5 types of cold remedies to alleviate symptoms

A cold can cause unpleasant symptoms such as a blocked nose, a cough and a sore throat. Although there is no cold for colds, various over -the -counter medications (OTC) and home remedies can help reduce your symptoms when recovering.

Jump at the main dishes to remember.

1. Huch medication

The most common over -the -counter cough medications include:

• ExpectorantsLike Guaifénesin, are commonly used for a damp or productive cough and operate in slimming mucus and facilitating cough. Guaifennesin is found in over -the -counter medications such as Robutinssin or Mucinex.
• Cough suppressors such as dextromethorphaneare used to delete a cough. You will often see them combined with Guaifénesin in products such as Robitinssin-DM or Mucinex-DM, where DM means dextromethorphan.

2. Pain and fever drugs

Pain and fever medications are distributed in two categories:

• Analgesic like tylenol (acetaminophen) can help fever and light pain.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Can help fever and pain, as well as inflammation (swelling). Examples of NSAIDs include Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (Naproxene).

3. Antihistamines

Antihistamines are commonly used for a flowing nose, aqueous eyes and sneezing.

Older antihistamines like Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) work well but are known to cause more side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness.

More recent antihistamines are often preferred because they are effective but tend to cause less drowsiness. Examples of these new antihistamines include:

• GAI (fexofenadine)
• Claritin (Loratadine)
• Xyzal (Levocotirizine)
• Zyrtec (Cetirizine)

4. Décongrangements

Decongestants can help with a blocked nose and include:

• Oral decongestantssuch as pseudoephedrinewhich is generally behind the counter. You will need identification to buy it. Another oral decongestant, phenylephrine, is found over -the -counter, but the FDA proposed its withdrawal after finding that it is not effective.
• Decongestant nasal sprayslike Afrin (oxymmetazoline), come in the forms of pulverized nasal sprays in the nostrils. Although they can help relieve a blocked nose, they can only be used for a maximum of three days. After that, they can actually worsen congestion (this is called the congestion of the rebound).

5. Nasal spraying saline

Saline nasal spraying contain purified salt water and can help keep nasal passages humid. Some people prefer other methods, such as Neti pots or nasal rinsing, to rinse nasal passages with a nasal saline solution.

6. Chérie

Honey can help cough and soothe sore throat, but should never be used in children under 12 months old.

7. Drops or passes

Toux drops or pastilles can be an effective way to calm dynamic throat and cough. They are formulated with ingredients like menthol, which aims to reduce the irritation of the throat and relieve the cough reflex.

8. humidifier

A humidifier adds humidity to the air, helping to relieve a blocked nose and to break the mucus. Cool-singing humidifiers are particularly recommended for children on vaporizers, who boil water and can cause burns.

9. Hydration

Stay hydrated by drinking liquids. Foods and drinks such as chicken soup, tea and icy lollipops can soothe an irritated throat. You can also try to gargiate with salt water (mix a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, gargarize and spit).

10. Rest

By recovering from an illness, stay at home and rest a lot of rest, if possible. Try to sleep eight to ten hours a night while you get.

Tips for choosing the right cold remedy

Profit in the cough and the cold alley of your pharmacy can be overwhelming. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a remedy:

• Simple products vs combination: Combined products may seem practical, but contain several active ingredients. Experts often recommend mono-merredist products to target the specific symptoms you experience and reduce the risk of side effects or drug interactions.
• Consider age: Over -the -counter and cold cough medications are not recommended for babies and younger children under the age of 4. They should only be used in children aged 4 to 6 if they are recommended by their pediatrician. After 6 years, the cough drugs of over -the -counter children are generally safe to use, as long as the health care provider gives the green light. Antihistamines, like Benadryl, should not be given to children under 2 years of age.
• Check the ingredients of the label: Read the list of ingredients when purchasing an over -the -counter cough and a cold product. Many drugs have similar brand names, and the only way to be sure of the ingredients is to read the label carefully. Ask your pharmacist to help understand the ingredients and what they do.
• Consult a health care provider: Always check with your supplier before using a cough or a cold product for the first time, especially if you have other health problems or take medication.

When to see a health care provider

Sometimes it can be easy to confuse the symptoms of colds with another condition, such as allergies, flu or bacterial infection, such as streptococcal angina. It is best to check with a health care provider if you have one of the following elements:

• Pain during swallowing
• Ear pain
• A cough that lasts several weeks
• Vomiting
• Fever that will not go down or leave
• Symptoms aggravate or last more than 10 days

Main to remember

• Although there is no cold remedy, over -the -counter medicines such as expectorants, coughing, pain relievers and antihistamines can help reduce symptoms during recovery.
• Unique over-the-counter products are often safer and more effective than multi-ingredient remedies, especially when adapted to your specific symptoms.
• Staying hydrated, using saline sprays or humidifiers, and resting a lot can support healing and make symptoms of colds more manageable without medication.