this way „often additional problems“, explained Hartmut Kuske. Nose upholstery does not correspond to the valid etiquette, be „but clearly healthier.“ In order not to offend against the social norms and attract attention, instead of the noisy pulling up the nose could be cleaned very carefully, whereby the pressure should be kept as low as possible, so the statement of the general practitioner. „Hold a nostril while whistling and reduce the pressure as much as possible“, Kuske recommends the Verschnupften.

Colds can be transmitted through door handles and telephone receivers
The virologist Dr. Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit from the Hamburg Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNI) justified the accumulation of colds between late autumn and early spring with the cold, uncomfortable weather, in which the body consumes more energy. This leads to „a local defensive weakness, for example in the nose, so that the viruses can penetrate more easily.“ Since in the high season for colds more people transmit the pathogens, an increased interpersonal danger of infection is added, especially since the viruses can be passed not only when coughing and sneezing, but also via contact surfaces such as doorbells or telephone handset. Typical cold viruses like „Adeno and rhinoviruses can survive for hours on doorknobs and be transferred as well“, stressed Dr. Schmidt-Chanasit.

Cold symptoms as a sign of the defense reaction
The pathogens penetrate the nose and mouth of the organism, they encounter immune cells in the mucous membranes, which alert the immune system, the expert explained ... Immediately, antibodies against the invaders would be formed and sent out so-called phagocytes to destroy the infected cells to the viruses again to eliminate from the organism. The symptoms such as cold and fever are actually immune responses of the body. The mucous membranes of the nose are supplied with more blood, then swell and form a secretion with which the viruses are removed. Also, the perceived as a fever increase in body temperature should actually help kill the germs. As the organism concentrates its forces on the fight against the infection, those affected feel generally ailing and dull. If the elimination of the infection succeeds, the immune system is resistant to the corresponding pathogens, but that is enough „The protection is not enough to repel other pathogens, and therefore it may then come back to other colds“, explained Dr. Schmidt-Chanasit.

Warm potato wraps as an alternative cold treatment
While colds are not usually a particular health risk, patients with already compromised immune systems and pregnant women should be extra cautious. In pregnant women also wants in the context of treatment „the handle in the medicine cabinet be particularly well considered“, reported the technicians health insurance in a recent press release. Since some drugs of the common cold remedies also enter the bloodstream of the unborn and there could have undesirable effects, recommends the health insurance here to use existing alternatives. For example, apply „Bronchitis and sore throat warm potato wraps as a proven home remedy“, with the potatoes being cooked with the shell and placed on half of a clean kitchen towel. Then the other half of the cloth is beaten over it and the potatoes are crushed, reports the TK. The potato cloth should then beat in another cloth and the wrap for half an hour to be placed on the chest or neck, reports the health insurance. To avoid burns, the TK advises to check the temperature with the forearm.

Nasal showers, inhalation and strengthening of the immune system effective against colds
As another alternative treatment against colds called the health insurance in their recent press release, including the use of nasal douches and the „Inhalation with a few drops of essential oil, which are doused with hot water.“ As part of the prevention of colds, the TC also generally advises measures that strengthen the immune system and compliance with health rules. „Sufficient hand washing keeps cold viruses at a distance“, important, however, is important „also to keep distance to obviously ill people“, so the message of TK. (Fp)

Also read:
Home remedies for colds
Self-treatment for a cold
Prevent Cold: Vitamin C offers little help
Zinc as a helper against colds