medicines

THE COMMON COLD

by Gemita - 2019-12-10 05:28:48

Dear Grilor,

I do not believe a medication to shorten the misery of a cold really exists.  A cold has to run its course.  Taking medication, for me personally, has only suppressed my cold, which tends to make it last a lot longer.

The best remedy for me is to try to prevent it from occurring in the first place but when I get a cold the remedies are the same.  I keep my immune system strong by eating quality foods rich in vitamins and minerals, especially Zinc, Vit C, Vit D,  I try to get adequate rest and gentle daily exercise in the fresh air.  Also I try to keep hydrated with sips tepid water throughtout the day which will help to clear any congestion.

Some cold remedies (decongestants) can be dangerous for patients with heart problems and related conditions. They can seriously dry everything up and constrict blood vessels. They may push up blood pressure/heart rate and may adversely interact with our usual medication. Personally as an abnormal heart rhythm sufferer, I avoid all cold remedies since they tend to make my heart race and cause worsening symptoms

Depends a lot on your heart health

by crustyg - 2019-12-10 06:20:43

I echo Gemita's wise words.  There's a very old joke in medicine that a cold takes a week to get better if you take nothing, but only seven days if you take aspirin.  If you need something for muscle aches and pains then it's not a common cold, but some sort of para-influenza (the viruses that cause so-called 'man-flu') - of which there are several.

For me, the decongestants aren't an issue (SSS+brady+chrono-incompetence) - not that I use them very often, but for others any ephedrine/pseudo-ephedrine drugs might well be unwise.

Steam inhalations and lots of packs of tissues can help some people with the common cold, but the congestion and perhaps post-nasal drip isn't fun and probably won't be helped without a decongestant.

I used to chat to the guys at the MRC Common Cold Research Unit in Salisbury (before it was closed down): they told me that people who worked in zinc galvanising plant seemed to avoid colds completely, so perhaps there really is something real in zinc supplements.  For the rest of us, avoiding hand touching with other people who have colds, washing hands before touching the face (and *always* before preparing/cooking/eating food esp. sandwiches etc.) is probably the best way to avoid catching many colds.  And disposable tissues not pocket handerchiefs, and hand-washing after sneezing.  All the old fashioned stuff that our Mothers used to repeat at us.  Coughs and sneezes spread diseases...

OTC drugs

by AgentX86 - 2019-12-10 08:54:38

I'm told to stay far away from any cold drugs with a "-D" after it. They raise blood pressure and rate significantly and are, in general, bad for the heart.

Before I was diagnosed with any heart disease I took some. It was very bad.

Cold remedy.

by Graham M - 2019-12-10 15:27:10

A cup of hot water with a spoonful of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice does it every time. If you can take alcohol, then add a small shot of scotch.