How to Pick the Right Cold Medicine for Your Symptoms

It seems inevitable as soon as colder weather sets in. You will get a cold. Like most of us, you probably want to be prepared when it happens. Today, there are a myriad of cold medicines on the market. However, finding the right cold medicine for your symptoms can be both confusing and frustrating. The following steps are designed to help walk you through the process so that you can find the right cold medication for you so that you'll be symptom-free in fewer days!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. It is best to avoid a cold altogether by taking care of yourself. Washing your hands regularly, using antibacterial hand sanitizers and avoiding contact with those suffering from a cold or flu can make a big difference.

   Unfortunately that isn't always possible. Schools and the workplace are hot beds of all kinds of viral infections. Sometimes it just isn't possible to avoid all the places where colds and flu hides.

2. Understand that cold medications have one thing in common: zinc. Mostly provided in nasal sprays, lozenges or in effervescent tablet form, these medications have been proven to shorten the length of a cold almost in half. These new wonder drugs can shorten the virus from ten to fourteen days to as little as three or four days. These medications are designed to help inhibit the infection. There are dozens of different brands to choose from. They can be found in drug stores, discount department stores, and even certain grocery stores.
3. Understand that analgesics help to relieve aches and pains as well as reduce fever. These include things like acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen. They come in various forms including pills, powders, capsules, and other forms. A word of caution, however, aspirin should never be given to a child without the approval of a physician. Side effects of these drugs is varied, ranging from nausea and drowsiness to hyper activity and many other symptoms. It is important to never take more analgesics than directed by the specific product's instructions. If you experience problems with or unusual side effects, like blackouts, vomiting, or muscle weakness, contact a physician immediately.
4. Decongestants are meant to clear swollen or blocked nasal passages to allow air to pass through the nose easier. They act to narrow the blood vessels in the nose. They can be taken orally or inhaled via nose spray or drops. Side effects of decongestants can be hyperactivity, trouble sleeping, rapid pulse and/or heart beat or a rise in blood pressure. Be certain to never take doses larger than those suggested on the product's instructions. If these symptoms become difficult to deal with, you should contact a physician immediately.
5. Saline nasal sprays can also help to combat stuffiness without the rebound effect that is common with decongestants. They are generally safe for most people and even children where decongestants may not be. They also come in both spray and drop format. For the most part, these have few bad side effects.
6. Antihistamines counteract the effects of the histamine released by the body when it is experiencing an allergic reaction. It works to relieve itchy and/or runny noses. These can also help to reduce the amount of mucous produced in the nasal passages. Antihistamines come in pills, capsules, tablets, liquids, gels, sprays and other forms. Side effects of antihistamine may include drowsiness, which might actually be sedating for the young and elderly. Antihistamine should never be taken beyond the dosage recommended on the individual product. Any excessive or unusual side effects should be reported to a physician immediately.
7. Cough suppressants work to suppress the cough reflex in the throat and lungs to prevent the mucous and other irritations from triggering further coughing. However, it is important not to use these suppressants
8. Individuals with high blood pressure must take cold medications that decongestant free. At the moment one brand on the market provides cold medication for people with high blood pressure: Coricidin HBP. But which one is right for you? Coricidin HBP Cold and Flu contains antihistamines and analgesics for symptoms like aches and pains. It also reduces fever and provides relief from runny noses and sneezing. Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold Tablets contains antihistamine and cough suppressants to relieve symptoms like cough and sore throat. It also helps to relieve runny noses and sneezing. Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu contains antihistamine, pain and fever reducers, and cough suppressants to relieve the aches and pains of the common cold; suppress coughs, and stop runny noses and sneezing.

Tips & Warnings

• Be cautious about mixing various cold medications. Try to find the one medication that best meets the majority of your requirements. If you need to mix more than one medication, contact a physician before doing so.
• Be honest about your symptoms so that you don't medications that you do not need.
• If you are taking prescription medications, double check with your pharmacist that the cold medication you have chosen will not interfere or interact with your prescription medications.
• Be cautious of timing. Take medication as instructed; no sooner or later.
• If you have an existing medical condition or take other prescription medications, check with your physician before taking any over-the-counter medication.
• Never take dosages of any medication, including cold medication, outside of that which is recommended on the product label.
• Don't mix any medications with alcohol or recreational drugs.
• If your cold persists, contact a physician.
• This information is not a substitute for medical treatment and should always be used in concert with your physician's professional advice.