What Medicines Works Best To Relieve Which Cold Symptoms
Your bodys natural reaction is to fight off a virus through cold symptoms.
For example, a fever kills the cold virus, and a runny nose and cough help expel germs from your body.
So often, using simple home remedies and spending time in bed is the best way to treat a cold.
That said, if you need extra help to get through the day, there are many options that may relieve your cold symptoms.
Keep in mind, the common cold is not curable, and these medicines only offer symptomatic relief.
What Can I Do
While you wait for your infection to run its course, you can take steps at home to feel better.
Look into nasal sprays. Store-bought saline nasal spray loosens up mucus, temporarily clearing it from your nasal passages. A steroid nasal spray like fluticasone may help tame inflammation, especially if you have underlying allergies. Unsure about using a steroid? Follow package directions and go to your HCP with questions.
Be wary of decongestant nasal sprays, like oxymetazoline . Using them for longer than three days could cause rebound symptoms persistent stuffiness eased only by the spray itself. Dryness and addiction are also possibilities.
Embrace sinus rinses like the neti pot. Many sinus infection veterans swear by nasal irrigation systems, such as plastic squeeze bottles or teakettle-shaped neti pots. These devices are filled with a sterile saline solution and used to flush snot from your sinuses.
Neti pots and their ilk are widely available and typically safe, as long as you handle them properly. Dont use water directly from your tap. Instead use distilled water, a sterile saline solution or water that has been boiled and then cooled.
Try over-the-counter medicines. Experts recommend analgesics including acetaminophen , ibuprofen and aspirin to ease pain, as well as decongestants like pseudoephedrine to alleviate the pressure of congestion.
Finally, you may want to avoid flying or scuba diving, since either can aggravate sinus pain.
Puriya Natural Chest And Nasal Congestion Relief
Despite inhalable remedies being the least effective according to research, the best based on consumer reviews is Puriya Breathe-Ease Balm Natural Congestion Relief. This natural balm is slathered over the chest, around the nostrils, and even on the upper back to resolve congestion.
The product has a very high eucalyptus content, which leaves a lasting menthol sensation on the skin. The scent penetrates mucus and provides clarity against congestion, as well as relieves heaviness in the chest.
Combining effectiveness, fast results, and safety, this all natural remedy has become a hit among buyers who want a product that will guarantee relief without risking side effects and adverse reactions.
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Treatment For Colds And Sinus Infections
All colds and most sinus infections are caused by viruses, and clear up on their own without treatment. Know that antibiotics do not work against viruses. Cold and sinus infection treatment involves relieving symptoms. Home remedies and over-the-counter medications can help you feel better, but they do not shorten the length of the illness. Getting plenty of rest, drinking enough water, applying a warm compress to your sinus area and using a humidifier can make you more comfortable.
Over-the-counter medications can also help alleviate cold and sinus symptoms. Read labels closely when choosing a medication. Note that combination medicines contain more than one active ingredient. For example, Alka Seltzer Plus contains several active ingredients, including acetaminophen . In this case, you’d have to be careful to not also take a separate dose of acetaminophen. You also should not take medications for symptoms you don’t have. Your pharmacist can help you find an OTC product to treat your specific symptoms:
There are no prescription medications for colds, but there are prescription medications for symptom management. One of these is ipratropium bromide , which is available as a nasal spray or as an inhaler. This nasal spray can ease a runny nose, postnasal drip and a sore throat, and the inhaler relaxes airways and prevents secretion of mucus in the nose.
Vicks Dayquil Cold & Flu
Vicks DayQuil Cold & Flu gets right to the heart of the matter by addressing congestion, coughing, and the aches and pains that come with a cold or flu. They are serious OTC relief for mild to moderate cold and flu symptoms.
What we like: Vicks DayQuil has a proven track record of relieving even severe cold symptoms. And we appreciate the triple combination of dextromethorphan, acetaminophen, and phenylephrine.
Flaws: They might be too big for some to swallow. And the non-drowsy formula is not going to appeal to everyone.
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Oral And Nasal Decongestants
Over-the-counter decongestants work by shrinking blood vessels inside the nose. There are both oral and nasal formulations.
Sudafed is an oral decongestant used to relieve nasal or sinus congestion caused by the common cold, sinusitis, and respiratory allergies. Do not use Sudafed for longer than three days as it can also lead to rebound congestion.
While Sudafed is available without a prescription, it is kept behind the pharmacy counter and requires an ID to obtain. A similar drug called Sudafed PE can be purchased without hindrance but has not proven to be anywhere near as effective as pseudoephedrine.
