Cochrane

Review question We reviewed the evidence about the effectiveness and safety of xylitol to prevent acute middle ear infection (acute otitis media; AOM) in children up to 12 years old. Background AOM is the most common bacterial infection among young children in the United States. Although serious complications are rare, this common childhood ailment ...

Review question Do patients suffering from vertigo from different causes benefit from the drug betahistine? Background Vertigo is a symptom in which individuals experience a false sensation of movement. This type of dizziness is thought to originate in the inner ear balance organ or its connections to the brain. It is a commonly experienced symptom ...

Review question This review compared the effects of oral antibiotics against placebo, no treatment or other therapies in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) or 'glue ear'. Background Glue ear is one of the most common conditions of early childhood. Glue ear means that there is fluid in the middle ear space behind the eardrum. This may ...

Review question We reviewed the effect of influenza vaccine on preventing acute otitis media (AOM) in infants and children. We identified 10 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 16,707 children aged six months to six years, of either sex and of any ethnicity, with or without a history of recurrent AOM. Background AOM is one of the most common ...

Review question We undertook a review to determine the effectiveness of over-the-counter cough medicines in reducing cough in children and adults in community settings. We found 29 trials involving 4835 people. Background Acute cough is a common and troublesome symptom in children and adults suffering from acute upper respiratory tract infection ...

Preparations of the plant Echinacea are widely used in some European countries and in North America for common colds. Echinacea preparations available on the market differ greatly as different types (species) and parts (herb, root or both) of the plant are used, different manufacturing methods (drying, alcoholic extraction or pressing out the juice ...

The common cold is a major cause of visits to a doctor in high-income countries and of absenteeism from work and school. There are over 200 viruses which can cause the common cold symptoms including runny nose, congestion, sneezing, sore throat, cough, and sometimes headache, fever and red eyes. Symptoms vary from person to person and cold to cold. ...

Tinnitus can be described as a perception of sound that is not related to an external acoustic source. Subjective tinnitus is not heard by anyone else but the sufferer. At present no particular treatment for tinnitus has been found effective in all patients. Sound therapy (also known as masking devices) was introduced on the principle of distraction ...

Allergic rhinitis is a common health problem affecting about 500 million people worldwide; its prevalence is increasing. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, and an itchy, runny and blocked nose. Several classes of drugs are used to treat allergic rhinitis, but these drugs may be ineffective, and some drug classes have side effects after ...

Allergic rhinitis is characterised by red, itchy eyes, a blocked and runny nose, and sneezing. The most common causes of allergic rhinitis are different pollens (grass and tree), house dust mites, mould and animal dander. Allergic rhinitis can be intermittent (such as hay fever) or persistent (all year round). The treatment of allergic rhinitis depends ...