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Show ; Treating A Cold Is Important over-the-counter coid medications medi-cations interact with other drugs and can. cause more serious medical problems. Also make: sure that the drugs you purchase and use have not been tampered with. Inspect the package or bottle for any signs of tampering and return any suspect ones to your pharmacist. pharm-acist. There are two common SL types of cold medications; one includes ingredients that will act on a specific problem, while the other will work on every cold symptom from A to Z. To help decide which medicine is right for you, first ask yourself some basic questions, like: "Do I have a single complaint or are there a variety of symptons?" "Is there any skin rash or irritation?" "What type of cough is it --' 'loose' or 'tight?" If you aren't sure, consult your doctor. If you are reasonably certain you know the answers, ask your pharmacist for the best medication available over the counter. Here are a few hints on how various medications work: Com. To S HARTFORD, Conn.,- How do you treat a cold? Bundle up next to a roaring fire? Sweat it out by running several miles? Immerse yourself in a tub of homemade home-made chicken soup? Or, do you run out to your local pharmacy and buy all the cold remedies you can find, hoping that one will provide relief? If you do the latter, you're not alone. In fact, you contribute to a half-billion-dollar-a-year industry... and that figure doesn't include what is spent on aspirin. A cold is caused by one or more of 120 different viruses and affects your body in many different ways. Viruses are usually short-lived and resist virtually all forms of medication. Most colds run their course in about a week, with or without cold medication including antibiotics. To treat a cold, doctors suggest the following: get plenty of sleep drink more fluids than normal eat well-balanced, light meals avoid stress Using cold remedies sold over the counter may provide temporary relief, which is important, but they won't "cure" or even shorten the stay of your unwelcome visitor, physicians say. If you want temporary relief, Aetna Life & Casualty's Casual-ty's staff physicians ancl pharmacists believe you should sh-ould be aware of a few things before you purchase cold remedies. Above all else, remember to read the labels carefully and completely. Even Treating A Cold h Important Conu From 5 Antihistamines help stop a runny nose. When used . in spray form, the drug contra cts blood vessels which in turn constricts the dripping. Oral antihistamines (tablet and liquid) act the same way. However, they can also restrict blood vessels in other areas of the body. People with high blood pressure, hyperthyroid conditions, diabetes, dia-betes, glaucoma oi other eye diseases, should consult a physician before taking any cold medications, especially antihistamines. They may also cause drowsiness, and or blurred vision. Decongestants, which are found in a variety of cold medications, act differently than antihistamines -- they reduce the stuffed-up feeling that may accompany a cold. They are often mixed with other cold remedies instead of being marketed as a separate product. Coughing is an annoying aspect of a cold. However, it does serve a function. Coughing is a natural defensive defen-sive reaction against fluid buildup in the lungs. Therefore, trying to stop a cough is not advised. There are a variety of cough medications on the market designed to do different things for different types of cough... expectorants induce coughing, while antitussive syrups restrain them. Before purchasing a cough remedy, ask your pharmacist which is best for your type of problem. Last, and certainly not least, is aspirin. Americans take more than 20 billion aspirin tablets a year -- a daily consumption rate of more than 20 tons. Although aspirin is the most commonly used drug, it can be harmful unless label directions are followed. Because of its wide use, aspirin leads over-the-counter medications medicat-ions as a cause of adverse reactions leading to hospitalization hospital-ization or other problems such as gastric irritation. Aspirin is mainly used to reduce the aches and pains that can accompany a cold. It is an anti-inflammatory drug. Thus, it reduces swelling in the joint tissues of the body. Aspirin effectively combats fever as well. However, like a cough, a fever can be an important body reaction to your cold. It is important to treat the cause of the fever, not just the rise in body temperature alone. If a fever persists more than three days while taking aspirin, consult your physician. Aspirin substitutes, know as acetaminophen also work to rsd ice fever, but they do not contain the anti-inflammatory ingredient found in aspirin. The lack of this ingredient makes the substitute substi-tute less irritating to the stomach lining. In some instances of a cold accompanied accom-panied with an upset stomach, stom-ach, the acetaminophes may be preferred. Regardless of which you choose, doctors strongly recommend taking only the recommended dosage dos-age -- two tablets every four hours if you're over 12 years old. To repeat sleep, get plenty of fluids, eat a balanced diet and avoid stress they are your best bet in the battle against the common cold. If your symptoms sympt-oms last longer than seven days, consult your physician right away. Always remember remem-ber to read prescription drug and cold remedy labels carefully. " When used wisely, over-the-counter cold medications and aspirin can provide welcome temporary relief from your cold. |
