Tetra Images via Getty Images
風邪の予防や対症療法で、実際に効果があるものはどれで、「効くと言われているのに実は効果が期待できないもの」はどれなのだろうか。
カナダの医学誌「Canadian Medical Association Journal（カナディアン・メディカル・アソシエーション・ジャーナル」に発表された、風邪に関する研究結果の検証記事からご紹介しよう。
Advertisement
風邪の予防に効果的なのは、何と言っても、手洗いだ。それと、子どもの場合は（おそらく大人にも言えることだが）、亜鉛を摂取すると、風邪をひく割合と学校の病欠日数を減らせるかもしれない。
また、乳酸菌など、人体に好影響をもたらす微生物を摂取する「プロバイオティクス」も良いという。とはいえ、検証した研究ではそれぞれ異なる種類のバクテリアが用いられているため、単純に比較することは難しいようだ。
では、風邪をひいてしまったらどうすればいいのだろうか。5歳以上であれば、抗ヒスタミン剤を含んだ鼻づまりの薬か、鎮痛剤の両方、またはいずれか一方が有効だという。
Advertisement
イプラトロピウムが配合された鼻腔用スプレーは、鼻水の症状は和らげてくれるものの、鼻づまりには効かない。
効果がない薬としては、咳止め薬が挙げられている。大人の場合は多少の効果が期待できるらしいが、子どもには効かないという。1歳以上の子どもの咳を抑えたいなら、はちみつの方がいいだろう（はちみつにはボツリヌス菌がまれに眠った状態で含まれている場合があるため、1歳未満の子供には与えてはいけない）。
胸に塗る咳止め薬やうがい、朝鮮ニンジン、ホメオパシー、さらにはビタミンCや抗生物質などは、風邪の症状を和らげるという確実な証拠は見つかっていない。
検証を行なった研究者は、同誌でこう述べている。「大半の代替療法は、その効果の有無を断定できない。鼻洗浄、加湿、漢方薬、アメリカ先住民のハーブと呼ばれるエキナセアなど、どれも研究結果に一貫性がないからである」
数々の研究結果を対象にした今回の検証は、カナダのアルバータ大学およびニュージーランドのオークランド大学の研究者たちによって行なわれた。
Advertisement
[(English) 日本語版：遠藤康子/ガリレオ]
ハフィントンポスト日本版はFacebook ページでも情報発信しています。
ハフィントンポスト日本版はTwitterでも情報発信しています。@HuffPostJapan をフォロー
関連記事
Hand Washing
Flickr:peapod labs
There may be no more promoted solution to avoiding the flu this year (besides the flu shot, of course) than diligent hand washing. As many as 80 percent of infections are transmitted via contact like sneezing, coughing or touching surfaces that have been sneezed or coughed on, says Tierno, and then touching \"your mouth, eyes or nose, which are the conduits of viruses into the body.\" He recommends scrubbing before eating, drinking or touching your face, and disinfecting shared surfaces in the home (like the bathroom) and the office, like phones, computers and fridge door handles.
Sleep
Flickr:bradleygee
While you\'re off in dreamland, your body gets to work repairing cells and injuries you may have incurred during the normal day\'s wear and tear, says Tierno. Getting your seven to nine hours a night means your body can repair and heal itself and ward off infections. \"If you don\'t get the appropriate sleep, that system is not operating and you\'re on a steady decline over time,\" he says.\n\nIn fact, skimping on sleep is as disruptive to the immune system as stress, according to a 2012 study. And earlier research suggested that sleep patterns may play a role in a gene that helps fight off bacteria and viruses.
Exercise
Flickr:Official U.S. Navy Imagery
Getting your blood pumping regularly can increase the activity of a type of white blood cells that attacks viruses. Shoot for an hour a day, says Tierno -- but not necessarily all at once. \"Even if it\'s walking around the office, up stairs, down stairs, to and from work -- it doesn\'t have to be continuous,\" he says.
Advertisement
Zinc
Flickr:cherrylet
Getting the proper amount of the right nutrients and minerals as part of a healthy diet \"leaves the body in optimal condition to fight the battle,\" says Tierno. This means cutting back on sugary, fatty foods and upping your intake of vegetables, fruit and lean protein, he says. One of those nutrients that gets a particularly healthy reputation during cold and flu season is zinc, and for good reason. \"Zinc interferes with viruses gaining full access to our cells,\" he says. \"Zinc may block certain metabolic activity.\" While it\'s not the end-all cure, foods rich in zinc, like oysters and wheat germ, may offer some protection.
Garlic
Flickr:flowercarole
The anti-microbial properties of this pungent bulb (and its relative, the onion) can fight off certain bacteria and viruses, says Tierno, as can the compounds in other herbs and spices, like thyme.\n\nIt\'s likely due to the compound allicin, which seems to block infections. Try it in your next bowl of soothing chicken soup!
Water
Flickr:StockPhotosforFree.com
Thankfully, most of us are inhabiting cozy-warm homes this winter, but those cranking radiators come with a downside. Indoor winter air is much dryer than our bodies would like. Without sufficient moisture, says Tierno, \"immune system cells can\'t optimally work,\" so it\'s important to stay hydrated. (A humidifier can also help.)
Advertisement
Skipping Happy Hour
Flickr:Matthew Wilkinson
Alcohol suppresses both the part of the immune system that protects you from coming down with something and the part that fights off the germs already in your system, so knocking a few too many back can put you at increased risk for catching the bug going around -- and having trouble kicking it.
Laughter
Flickr:Mike Monaghan
A positive attitude can take you far -- even, maybe, to age 100. But along the way, a life of laughter and optimism could also help you sniffle through fewer bouts of the flu or colds. While there\'s much that\'s still not well understood about the process, it seems that certain immune cells are produced by a big belly laugh, says Tierno.
Massage
Shutterstock
A favorite solution for de-stressing, massage can also help you stay physically healthy. While there\'s been little research into exactly how it works, massage certainly increases circulation, which may help promote the general \"state of wellness in the body,\" says Tierno. \"Nutrients are passed around better, the blood flow is better,\" he says. \"It\'s a very useful thing to get a massage.\"
Advertisement
Sex
Shutterstock
A 1999 study found that getting frisky a couple of times a week can boost immunoglobin A, an antibody that fights off colds. Just make sure your partner isn\'t already sick!