Common Cold Center - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Family Physician Doctors for Common ColdType of Physician: Family Physician What is a Family Physician? A certification by the Board of Family Practice; practitioners prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of ailments in patients of all ages, placing special emphasis on the care of families on a continuing basis. They have received a broad range of training that includes surgery, psychiatry, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and geriatrics. Specialty: Family Practice Common Name: Family Doctor Family Physician Doctors in Santa Monica * Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine  Family Health Associates of Santa Monica  Family Health Associates of Santa Monica  Family Health Associates of Santa Monica  Family Health Associates of Santa Monica  Douglas Hopper MD  UCLA Internal Medicine  Martin L Alpert MD  UCLA Medical Center Primary Care  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  UCLA Medical Center Primary Care  Martin L Alpert MD  UCLA Medical Center Primary Care  UCLA Medical Center Primary Care  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  UCLA Santa Monica Sports Medicine  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  UCLA Les Kelley Family Center  Keith Deorio MD  UCLA Les Kelley Family Center  UCLA Les Kelley Family Center  UCLA Les Kelley Family Center  UCLA Les Kelley Family Center  UCLA Les Kelley Family Center  UCLA Les Kelley Family Center  UCLA Les Kelley Family Center  UCLA Les Kelley Family Center  Terri L Rock MD  Lauren Swerdloff MD  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Brent J Michael MD  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Stephen Patt MD  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Venice Family Clinic  UCLA Medical Group  Elliot D Felman MD  UCLA Medical Group  West Side Primary Care  UCLA Medical Group  UCLA Medical Group  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  West Side Family Healthcare Center  Peter Birnstein MD  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Jennifer Sudarsky MD  Jennifer Sudarsky MD  Ronald Kurylowicz MD  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  David A Boska MD  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Robert M Kahn MD  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Lori A Musto DO  Pacific Palisades Medical Group  Pacific Palisades Medical Group  Pacific Palisades Medical Group  Joseph Sciabbarrasi MD  Ramona Jopling Bowers MD  Van T Nguyen MD  Dr Steven L Rosenblatt  Elite Personal Physician Services  Raphael Darvish MD  Citizens Medical Group  General Practice & Sports Medicine  Longevity Medical Center  Longevity Medical Center  Access Medical Group  Access Medical Group  Firoz Sheikh MD  Access Medical Group  Peak Health Medical Group  Peak Health Medical Group  Peak Health Medical Group  Peak Health Medical Group  Peak Health Medical Group  TLC Skin Laser Center  Augusto Rojas MD  Integrated Healthcare Medical Group Inc  Donald W Plance DO LLC  Judy M Mann MD  Sana Medical Group  Baldev K Devgan & Manju Devgan MDs  Health Partners  Ellie Ghadishah MD  UCLA Family Medicine  UCLA Family Medicine Santa Monica, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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Common ColdRead the Common Cold article » What is the common cold, and what causes it?The common cold, also known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection, is a self-limited contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses. More than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause the common cold. Because so many different viruses can cause a cold and because new cold viruses constantly develop, the body never builds up resistance against all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. In fact, children in preschool and elementary school can have three to 12 colds per year while adolescents and adults typically have two to four colds per year. The common cold is the most frequently occurring illness in the world, and it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.
What are the symptoms of the common cold?Symptoms of the common cold include nasal stuffiness or drainage, sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, hoarseness, cough, and perhaps a fever and headache. Many people with a cold feel tired and achy. These symptoms will typically last anywhere from three to 10 days.
How is the common cold spread?The common cold is usually spread by direct hand-to-hand contact with infected secretions or from contaminated surfaces. For example, if a person with a cold blows or touches their nose and then touches someone else, that person can subsequently become infected with the virus. Additionally, a cold virus can live on objects such as pens, books, telephones, computer keyboards, and coffee cups for several hours and can thus be acquired from contact with these objects.
