Types Of Cough Medicine
Various medications can be used to treat cough and cold symptoms, but only a few of them can quickly treat the symptoms. Here are the main types:
- Cough suppressants block the cough reflex, making coughing less likely. Dextromethorphan is the most common active ingredient in cough suppressants. Cough suppressants should not be used if the cough is caused by smoking, emphysema, asthma, pneumonia, or chronic bronchitis. Antihistamines or decongestants can also dry the throat, making the mucus thicker and harder to move, resulting in a more severe cough.
- Expectorants loosen or thin the mucus in the chest, making it easier to cough it up. One popular example is guaifenesin. Drinking extra fluids can also help.
- Combination medicines contain a combination of expectorants, cough suppressants, and other active ingredients. They can include antihistamines, painkillers, and decongestants to treat multiple symptoms at once. To treat a cough from a common cold, a good choice is a cold medicine that contains both an antihistamine and a decongestant, as an antihistamine on its own may be ineffective.
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Life In A New Normal: How To Practice Self
COVID-19 symptoms can also mimic signs of the flu, which is especially concerning as flu season approaches and distinguishing between the two illnesses becomes vital.
While the flu barely made an appearance last year, thanks to COVID-19 precautions like mandatory masking and social distancing, doctors are anticipating a significant uptick in flu cases this fall and winter as people return to offices and classrooms.
The flu usually hits with a fever, muscle aches, and a feeling of being rundown, all of which can be present in COVID-19, Dr. Chida says.
If you begin to feel unwell and dont know why, the most important thing you can do in addition to staying home and isolating yourself is call your healthcare provider to describe your symptoms. Talking to your physician about your symptoms and whether to get tested is the best first step, says Chida.
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Other Effective Natural Remedies
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Over The Counter Medications
For help alleviating sinus pressure and pain, try ibuprofen and a decongestant. Some medications include a combination of pain reliever and decongestant.
Mild antihistamines like Claritin and Allegra are helpful in moderation. Strong antihistamines like Benadryl are often way too drying. Be careful not to take antihistamines too often.
Even though you want your nose to stop running, too many antihistamines can make it more likely that youll get sinus infections in the future.
Drugs like Mucinex and Flonase can also be helpful in thinning the mucus in your nose and sinuses.
If you use Afrin, make sure you stop after three days. Though it can seem like a miracle drug, using it more than three days in a row can lead to something called rebound congestion. In other words, when you stop using the Afrin after continuous use, your nose becomes more congested than it was in the first place!
Do These Things Work For Kids
Sinus infections make everyone miserable, children as well as adults!
Most of the tips above also work for kids, but antihistamines arent recommended for young children.
Young children cant blow their noses well, so helping them thin and clear the mucus from their nose is beneficial.
A nasal aspirator or a product like the Nose Frida can be a lifesaver in helping young children breathe through their nose.
A warm bath can help clear the sinuses and take a childs mind off their illness.
Kids are often fascinated by the condensation that forms on surfaces in a steamy room. To occupy them while a hot shower runs in the bathroom, try tracing pictures with them on the mirror!
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Goldenseal For The Gold
Goldenseal is yet another one of the head cold remedies. Everyday Roots describes that its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties are most likely contributed by its isoqinoline alkaloids . To master this home remedy, prepare two teaspoons of goldenseal and one cup of water. Boil the water and add the two teaspoons of goldenseal to make a tea, allowing it to steep for about fifteen minutes. You can add a bit of lemon or honey for some flavor, just make sure that you consume this goldenseal tea two to three times a day.
Getting Rid Of Head Congestion
Youve got a head cold, your sinuses are filled with mucus that is not draining, and you are suffering from severe stuffiness. Your main focus is on how to stop head congestion. So, are there head congestion remedies you can use to loosen its hold on your head? As it turns out, quite a few home remedies and medical treatments could help clean out your sinuses and get you back to breathing normally.
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Know When Its Time To Head To The Doctors Office
Although nasal congestion will generally subside on its own, congestion that lasts for more than 7 to 10 days calls for a visit to the doctor, says Stringer. A viral infection usually goes away on its own within a week or so, but an infection that lasts longer is often bacterial and may require an antibiotic, he says. If you experience other symptoms, such as a high fever, one-sided nose bleeds, wheezing or shortness of breath, or persistent facial or tooth pain, see a doctor right away.
