How to Select a Cold Medication

The common cold is one of the most prevalent ailments facing the population each year. Try as you might, you are likely to suffer from at least two colds each year, and possibly more, depending on your age, exposure and general health. There is no way to cure the common cold, but it is possible to select a cold medication that can help reduce the severity of your symptoms as well as the duration of the sickness.

Things You'll Need

• Advice of a doctor (for severe colds)
• Cold medication

Instructions

Select Cold Medication

1. Take zinc lozenges to help deal with your cold. Zinc is known to help shorten the duration and severity of the common cold. They can taste very unpleasant (unless masked by flavorings) and sometimes cause nausea in patients, but there are no known long term side effects. However, the possibility of copper deficiency and anemia is being investigated.

2. Select nighttime medication when you are finding it difficult to sleep because of the discomfort. Medications such as Ny-Quil are great for helping you sleep soundly. Just be sure you don't need to drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of such medications.

3. Realize that echinacea is unlikely to help. Echinacea was once thought to have an effect on the immune system and, therefore, an effect on how our body responds to the common cold. Unfortunately, recent tests have revealed that echinacea has little to no effect on strengthening our immune system.

4. Choose from any of the over the counter cold medications. Since there is no cure for the common cold, it is a good idea to test different products during your cold to find out which have the most effect on your symptoms.

5. Use vapor rubs and steam to help deal with congestion. Steam and vapor rubs help to break up the mucous which collects in throats and noses.

Tips & Warnings

• Read the label of any cold medication you select carefully to ensure that it is a non-drowsy formula when you plan on using it during a normal workday. Some cold medication can cause marked drowsiness which can impair your ability to work or even drive.

• If the symptoms of your cold worsen, then you should definitely seek immediate medical attention as you may be facing more than just a common cold. Influenza and pneumonia are known to exhibit symptoms similar to a cold, but much more severe.

• Note that children should not take aspirin when they are suffering from the common cold as there is the risk of developing Reye's Syndrome.