When you have a cold, that is, a cold, you automatically run to the pharmacy, right? You go and ask for a "good cold medicine." But how many of us know exactly what is in the medicine we take, whether it suits our body, and what its side effects are? The truth is, no medicine has been found anywhere in the world to "cure" the common cold. The medicines we take only control the discomfort caused by the disease, that is, the symptoms. By doing so, we give our bodies the rest they need to heal themselves.
Medicines to relieve nasal congestion and mucus (Decongestants)
One of the most annoying symptoms of a cold is a stuffy nose. You can't breathe or talk properly. The medicine we give for this is called 'decongestants'. Simply put, these medicines shrink the swollen blood vessels inside your nose. This creates space inside your nose, temporarily relieving the congestion and making it easier to breathe.
These come in two main forms:
1. Oral Decongestants
These are the most common types of pills and syrups we buy from pharmacies. One of the main chemicals in these is pseudoephedrine . Although this is very effective, it can be used to make some illegal things, so now, like in many countries, these are behind the counter in pharmacies in our country. You can only get them if you ask for them.
Another common chemical is phenylephrine . However, recent research has found that it is not very effective in relieving nasal congestion when taken as a pill. However, it is still effective when used as a nasal spray.
2. Nasal sprays or drops (Topical Decongestants)
These are sprayed directly into the nose, which helps relieve nasal congestion very quickly. But there is a very important caveat here.
Do not use these nasal sprays for more than 3 days at a time for any reason. If you continue to use them, your nose will become even more blocked than before when you stop using the medicine. This is called the "rebound effect". This means that you will have to continue to rely on the spray. When this condition becomes severe, it can lead to a condition called Rhinitis Medicamentosa .
Ways to relieve nasal congestion without medication
- Saline solution: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of lukewarm water and rinse your nose with it to loosen the mucus that has built up inside. You can also use a device like a Neti pot for this.
- Humidifiers/Steam: Rather than adding a Panadol tablet to water and inhaling steam, simply inhaling water vapor or maintaining humidity in the room will relieve nasal dryness and reduce congestion.
- Menthol-containing balms: When you apply a balm like Siddalepa or Paspanguwa to your chest or under your nose, you feel like your breathing is easier due to the cooling and scent.
For runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes (Antihistamines)
Antihistamines are actually a type of medicine given for allergies. These medicines control things like sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Since these symptoms also occur with a cold, taking these medicines can provide some relief for a day or two.
These types of medications can make you feel sleepy . For example, chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine can make you sleepy. That's why some "night-time" cold medications can make you sleepy. It's not a good idea to drive or operate machinery while taking them.
Let's learn about cough medicine.
Coughing isn't always a bad thing. It's a safe way to get rid of germs and mucus in your respiratory tract. But if your cough lasts for more than two weeks or comes with a fever, you should definitely see a doctor.
There are two main types of cough medicine. You should choose the medicine based on the type of cough you have.
| Type of cough | Type of medicine (most commonly used ingredient) | Functionality |
|---|---|---|
| Dry cough (Cough without phlegm) | Antitussives Ex: Dextromethorphan | Temporarily blocks the signal from the brain to cough. Stops coughing. |
| Wet Cough (Cough with phlegm) | Expectorants For example: Guaifenesin | It helps to loosen thick mucus in the throat and chest and make it easier to expel. |
Research has shown that drinking a little ginger and coriander tea, eating a teaspoon of honey, or simply sucking on a piece of candy cane can provide more relief from a cough than taking a lot of cough syrup.
Fever, body aches, and sore throat
Fever is also a good sign that our immune system is fighting germs. That's why doctors no longer recommend taking medicine for a mild fever. But if your body is really sore and you can't rest, there's nothing wrong with taking a painkiller.
Most commonly used:
- Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
- NSAID painkillers: Medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen.
However, NSAIDs are not suitable for everyone. People with the following medical conditions should avoid taking these medications. If you have any medical condition, be sure to consult your doctor before taking any painkillers.
| NSAID painkillers (e.g. Ibuprofen) are not suitable for these people. | |
|---|---|
| - Kidney disease | - History of heart disease or heart attack |
| - Stomach ulcers or gastritis | - High Blood Pressure |
| - Liver disease | - Diabetes (uncontrolled) |
| - Asthma disease | - Stroke history |
The best thing to do for a sore throat is to gargle with salt water. Although lozenges from pharmacies may provide temporary relief, do not continue to use them. You may have a bacterial infection (Strep Throat) that needs to be treated with antibiotics. Lozenges can mask the symptoms and make the illness worse.
"One pill for everything" - Be careful with combination medications!
Many cold pills on the market today (e.g. Panadin, Corex-D) are "combination" medications. This means that they contain several medications for fever, cough, nasal congestion, and runny nose - all in one pill. While this is easy to use, there is a big risk here.
The main risk is that of unknowingly taking too much of the same medicine (overdose). Imagine, you are taking a combination pill, which contains paracetamol. At the same time, you are also taking a separate paracetamol pill for fever. Then your body gets too much paracetamol. Taking too much paracetamol can cause serious liver damage. Therefore, it is very important to read the list of ingredients on the medicine box and check if you are taking the same medicine twice.
Pregnant and nursing mothers taking cold medicine
If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mother, do not take any medicine you think you need from the pharmacy for any reason. Always consult your doctor before taking any medicine, even for a minor cold.
Some decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine) and pain relievers can be harmful to your baby. Also, the medication you take can pass into your breast milk. Therefore, it is best to seek medical advice.
If you have these symptoms, definitely see a doctor.
Most colds will clear up on their own within 7-10 days with plenty of rest and fluids. But if you have any of the following symptoms, see a doctor right away:
- Symptoms persist for more than two weeks .
- If symptoms gradually increase or new symptoms appear.
- A high fever (over 100 F) or severe sore throat that lasts more than three days.
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain (in such cases, it is very important to go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital).
Take-Home Message
- There is no cure for the common cold. Medicines only control the symptoms and provide you with relief.
- Before you buy a medicine from the pharmacy, read the label and understand what ingredients it contains. If you don't understand, ask your doctor.
- When taking "combination" pills, avoid unintentionally taking too much medicine, such as paracetamol.
- If you have other medical conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease), are pregnant, or are a nursing mother, do not take any medication without medical advice.
- Get plenty of rest and drink warm liquids (such as soup, cilantro). It's often better than medicine.
- If symptoms are severe or persist for a long time, be sure to see a doctor.
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