Sinus Infection: Signs & Symptoms + 10 Natural Remedies
About 35 million Americans suffer from a sinus infection or sinusitis every year. Sinusitis is an inflammation, or swelling, of the tissue lining the sinuses that leads to an infection. It can result in mucus build-up and pain. If youve ever experienced a sinus infection, then you know just how unpleasant it can be much worse than a stuffy nose. While in most cases, a sinus infection will simply leave you running to find a decongestant, in the worst cases, it can lead to surgery to remove an abscess that has developed or the obstruction of the sinuses.
In the United States, sinusitis is the fifth most common medical diagnosis for which antibiotics are prescribed these days. The management of acute and chronic sinusitis is also costing this country over $11 billion every year. That doesnt even include the economic impact of lost work time due to illness.
While antibioticsfor sinus infection are a very common conventional treatment, the majority of sinus infections are actually the result of colds or viruses. They will get better as your nasal congestion improves.
Thankfully, there are a lot of natural ways to treat a sinus infection, including the foods you eat , saline nasal sprays, essential oils and supplements scientifically proven to be an effective sinus infection home remedy.
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Summer Cold: Simple And Effective Home Remedies To Ease Nasal Congestion
A cold during summer? Might sound strange, but it is more common than you think. This season, if you are suddenly suffering from running nose, dont panic. In all probabilities, it must be summer cold, and it is different from allergies.
Most people think that you can catch a cold only during winter. Not true as it can happen during the hot summer season too. Summer colds are mainly caused due to enteroviruses which trigger sore throat, runny nose and intestinal woes.
And in these days of COVID-19, even a small sneeze can trigger the anxiety but not all respiratory issues are related to the pandemic. Let us assure you that lung-related ailments during summer are quite different and easily treatable.
Read this article to get an insight about summer cold and effective home remedies to treat it.
Difference Between Summer Cold And Winter Cold
There is no big difference between a summer and winter cold, as both are caused due to viruses transmitted from an infected persons droplets or by contact when a person touches the hand to their nose, mouth or eyes. The biggest difference is the way in which we handle them. While in winter we naturally stay indoors in an effort to treat cold but during summers we tend to venture outdoors more, making us prone to the viral infection.
How To Identify Summer Cold And Allergy
Gargle With Salt Water
If youre dealing with a sore and scratchy throat, consider gargling with salt water. Dr. Blank says this old-school home remedy can help to temporarily relieve throat discomfort. Mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Take a drink, but do not swallow, and gargle in the back of your throat for 10 to 30 seconds. Spit it out when done.
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Bonus: Adding Cool Moisture May Help
Some experts believe cool-mist humidifiers may offer a bit of relief, but its probably not worth investing in a humidifier strictly because of a cold. The benefits of humidifiers are inconsistent at best, according to Dr. Fiorito. A systematic review of research published in 2017 shows that using humidifiers neither helps nor hurts people with the common cold. In theory, I suppose a humid environment could help the same way fluids do, by loosening secretions, Dr. Fiorito says. An important caveat to this is to remember to clean the humidifier appropriately to decrease any risks of infection or inhalation injury. If you happen to have one at home, clean it before use. If not, check out how to choose the best humidifier for your space. You can also opt to run a hot shower, close the door, and sit in the steam for 20 minutes.
- Theresa Fiorito, MD, an infectious disease specialist at NYU Winthrop Hospital on Long Island, New York
- Chemistry Central Journal: “Citrus fruits as a treasure trove of active natural metabolites that potentially provide benefits for human health”
- International Journal of Preventive Medicine: “Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ginger in Health and Physical Activity: Review of Current Evidence”
- Mayo Clinic: “Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?”
How To Relieve Sinus Pressure
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Sinus pressure
Many people experience sinus pressure from seasonal allergies or the common cold. Sinus pressure results from blocked nasal passages. When your sinuses cannot drain, you may experience inflammation and pain in your head, nose, and face.
Your sinuses are paired in two, and are found in four main areas of the face:
While some over-the-counter treatments can help reduce symptoms, there are also many effective natural remedies.
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What Is The Best Cold Medicine To Use
The best cold medicine to use will vary depending on the symptoms someone has. For example, someone who has a cold and cough may need to take a cough suppressant, whereas someone with a cold and stuffy nose might need to take a decongestant. Taking a decongestant when you dont have a stuffy nose probably isnt going to help you if youre searching for relief from a sore throat.
