Unveiling the Secrets of Saline Solutions: Your Best Defense Against Colds

2024-09-06 14:31:22

September 06, 2024

Hypertonic salt water nasal drops could reduce the duration of colds in children by two days, according to a study to be presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna (7-11 September 2024). The drops may also reduce the spread of colds to family members.

Children have up to 10 to 12 upper respiratory infections a year, known as colds. There are medications to improve symptoms, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, but none treatment does not cure a cold any faster. The use of saline solutions to clear children’s noses in case of winter infections is common. The ELVIS-Kids randomized controlled trial looked at the question of its effectiveness and the answer is positive. Professor Steve Cunningham of the Child Life and Health Unit (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom) co-author of the study, explains: ” We found that children using saline nose drops had cold symptoms for an average of six days, compared with eight days for those receiving usual care. Children receiving saline drops also needed less medication during the illness. ».

An interest in using saline nasal drops

The research team recruited 407 children under the age of six. They were given either hypertonic saline nasal drops (about 2.6%) or usual cold care. A total of 301 children developed a cold; for 150 of them, their parents were trained to prepare and apply the saline nasal drops (three drops per nostril, at least four times a day, until the cold healed). The other 151 children received usual care.

Bottom line: Fewer families reported getting a cold when children used the saline drops (46% vs. 61% for usual care). 82% of parents said the nasal drops helped their child get better faster, and 81% said they would use them again.

Independent observer of the study, Professor Alexander Möeller, head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at the University Children’s Hospital in Zurich (Switzerland), believes that this is ” of a major study, the first of its kind to examine the impact of saline nose drops in children with colds ». »

A valid explanation

The researchers explain the benefit of these drops, available in pharmacies, as follows: salt is composed of sodium and chloride. Chloride is used by the cells that line the nose and bronchi to produce hypochlorous acid, which helps them defend against viral infections. By providing extra chloride, it allows the cells to produce more hypochlorous acid, which helps suppress virus replication and reduce the duration of the infection.

Source : European Respiratory Society Congress – Abstract no: OA1985 “A randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nose drops as a treatment in children with the common cold (ELVIS-Kids trial)”, by Dr Sandeep Ramalingam et al; Sunday 8 September 2024.

Written by: Hélène Joubert – Edited by Vincent Roche

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#Colds #saline #solutions #effective #Featured

What ​are the key findings ⁢of ⁣the ELVIS-Kids study on hypertonic salt water nasal drops in children?⁣ ⁣

Hypertonic Salt Water Nasal Drops: A Breakthrough in Reducing the Duration of Colds in Children

As the weather starts to cool down, the inevitable ⁣cold and flu season approaches, bringing with it a wave of sniffles, coughs, ⁣and congested noses. But what ‍if there was a simple and effective way to reduce the duration of colds in children by two whole days? A recent⁣ study presented at the ⁤European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna has found that hypertonic salt​ water nasal drops may be just‌ the thing.

The Problem⁢ of Colds ⁤in Children

Children are prone to frequent upper respiratory ​infections, with up to 10-12 colds⁢ per year being the norm. ​While medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can help alleviate symptoms, they don’t actually cure the cold any faster. The use ⁣of saline solutions to clear children’s noses is a common ‍practice, but until now, there has been‍ little⁤ research on its effectiveness.

The ELVIS-Kids Study

The ELVIS-Kids randomized controlled trial recruited 407 children under⁤ the age of six and divided them into two groups: those receiving hypertonic saline nasal drops (about 2.6%) and those receiving usual cold care. ⁣The results were striking: children using saline nose drops had cold symptoms for an average ⁤of six days, compared to ⁢eight days for those⁢ receiving usual care. Moreover, children ⁣receiving‍ saline drops needed less medication during the illness.

The Benefits of ​Saline Nasal Drops

But how do saline nasal drops work their magic? The key lies in the composition of salt, ⁢which⁤ is made up of sodium and chloride. Chloride ‌is used by the cells that line the nose and bronchi to produce hypochlorous acid, which helps them defend against viral infections. By providing extra chloride, it allows the cells to produce more hypochlorous acid, which ⁢helps suppress​ virus replication and reduce the duration of the infection [[3]].

Real-World Data Supports Hypertonic Saline Use

Studies have shown that hypertonic saline solutions are ‍in ⁤broad medicinal use for the ⁣treatment‍ of various disorders of the nose and paranasal sinuses [[1]]. Additionally, hypertonic saline ⁢nasal irrigation has been found⁢ to increase mucociliary clearance and ‌ciliary beat frequency [[3]]. These ‍findings support the use of hypertonic saline nasal drops ​as a viable treatment option​ for colds in children.

Practical Applications

The ELVIS-Kids study provides a simple and ‌effective solution for ⁢parents and caregivers. Hypertonic⁣ saline nasal drops are ​widely available in pharmacies and can be easily ​administered to children. By using these⁣ drops, parents can help reduce the duration‍ of their child’s cold and even prevent ⁣the spread of the infection to family members.

Conclusion

the⁢ use of hypertonic saline⁤ nasal drops has been shown to be a promising treatment ⁢for reducing the duration of colds in children. With its simple administration and availability⁣ in pharmacies, this treatment option is a breath of fresh air for parents and caregivers. As ‍Professor Steve Cunningham, co-author of the study, notes, “Children receiving saline drops also needed less medication during the illness.” This finding highlights the potential for saline nasal drops to not ⁢only reduce the duration of colds but also reduce the need for ​medication.

References

[1] di C Bergmann · 2019 · Citato ​da 7 — Hypertonic saline solutions are in broad medicinal use for treatment of various disorders of nose ⁢and paranasal⁢ sinuses.

[2] Hypertonic Saline Nasal Irrigation – Michigan Medicine ⁤Hypertonic⁤ Saline Nasal Irrigation is the ⁤practice of flushing the nose and the⁤ sinus spaces around it with saline that has a higher concentration of salt.

[3] Treatment with hypertonic saline versus normal… di D Shoseyov · ​1998 ⁢· Citato​ da 316 — Hypertonic NaCl solution has been shown to increase ⁣mucociliary clearance and ciliary beat frequency.⁤

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Hypertonic Salt Water Nasal Drops: A Breakthrough in Reducing Cold Duration in Children

As parents, there is nothing more frustrating than watching our children suffer from the common cold. With up to 10 to 12 upper respiratory infections a year, it’s no wonder that researchers have been working hard to find a solution to alleviate the symptoms and reduce the duration of colds in children. And now, a breakthrough study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna has shed new light on the effectiveness of hypertonic salt water nasal drops in reducing the duration of colds in children by two days.

The ELVIS-Kids Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The ELVIS-Kids study, conducted by Professor Steve Cunningham of the Child Life and Health Unit (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom), recruited 407 children under the age of six and randomly assigned them to receive either hypertonic saline nasal drops (about 2.6%) or usual cold care. The results were remarkable: children using saline nose drops had cold symptoms for an average of six days, compared with eight days for those receiving usual care. Moreover, children receiving saline drops also needed less medication during the illness.

Reducing the Spread of Colds to Family Members

Not only did the study show that hypertonic saline nasal drops reduced the duration of colds in children, but it also found that fewer families reported getting a cold when children used the saline drops (46% vs. 61% for usual care). This is a significant finding, as it suggests that the use of hypertonic saline nasal drops may also reduce the spread of colds to family members.

A Valid Explanation for the Benefits of Hypertonic Saline Nasal Drops

So, how do hypertonic saline nasal drops work? The researchers