Nasal decongestant sprays like Afrin also provide short-term relief of a stuffy nose. It should also not be used for longer than three days due to the risk of rebound congestion .
The Best Medicine For Fever Sore Throat And/or Aches And Pains:
Acetaminophen, best known by the brand name Tylenol, is primarily used as a fever reducer, although research in the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews suggests it may also relieve cold-related aches and pains. Acetaminophen is safe for most people if taken as directed. It is found in many combination remedies, such as Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Caplets and Vicks Dayquil Cold & Flu Relief Liquicaps.
Because overdoing acetaminophen can cause serious harm to the liver, avoid using more than one product that contains it at a time to avoid exceeding the FDA-suggested daily dose of 3,000 milligrams for adults per 24-hour period.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which include aspirin, ibuprofen , and naproxen , reduce fever as well as inflammation throughout the body. Other research in the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews found that NSAIDs can greatly lessen discomfort due to headache, ear pain, muscle pain, joint pain, and sneezing.
Note: Some cold and flu remedies such as Excedrin contain both acetaminophen and an NSAID.
Numbing throat sprays and lozenges made with benzocaine , dyclonine , or phenol work like local anesthetics to provide temporary pain relief caused by a sore throat.
If youre still having a hard time navigating the cold medication aisle, talk to the pharmacist. With a little customized guidance about ingredients, you may be able to enjoy better symptom relief.
Additional reporting by Nuna Alberts.
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All Medicines Aren’t The Same
The role of cough medicine is to ease symptoms while your body heals.
As a glance at the drugstore shelves will show you, there are many, many brands of OTC cough medicines. But there are only three basic types:
Expectorants help thin mucus, making it easier to cough up. The ingredient guaifenesin is the only expectorant in the U.S., so look for it on the label if you need an expectorant.
Suppressants help cut the number of times you cough. The active ingredient listed is usually dextromethorphan . Other cough suppressants include camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol.
Combination cough products have more than one active ingredient. They have both guaifenesin and dextromethorphan. Cough medicines may also contain ingredients to help coat and soothe the throat.
Combination products may have medicines to ease other symptoms, that may include for stuffy nose, antihistamines for allergies or a runny nose, or painkillers. Choose a medicine that matches your symptoms.
Cough drops can also help relieve a cough and may ease a sore throat.
Antiviral Pills To Treat Covid
To treat the coronavirus itself, two newly-authorized antiviral pills from Pfizer and Merck will be available in Illinois “in coming weeks,” according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The pills, known as Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, will be available by prescription only “for those with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for becoming severely ill, including hospitalization or death,” the department said.
U.S. regulators authorized Pfizer’s pill, Paxlovid, and Mercks molnupiravir last month. In high-risk patients, both were shown to reduce the chances of hospitalization or death from COVID-19, although Pfizer’s was much more effective.
IDPH reported Paxlovid is expected to reduce the risk of hospitalizations by 89% and Molnupiravir by about 30%.
The antiviral pills arent for everyone who gets a positive test. The pills are intended for those with mild or moderate COVID-19 who are more likely to become seriously ill. That includes older people and those with other health conditions like heart disease, cancer or diabetes that make them more vulnerable.
Both pills were OK’d for adults while Paxlovid is authorized for children ages 12 and older.
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The Best Medicine For Nagging Cough:
Cough suppressants, known as antitussives, inhibit the cough reflex in the brain. The common cough suppressant dextromethorphan can be found alone in products such as Robitussin Cough Gels and CVS Health Tussin Cough Liquid Gels, or in combination with other active ingredients as in Vicks Dayquil Cough and Delsym Adult DM Cough + Chest Congestion Relief Liquid.
Expectorants such as guaifenesin work chiefly by thinning mucus so it is easier to cough up and out.
Antihistamines block histamine, a chemical the body releases that triggers runny nose and watery eyes. Coughs can be caused by postnasal drip a trickle of mucus and other secretions that stimulates nerves in the back of the throat in which case drying up the source with an antihistamine is the best way to treat it, says Dr. Favini. Widely used brands include Benadryl Allergy & Cold and Actifed Cold.
What To Eat When Youre Sick
When youre sick, its important to try to eat something, even if you dont particularly feel like it. In other words, starving a fever may not work.
If you have a viral infection, it is better to try to eat, says Michael J. Brown, R.Ph., a clinical pharmacist in Lake Oswego, Oregon. He says that in studies, mice with viral infections did better when they were fed versus unfed. Fevers can occur with viruses, so starving the body is not always the best plan.
But what should you eat? Lets take a look at the best foods to help your body fight infection.