Finding the best cold medicine depends on which cold symptoms you want the most relief fromfind a medication that treats those symptoms. Some treatments even provide multi-symptom relief and would say so on the label.
If youre still unsure about which cold medicine to choose, you can always ask your healthcare provider, including your pharmacist, for advice. Its also a good idea to ask your doctor or pharmacist if taking cold medicine will interfere with your prescription medications, as drug-drug interactions can cause unwanted side effects.
Snot And Boogers Dont Usually Require Antibiotics
Adults get an average of two to four colds a year, mostly between September and May, and young children catch an average of six to eight colds a year, according to the American Lung Association. The body responds to the virus that causes a cold by making mucus and lots of it.
There are no antiviral medications for treating the common cold, and antibiotics are only useful if a cold leads to a secondary bacterial infection. In other words, don’t rush to antibiotics, says Satish Govindaraj, MD, an associate professor of otolaryngology at Mount Sinai in New York City.
Overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of new strains of bacteria that are resistant to these medications. So if you later develop a bacterial infection and really need them, antibiotics may not work for you.
Antihistamines can also make things worse before they get better. “They will make the mucus thicker and harder to drain,” Dr. Govindaraj says. Instead, he suggests that you try an over-the-counter expectorant like Mucinex , which breaks up and thins mucus in the chest and throat so that it is easier to cough up and expel.
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Home Remedies For Sinus Headaches
If you have suffered from regular sinus headache, you will probably know that your sinuses are the spaces surrounding your nasal passage which help mucus secretion and air humidification. Your sinuses can become inflamed for many reasons including respiratory conditions like the common cold or allergic reactions.
When his occurs, the sinuses are inflamed and not able to effectively drain mucus which leads to increases pressure and sinus headaches. Treatment depends on decreasing inflammation in the sinus passages which leads to improved mucus drainage and reduced pressure. Doctors often prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications but there are a number of more natural and safer home remedies that can be just as effective.
If you suffer from sinus headaches and you would like to give natural treatments a shot, then read on.
Natural Cold And Flu Remedies From Around The World
Drinking various forms of hot tea is one natural remedy used around the world to help soothe colds and coughs.
Its that time of the year when your child easily comes down with a runny nose, a cough, or a sore throat. Children everywhere get colds and coughs, and they dont always have access to a pharmacy or medical care. This becomes even more of a problem as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. Find out what people around the world do for natural remedies to colds, coughs, and the flu.*
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Popular Natural Remedies For The Common Cold
Michael Menna, DO, is a board-certified, active attending emergency medicine physician at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York.
The common cold is an infection of your nose and throat caused by viruses. We typically catch between two and four colds a year.
Symptoms of the common cold, which usually appear one to three days after being exposed to a cold virus include a runny nose, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes, mild headache, mild fatigue, body aches, and fever less than 102 degrees.
Herbal Remedies For Allergic Rhinitis
We get a lot of questions from patients inquiring about ideas of natural solutions for treating their allergy symptoms. We are devoting this blog to explaining two common types of allergies we most often see at our office in Arizona and share some natural herbal which may help.
Please keep in mind, that we are not giving medical advice in this blog. We cannot properly treat your unique condition or allergy without seeing you or conducting one of our comprehensive allergy tests. We suggest you talk to your doctor.
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Otc Cough And Cold Medicine
There are several over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for adults and children 12 and over. Dr. Blank says if your child is under 12, you should consult with your pediatrician on what to take. Additionally, if you have underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, heart disease, or anxiety, or youre on any prescription medication, she says to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any OTC medication. With that in mind, Blank says the following OTC cough and cold medicines can help relieve symptoms:
- Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine can help with nasal congestion.
- Mucus-thinning medications that contain guaifenesin can temporarily ease nasal and chest congestion and make it easier to clear secretions.
- Antihistamines like Claritin or Zyrtec can help runny nose and sneezing by drying nasal passages and secretions.
Some OTC cough and cold medicines are safe to take while pregnant. These include the decongestant Sudafed after the first trimester, the cough suppressant Robitussin , and the antihistamine Benadryl . Always consult with your healthcare provider before taking any OTC medication while pregnant.
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