Know this before taking cough and cold medicines! (Cough and Cold Medicines)

Oh my, it's like I've caught a cold again... My nose is stuffy, my throat is sore, I'm coughing non-stop... At times like these, we all run to the pharmacy, don't we? But when we see all the colorful boxes and different names of medicines there, we can't figure out what to buy. Has that happened to you too? What works for your friend may not work for you. So, this article will help you learn more about the medicines for coughs and colds and choose the right one for you.

Decongestant? Antihistamine? What works for you?

You've probably seen these two names on medicine boxes a lot. It's important to know the difference between the two. Simply put, it depends on the symptoms you're having.

• Decongestant: These are used when your nose is stuffy and your sinuses feel tight . They work by constricting the swollen blood vessels inside your nose, reducing congestion.
• Antihistamine: These are used to treat allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and itching .

But both of these medications can have minor side effects.

Do you have high blood pressure? Then think about this especially.

If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, using decongestant medications can be risky because ingredients like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can increase your blood pressure and heart rate.

What you need to know about nasal sprays

These types of sprays, which are used when you have a stuffy nose, provide quick relief. But there is also a dangerous side to this. That is the "rebound effect".

Simply put, if you use these `decongestant` nasal sprays for more than 3 days in a row , your nasal congestion may start to get worse instead of getting better. Your body will get used to the medicine, and when you stop taking it, your nose will get even more congested.

A better option is to use a saline spray. It helps to loosen the mucus inside the nose and help it drain. It doesn't cause that 'rebound effect'.

Different types of cough medicine

Cough medicines can be mainly divided into two types.

1. Cough Suppressants: These work by blocking the signal to the brain to cause a cough. These should only be used for dry, non-productive, and bothersome coughs .

2. Oral Expectorants: These work by thinning the thick mucus in the lungs and helping it to be expelled more easily. This type is suitable for a cough with mucus .

If you have a cough with mucus, taking a cough suppressant can cause the mucus to become trapped and increase the risk of infection. Therefore, it is important to choose the right medicine based on the nature of your cough. If you are unsure, consult your doctor.

What do you do for fever and body aches?

A fever is not actually an illness. It is a sign that our body's immune system is fighting germs. Therefore, if you have a low-grade fever, there is no need to reduce it.

But if you feel very uncomfortable due to the fever, or if your body aches, there is nothing wrong with taking a painkiller. Medications such as `Acetaminophen` (paracetamol) or `Ibuprofen` are the most commonly used.

Is it useless to take antibiotics for a cold?

This is a mistake that many people make. They take antibiotics as soon as they get a cold.

Remember! The common cold is caused by viruses . Antibiotics only work on bacterial infections. It's like putting gasoline in a diesel vehicle. Not only will it not have any effect, but taking antibiotics unnecessarily and frequently can also have adverse effects on the body.

Sometimes, a bacterial infection , such as a sinus infection, can develop right after a cold. Only if that happens will your doctor prescribe antibiotics.

As parents, we need to be very careful when giving medicine to young children!

This is the most important part of this article. Never give children medications that are prescribed for adults. Children's bodies react to medications differently than ours.

• Never give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines purchased from pharmacies to children under 4 years of age without a doctor's recommendation.
• Even though pharmacies have medications labeled "for children," be sure to talk to your doctor before giving them to your child.
• We would like to remind you again about the dangers of aspirin that we discussed earlier. Avoid giving aspirin to children.

When a child has a cold, the best thing to do is to see a doctor and get the right advice and the right medication.