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The Common Cold: A Review Of Otc Options
Blesson O. George, PharmD Candidate 2019St. Johns University, College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesQueens, New York
Associate Dean for Student AffairsAssociate Clinical ProfessorSt. Johns University, College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesQueens, New York
Emily M. Ambizas, PharmD, MPH, BCGPAssociate Clinical ProfessorSt. Johns University, College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesQueens, New YorkClinical Specialist, Rite Aid PharmacyWhitestone, New York
The common cold is often mistaken for the flu. The flu is caused by the influenza virus, classified as type A, B, or C. Types A and B affect humans, with type A generating more severe symptoms. The influenza virus can be dangerous in older people and in those patients who are immunocompromised. Nevertheless, people with influenza are sicker than those experiencing common cold symptoms and commonly manifest such signs and symptoms as temperatures greater than 102°F, chills, headaches, myalgia, and malaise .3
The common cold is the leading cause of missed work and school days during the winter months. There is no known cure. Many patients seek out nonprescription medications for symptom relief, leading to expenditures in excess of $8 billion annually on cough and cold products.4
To Treat Congestion Or A Runny Nose
Some decongestant medicine may help to treat congestion or a runny nose, according to Cleveland Clinic, though decongestant nasal sprays should only be used for a few days.
To treat a runny or stuffy nose, Cleveland Clinic recommended getting rest and drinking plenty of fluids, especially water.
Saline nasal sprays can also help to relieve symptoms, along with a Neti pot or a cool-mist humidifier.
For other at-home remedies, Cleveland Clinic said to try using essential oils, drinking hot teas, taking a facial steam or hot shower and eating spicy foods.
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Mucinex Maximum Strength Caplets
If you are tired of cold medicines that need to be taken every three or four hours, consider Mucinex Maximum Strength Caplets. Just one of these potent symptom fighters should hold you for the better part of the day.
What we like: Mucinex is useful in addressing fever and the aches and pains that accompany it. It also does an above-average job reducing congestion and enabling you to breathe easier. Also, the one capsule per day thing is hard to beat.
Flaws: A bit expensive. And it can be inconvenient to have to take it every four hours. Especially if you are trying to sleep.
When Should You Seek Emergency Medical Attention
According to Mayo Clinic, here are the emergency warning signs associated with COVID, which indicate a person should call 9-1-1 and seek medical assistance immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent chest pain or pressure
- New confusion
- Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds depending on skin tone
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Is There Something I Should Do After Acquiring A Over The Counter Flu Medicine
When a complete stranger can hear my over the counter flu medicines, I am concerned. Guns are not viewed positively by uninitiated individuals.
Our range trips make us seem like we are members of some obscure club. You are welcome to ask for my assistance. I am happy to assist you if you need anything else.
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Classification Of Blood Pressure 1
Blood pressure can be grouped into different categories: normal, elevated, stage 1, stage 2, and hypertensive crisis.
Normal
Blood pressure is normal when numbers are less than 120/80 mm Hg.
Elevated
Blood pressure is elevated when systolic blood pressure ranges from 120-129 mm Hg AND diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mm Hg. Non-medical therapy, such as heart-healthy diet and increased physical activity, is preferred at this stage.
Hypertension Stage 1
Stage 1 is when systolic blood pressure ranges from 130-139 mm Hg OR when diastolic blood pressure ranges from 80-89 mm Hg. At this stage, doctors may consider prescribing blood pressure-lowering medication in addition to lifestyle changes . The doctors decision to prescribe medication will depend on your risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease , such as heart attack or stroke.
Hypertension Stage 2
Stage 2 is when systolic blood pressure is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg OR when diastolic blood pressure is greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg. At this stage, doctors are likely to prescribe a combination of blood pressure-lowering medications with lifestyle changes.
Hypertensive Crisis
If your blood pressure is more than 180/120 mm Hg, and you are NOT experiencing any other symptoms, it is classified as an hypertensive urgency, and you should immediately seek medical assistance.
Can/should I Take A Sinus Decongestant For A Sinus Infection
You can take certain decongestants for a sinus infection. Decongestants that contain only pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine are more typically recommended for a sinus infection. Decongestants with additional ingredients like antihistamines may suppress your bodys immune response and interfere with your bodys ability to fight the infection. If you have a severe sinus infection, or if youre on antibiotics, consult with your doctor about the best OTC medication choice for you.
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When To See Your Doctor For Nasal Congestion
See your doctor for nasal congestion if your symptoms last more than ten days, dont respond to over the counter treatment and lifestyle changes, your nasal discharge is yellow or green, or if you experience a fever.
A fever is an indicator that your symptoms are a result of bacterial infection, which will require prescribed antibiotics.
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