Ahhhh! The cold is so annoying!
Dizziness, body aches, sore throat, sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, watery eyes… What medicine can I take to make my cold heal faster?
However, there are always people who say that you don’t need to take medicine for a cold. The reasons include “it’s a three-point poison”, “a small illness like a cold is good without taking medicine for a week, and taking medicine for seven days”, “do not take medicine” The medicine can increase immunity”…
Who is right?
Today, let’s talk about cold medicine.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
I have a cold, but I don’t take medicine, is it okay?
Many people who hold the point of view of “no need to take medicine” like to say: anti-cold medicine actually “doesn’t cure colds”.
There is nothing wrong with this sentence. Because a cold is a self-limiting disease, in layman’s terms, it can generally be dealt with by your own immune system, and you will be able to recover on your own.
Common cold, if the symptoms are not very serious, if you are in good physical condition, you can ensure a healthy diet and adequate sleep, you will be able to recover in about 1 week, you can really not take medicine
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But! This does not mean that when you have a cold, you don’t need to take medicine at all.
For example, the most common cold symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, and headache are not only uncomfortable, but may also affect sleep, work and study.
At this time, take some cold medicine to relieve symptoms, live and work well, why not?
Since most colds are caused by viruses, there is currently no effective antiviral drug.
If the person who catches a cold has a chronic disease or a weak immune system, and may also have a secondary bacterial infection, it is even more necessary to take some medicines that can improve the symptoms and prevent the further development of the disease. If the cold virus or bacteria prevail, it may even lead to serious diseases such as pneumonia and myocarditis [1].
So, if you have a really bad cold, you really don’t need to “carry it hard”, you have to take medicine. At the same time, pay attention to rest, properly replenish water, and maintain indoor air circulation.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
Anti-cold medicine can be taken, but not indiscriminately.
Current cold medicines on the market can be roughly divided into two categories: single-component preparations and compound preparations with multiple active ingredients. Among them, compound preparations accounted for the vast majority.
Before buying medicines for colds, it is recommended that you carefully study the ingredients and instructions of the medicines:
If you have a high fever with a cold and you need to use antipyretics, you can use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for antipyretic treatment. It is best to avoid containing these two ingredients in cold medicines that are used in combination.
If you have a runny nose, stuffy nose, headache, and mild fever, you can choose anti-cold medicines like acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine maleate.
If you have a cough and expectoration, you can choose a drug that contains both dextromethorphan and guaiacol [2].
(before taking medicine & choosing medicine, it is best to read the product manual carefully Image source: a cold medicine product manual)
Remind you that some cold medicines may make you sleepy and lethargic after taking them. If you need to drive or operate precision instruments, you need to use it with caution, and read the instructions carefully before eating.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
Many people are used toTake “anti-inflammatory drugs” when you have a cold. These drugs are mainly antibacterial drugs (also called antibiotics) such as amoxicillin and cephalosporin.
The common cold is usually caused by a virus, and antibacterial drugs work against bacteria but not viruses. The misuse of antibiotics may not only delay the treatment of the disease, but also cause bacterial resistance.
When bacteria develop resistance, they may become resistant to the action of one or more antibacterial drugs, making the originally effective drugs ineffective.
If you have a really bad cold and don’t feel better after taking cold medicine, it is recommended to go to the hospital. If it is really necessary to use antibacterial drugs, they should also be used under the guidance of a doctor, and do not take them casually.
Cold medicine also needs to be taken “from one to the end” instead of taking several medicines at one time.
Some people want to get better from their cold quickly, or feel that they have symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, headache, cough, etc., so they take a variety of medicines without authorization, and even increase the amount of medicine they take on their own. dose.
This is really unnecessary, and it may end up eating myself in the hospital instead.
Because there are many “cold” medicines on the market, there are many varieties and different names, but the ingredients are the same or similar, and the pharmacological effects are similar, so only one of the compound cold medicines can be selected. Even some proprietary Chinese medicines are no exception.
Take Fufang Ganmaoling Granules as an example, in addition to a variety of traditional Chinese medicine ingredients, it also contains 3 kinds of western medicine ingredients: acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, and caffeine.
If several combination medicines are taken together, it may increase the dose of some of the ingredients, leading to repeated use or overdose. In severe cases, it may cause acute liver and kidney damage, which may be life-threatening.
Even if it is a single-ingredient cold medicine, it is not recommended to mix it by yourself. It is best to take it under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
For some special groups of people, cold medicine is not always available. These groups include:
Children: Combination preparations are not recommended for children under 2 years of age, as safety has not been established; children 2 to 4 years old need to be strictly prescribed by a physician[3,4 ]. Use syrup or suspension as much as possible.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, should use caution with cold medicines. Because some components of cold medicine may affect fetal development, or affect the development of young children through milk.
If you belong to one of the above types of people, and you are really uncomfortable because of a cold, you can try the following methods to relieve it (ordinary people can also refer to):
Sore throat: Gargle with warm, salt water.
Cough: drink plenty of water, and take some honey (note, it is not honey water, it is pure honey), about half a spoon every time is enough (diabetic patients are not recommended to take it).
Nasal congestion: wash your nose with saline, or inhale some hot steam (pour hot water into a clean washbasin or cup for fumigation)[1].
Finally, I want to say that if people are not saints, how can they not catch a cold. Regardless of whether you need medication or not, drink plenty of hot water and get enough sleep to make your cold get better faster.
References
[1] Lin Jiangtao. Expert consensus on standardized diagnosis and treatment of common cold[J]. Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine, 2012(04):330-333.
[2] Asthma Group, Respiratory Branch of Chinese Medical Association. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cough (2009 edition)[J]. Chinese Journal of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Medicine, 2009, 19(022) :1-7.
[3] Zhao Deyu, Yang Qianyuan. Drug selection for children’s cough treatment [J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Pediatrics, 2016, v.31(03):183-185.
[4] Lu Quan, An Shuhua, Ai Tao, Bao Yixiao, Chen Dehui, Chen Huizhong, Chen Qiang, Chen Xing, Chen Zhimin, Cheng Huanji, Cui Zhenze, Deng Li, Dong Xiaoyan, Fang Ding Zhu, Fu Zhou, Hong Jianguo, Li Changxun, Li Zengqing, Liu Chuanhe, Liu Enmei, Liu HanF, Nong Guangmin, Lu Quan, Lu Min, Lu Jirong, Mao Meng, Shen Kunling, Shang Yunxiao, Wang Libo, Wang Lei, Wan Li Ya, Yan Xiaoli, Yin Yong, Zhao Deyu, Zhao Shunying, Zhang Jianbai, Zheng Yuejie, Zou Yingxue, Zhou Zhongshu. Expert consensus on standardized diagnosis and treatment of common cold in Chinese children (2013)[J].Chinese Journal of Practical Pediatrics,2013,28(09):680- 686.
Editors: Emgrand, Wu Jiaxiang, Zhang Jie
*The content of this article is for the popularization of health knowledge and cannot be used as a specific diagnosis and treatment suggestion, nor can it replace the face-to-face consultation of a licensed physician, and is for reference only.
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