New Study Presents Education Opportunity: Nasal zinc side effects spark discussions about alternative treatments

by Richard Quinn •

Dr. Holbrook said physicians can only be so aggressive about how they educate their patients. An overly aggressive approach “can be counterproductive.” To that end, Dr. Stewart talks with his patients about their desire to use treatments, their personal experience with such alternatives and the accumulation of research on a given topic, what he calls the “three-legged stool of evidence-based treatment.”

Dr. Stewart noted, however, that the discussion occurs more often with younger patients, a generational issue he attributes to the information age. Whereas patients 20 years ago would take a physician’s advice without question, technologically savvy patients now come to appointments armed with printouts from alternative medicine websites and WebMD.

“Everybody’s looking for that magic that will cure the common cold, make it pass faster and less severe,” Dr. Fong said. “That really doesn’t exist.”

Alternative Treatments for the Common Cold

TREATMENT – Intranasal zinc therapies
PROS – Some studies have shown reduced duration and severity of colds
CONS – Associated with anosmia in certain cases

TREATMENT – Echinacea
PROS – Some believe the flowering plant can stave off, or reduce the length of, colds
CONS – No proven medicinal benefit; more research warranted

TREATMENT – Vitamin C
PROS – One study showed a slight reduction in the duration and severity of cold symptoms.
CONS – Generally considered safe, although side effects can develop after massive doses

TREATMENT – Nasal irrigation
PROS – Mucus removal can alleviate symptoms
CONS – No proven medicinal benefit, though no long-term concerns have been noted

Source: The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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