Does it have anything to do with exposure to cold weather?Though the common cold usually occurs in the fall and winter months, the cold weather itself does not cause the common cold. Rather, it is thought that during... Recommended Reading Related to Common ColdEustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears) » What is the Eustachian tube?The Eustachian tube is a tube that originates in the back of the nose, runs a slightly uphill course, and ends in the middle ear space. The middle ear space is the hollowed out portion of the skull bone that contains the hearing apparatus and is covered on one side by the eardrum. In adults, the Eustachian tube is approximately 35 mm long (1.3 inches) and approximately 3 mm in diameter (less than 1/10 inch). Cartilage provides the supporting structure for the first two-thirds of the Eustachian tube, with the last third (the part closest to the middle ear space) being made of bone. The tissue that lines the Eustachian tube is similar to that inside the nasal cavity and may respond the same way (swelling) when presented with similar stimuli. The Eustachian tube was named in honor of the 16th century Italian anatomiast Eustachius. Sources credit Almaceon of Sparta as the first to describe the structure in approximately 400 BC... Read the Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears) article » Other Related Common Cold ArticlesEmergency Contact for Santa Monica
Nearby Santa Monica Hospitals *Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center Saint John's Health Center Marina Del Rey Hospital Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital Brotman Medical Center Kindred Hospital Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Miracle Mile Medical Center Olympia Medical Center Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center Centinela Campus VA Greater Los Angeles HealthCare System Encino Hospital Medical Center Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center Hawthorne Campus Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center Sherman Oaks Hospital Hollywood Community Hospital Tarzana Regional Medical Center Hollywood Community Hospital of Van Nuys Shriners Hospitals for Children Los Angeles Orthopaedic Medical Center Temple Community Hospital Valley Presbyterian Hospital Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center Childrens Hospital Los Angeles St Vincent Medical Center California Hospital Medical Center Motion Picture & Television Hospital Good Samaritan Hospital Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Vista Hospital of South Bay Memorial Hospital of Gardena Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Center Barlow Respiratory Hospital Mission Community Hospital Northridge Hospital Medical Center Kaiser Mental Health Center Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center Pacific Alliance Medical Center Community Hospital of Huntington Park West Hills Hospital & Medical Center Glendale Memorial Hospital & Health Center Martin Luther King Jr MAC Service Center White Memorial Medical Center Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles Torrance Memorial Medical Center Del Amo Hospital LAC + USC Medical Center LAC + USC Medical Center Women's & Children's Hospital Pacifica Hospital of the Valley USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center LAC Harbor UCLA Medical Center USC University Hospital St Francis Medical Center Los Angeles Community Hospital East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital Glendale Adventist Medical Center Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Monterey Park Hospital Alhambra Hospital Medical Center Verdugo Hills Hospital Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles Suburban Medical Center Campus Huntington Hospital Downey Regional Medical Center Garfield Medical Center Olive View UCLA Medical Center Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center Pacific Hospital of Long Beach Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Common Cold by Our Doctors
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Headache
- Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
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Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)
- Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home. However, a person should be seen by a health care professional if they have a sore throat that has a rapid onset, and is associated with a fever or tenderness of the front of the neck; a sore throat that causes the person to have difficulty swallowing (not just pain swallowing) or breathing; or if a sore throat lasts for more than a week.
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Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly. They can sometimes be tender, painful or disfiguring. The treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends upon the cause.
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Sinus Infection
- Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
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Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
- An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx. Common causes of an upper respiratory infection include bacteria and viruses such as rhinoviruses, group A streptococci, influenza, respiratory syncytial, whooping cough, diphtheria, and Epstein-Barre. Examples of symptoms of upper respiratory infection include sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Treatment of upper respiratory infection are generally with OTC medication and home remedies.
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Chronic Cough
- Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Treatment of chronic cough is dependant upon the cause.
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Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears)
- The Eustachian tube is a membrane lined tube that connects the middle ear space to the back of the nose. Problems include partial or complete blockage which can cause popping, clicking, and ear fullness. Allergies, sinus and ear infections, or the common cold can cause this blockage, while altitude changes can cause symptoms in those persons with Eustachian tube problems. Treatment includes several maneuvers (swallowing, chewing gum, yawning etc.), which can be done to improve Eustachian tube function.
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Laryngitis
- Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (vocal cords). The most common cause of acute laryngitis is infection, which inflames the vocal cords. Symptoms may vary from degree of laryngitis and age of the patient. Common symptoms include croup, hoarse cough, fever, cold, runny nose, dry cough, and loss of voice. Chronic laryngitis generally lasts more than three weeks. Causes other than infection include smoking, excess coughing, GERD, and more. Treatment depends on the cause of laryngitis.
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Sinus Headache
- Sinus headache is caused by a sinus infection or inflammation of the sinus cavities. The primary symptom of a sinus infection is pain and increasing pressure overlying the area and associated tenderness to the touch. Treatment of a sinus headache depends on the cause.
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Snoring
- Snoring, like all other sounds, is caused by vibrations that cause particles in the air to form sound waves. While we are asleep, turbulent air flow can cause the tissues of the nose and throat to vibrate and give rise to snoring. Any person can snore. Snoring is believed to occur in anywhere from 30% of women to over 45% of men. People who snore can have any body type. In general, as people get older and as they gain weight, snoring will worsen. Snoring can be caused by a number of things, including the sleep position, alcohol, medication, anatomical structure of the mouth and throat, stage of sleep, and mouth breathing.
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Cold, Flu, Allergy Treatments
- Before treating a cold, the flu, or allergies with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, it's important to know what's causing the symptoms, which symptoms one wishes to relieve, and the active ingredients in the OTC product. Taking products that only contain the medications needed for relieving your symptoms prevents ingestion of unnecessary medications and reduces the chances of side effects.
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Adenovirus 14
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Bad Breath
- Bad breath can result from poor oral hygien habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be made worse by the types of food you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
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Reye's Syndrome
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus
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Children's Health
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Headaches in Children
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Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds
- If you have a COPD such as emphysema, avoiding chronic bronchitis and colds is important to avoid a more severe respiratory infection such as pneumonia. Avoiding cigarette smoking, practice good hygeine, stay away from crowds, and alerting your healthcare provider if you have a sinus infection or cold or cough that becomes worse. Treatment options depend upon the severity of the emphysema, bronchitis, or cold combination.
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Health and the Workplace
- Early warning signs of job stress include headache, sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, and low morale. Stress on the job can be damaging to your health in that job stress is the outcome when job demands cannot be met.
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Headache
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Medications
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