ATTACKING SYMPTOMS BEST DEFENSE IN FIGHT AGAINST COMMON COLD; EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF AROMATHERAPY

Your head feels swollen to twice its normal size and is so congested your ears are popping. Your eyes alternate between watery and sand papery. Your nose is runny and raw, your throat is singed by coughing and breathing isn't quite the automatic reflex it was yesterday.

You have a cold. Now what?

There's not a heck of a lot you can do. Modern medicine has achieved many miracles, but a cure for the common cold isn't among them.

"You basically treat the symptoms that are present," said Jane Wernsman, nursing supervisor at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. "If you have an elevated temperature or fever, you're going to want to take something to bring it down."

Cough syrups, decongestants and antihistamines are also part of the over-the-counter arsenal in the war on sniffles and wheezing and sneezing, she said.

Sufferers with chronic health problems should check with their physicians to make sure the OTC remedies won't interfere with their prescriptions, and if symptoms last more than a week or so, it's probably time to go to the doctor to make sure the cold isn't really something more serious.

Fluids are important, and so is getting enough sleep, Wernsman said.

"The main things I would recommend would be getting the fluids and the rest and seeking the advice of your physician," she said.

The corner drugstore isn't the only source for cold remedies. Herbal remedies can be an effective alternative for treating colds and other illnesses, said Teresa Pullum, an herbalist and owner of Sunshine Corner Herb Shop in Cape Girardeau.

"The number one things that people use around here are echinacea and goldenseal," Pullum said. "They'll take those two things together."

In addition to treating the symptoms, she said, the herbs also help build up the immune system to prevent future illnesses.

A variety of herbal teas, tonics and oils are available to treat colds, flu and other illnesses, she said.

Another natural remedy may not sound very appetizing, but Pullum says it works.

"You just cook a garlic bulb and mix it with apple cider, vinegar and raw honey," she said.

To ease congestion, soak a flannel cloth in castor oil and place it on the chest under a hot water bottle or heating pad, Pullum said. Eucalyptus oil in a tubful of hot water also eases congestion, but the oil has not been approved by the FDA for ingestion.

Herbal remedies are gaining popularity, Pullum said, but there's nothing new about them. The first medicines were made from herbs and plants, "and a lot of prescription medicines today come from plants," she said. One example is Valium, the prescription tranquilizer, which is made from the plant valerian.

Herbal remedies are "all-natural," she said, but that doesn't mean they're harmless. As with any drug, it's important to use the recommended dosage, and to make sure that the herbal remedy won't interfere with other medications being used. Some herbs shouldn't be used by pregnant women or people with epilepsy, and some can't be taken internally or used on the skin.

"You've got to use common sense," Pullum said. "If it's serious, you need to go to the doctor. You have to take that responsibility."

Colds can't be cured, but they can be prevented, Wernsman said.

"Stay home and never leave your house," she joked. "Become a hermit."

Since total isolation isn't always practical, good hygiene can eliminate a lot of the risk of catching colds and other infectious diseases, Wernsman said.

"Good hand washing is the best prevention of any communicable disease," she said. "Avoiding crowds, if you're susceptible to colds and upper respiratory problems, is a good idea. So is being in good general health, which means good nutrition, exercise, getting enough rest. Going into winter healthy would probably be a real plus."

Other steps that can be taken included wiping down telephone receivers with disinfectant to make sure germs aren't shared, disposing of used tissues and remembering to cover the mouth or nose when coughing and sneezing, Wernsman said.

TIPS TO AVOID COLDS

It's the time of year for sniffles and sneezes and general misery. To help prevent and treat colds, health experts recommend the following steps:

*Wash your hands. This simple step cuts down dramatically on the spread of rhino viruses, which cause colds, as well as many other communicable diseases.

*Dispose of used tissues and disinfect work surfaces, sinktops, counters and telephones to cut down on the spread of the viruses.

*If you're susceptible to colds or upper respiratory problems, stay out of crowds.

*If you have a cold, treat the symptoms. Over-the-counter medications and herbal preparations are available for everything from reducing fevers to easing congestion.

*Get lots of rest.

*Drink lots of fluids. Hot liquids, like herbal teas and chicken soup help ease congestion and they feel good, too.