For how we live.
No trial shows chicken soup cures or shortens a cold. But two small, decades-old studies found it clears nasal mucus faster than plain hot water and calms one inflammatory cell in the lab — a case for comfort, not cure.
Acute otitis externa is usually treated with ear drops, not tablets. In trials antibiotic-steroid drops cured most people, and guidelines say not to start with oral antibiotics for an uncomplicated case.
A Cochrane review found no evidence that antibiotics ease the pain of an inflamed tooth nerve. The best trial evidence points to ibuprofen, with paracetamol added — but only a dentist fixes the cause.
Hoarseness affects nearly a third of people at some point. Most cases are viral and settle on their own; voice therapy helps persistent ones, and a voice change lasting weeks needs a look at the vocal cords.
The commonest cause of spinning dizziness is loose inner-ear crystals. In trials the Epley manoeuvre cleared vertigo in 56% of people versus 21% with a sham, and guidelines advise against reaching for drugs.
Two Cochrane reviews found that for ordinary acute low back pain, advice to rest in bed is slightly worse than advice to stay active. For sciatica, it makes little difference either way.