Know these things before taking medicine for the cold (Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines for Cold & Flu)

With the weather these days, many of us are getting sick with colds, coughs, and flu. So, what we often do is go to a pharmacy and ask for "some medicine for the cold." But did you know that not every medicine you take will work for you? In fact, these medicines only control the symptoms, not the virus that caused the disease. But when the symptoms subside, we feel better. But if you take the wrong medicine, the situation can get worse. So, today, let's talk about how to choose the right medicine for your symptoms.

Decongestant? Antihistamine? What works for me?

This is the biggest problem that many people have. If you know the exact difference between the two, it will be very easy to choose the right medicine for you.

Simply put:

• Decongestants are used when your nose is stuffy and your sinuses feel tight . They work by constricting the blood vessels in your nose, reducing congestion and making it easier to breathe.
• Antihistamines are used if you have a runny nose, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, or itching .

But both of these medications can have minor side effects.

Is it good to use this medicine for someone with high blood pressure?

This is a very important question. Decongestant medications, such as pseudoephedrine, can increase our blood pressure and heart rate . This can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

If your blood pressure is well controlled with medication, you may be able to take these for a short period of time, as long as your doctor checks your blood pressure regularly. But don't make this decision on your own. These may interact with your blood pressure medication.

What about nasal spray?

Decongestant nasal sprays can help relieve nasal congestion very quickly. That's true. But there's a catch. If you use this spray for more than 3 days , your nose will start to get even more congested when you stop using it. This is called 'Rebound Congestion'.

The best and safest solution is to use a saline spray , which is a salt water spray. Although it doesn't provide instant relief, it doesn't have those side effects.

Shall we also learn about cough medicine?

An occasional cough is a way to clear out unwanted substances like mucus from the lungs. That's good for the body. But a persistent cough requires treatment.

There are thousands of cough medicines available in pharmacies. These can contain a variety of ingredients, including cough suppressants, expectorants, decongestants, antihistamines, and painkillers. This can lead to you taking medications that you don't really need.

Therefore, it is wise to ask your doctor what the best medicine for your cough is.

What do you do for fever and body aches?

A fever is actually a good thing. When you have a fever, your immune system activates, increasing your body temperature and killing viruses and bacteria.

That's why doctors no longer recommend bringing down a fever as soon as it starts. But it's important to treat a fever in very young children, the elderly, and those with other medical conditions, such as heart disease or lung disease . Also, if you're feeling very uncomfortable with your fever, there's nothing wrong with taking a fever-reducing medicine.

• Warning: Aspirin should be avoided in young people, including those in their 20s.
• Acetaminophen (e.g., Paracetamol) and Ibuprofen are the most suitable. However, each of these medications carries some risks. So talk to your doctor about which is best for you.

What to do for a sore throat?

The best thing to do for a sore throat is to drink plenty of fluids and gargle with warm salt water. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and gargle with that water.

Also, medicated lozenges and medications like `Acetaminophen` can provide temporary relief. But do not use these throat lozenges for more than a few days. Because, you may have a bacterial infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics. We call it `(Strep Throat)`. These pills can suppress the symptoms of the infection and delay proper treatment.