Aaaah! Colds are annoying!
Dizziness, soreness, sore throat, sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, runny tears... What medicine to take can make the cold faster and better!
However, there are always people who say that colds do not need to take medicine, the reasons include "it is a three-point poison of medicine", "a small disease like a cold, it is good not to take medicine for a week, it is good to take medicine for seven days", "do not take medicine to carry it over, can increase immunity"...
Who is right?
Today, we will talk about the cold and medicine.
Image source: Stand Cool Helo
Cold, hard to carry do not take medicine, in the end is it good?
Many people who hold the view of "no need to take medicine" like to say that anti-cold drugs are actually "not curative of colds".
There is really nothing wrong with this sentence. Because colds are self-limiting diseases, in layman's terms, they can generally rely on their own immune systems to deal with them, and they can be good.
Common cold, if the symptoms are not very serious, the personal physical fitness is good, can ensure a healthy diet and adequate sleep, about 1 week can restore health, indeed can not take medicine [1].
But! This also does not mean that when you have a cold, you don't have to take medicine.
For example, the most common symptoms of colds such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, headache, etc., are not only uncomfortable, but also may affect sleep and affect work and study.
At this time, take some cold medicine, relieve symptoms, live and work well, why not?
Since most colds are caused by viruses, there are currently no specific antiviral drugs.
If the person with a cold has a chronic disease or poor immunity, and may also have secondary bacterial infections, then it is more necessary to take some drugs that can improve symptoms and prevent the further development of the disease. In case of a cold virus or bacteria prevailing, it may even lead to serious diseases such as pneumonia and myocarditis [1].
Therefore, if the cold is really uncomfortable, there is really no need to "carry hard", and you have to take medicine. At the same time, pay attention to rest, properly replenish water, and maintain indoor air circulation.
Anti-cold medicines can be taken, but not indiscriminately.
At present, the cold medicines on the market can be roughly divided into two categories: single-ingredient unilateral preparations, and compound preparations with multiple active ingredients. Among them, compound preparations account for the vast majority.
Before buying a medicine to treat a cold, it is recommended that you carefully study the composition and instructions of the medicine:
If you have a high fever in a cold and need to use antipyretic drugs, you can use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for antipyretic treatment. In cold medicines used at the same time, it is best to avoid containing these two ingredients.
If you have a runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, and mild fever, you can choose anti-cold medicines with acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine maleate.
If coughing or sputum is coughing, drugs containing both dextromethorphan and guaiacol glycerol can be selected [2].
(Before taking & choosing a medicine, it is best to read the product instructions carefully.)
Image source: a cold medicine product manual)
It should be reminded that some cold medicines may make people sleepy and drowsy after eating them. If you need to drive a car, or operate a precision instrument, you need to use it with caution and read the instructions carefully before eating.
Many people are accustomed to taking "anti-inflammatory drugs" when they have a cold, and these drugs are mainly antibacterial drugs such as amoxicillin and cephalosporin (also called antibiotics).
The common cold is usually caused by viruses, and antibacterial drugs are effective against bacteria and ineffective against viruses. Misuse of antimicrobials can not only delay the treatment of diseases, but also create bacterial resistance.
When bacteria become resistant, they may become resistant to the effects of one or more antibacterial drugs, causing drugs that would otherwise be effective to lose their efficacy.
If the cold is really uncomfortable, and you feel that you have not improved after taking cold medicine, it is recommended to go to the hospital for treatment. If it is really necessary to use antibacterial drugs, they should also be used under the guidance of a doctor, do not eat themselves.
Taking medicine for a cold also requires "from one to the end", do not take several medicines at a time.
Some people want to make the cold get better quickly, or feel that they have symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, headache, cough, etc., so they take a variety of drugs without authorization, and even increase the dose of medicines themselves.
This is really unnecessary, and it may instead eat yourself in the hospital.
Because there are many "cold treatment" drugs 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 the compound cold medicine can only choose one of them. Even some proprietary Chinese medicines are no exception.
Taking compound cold spirit granules as an example, in addition to containing a variety of traditional Chinese medicine ingredients, it also contains three kinds of Western medicine ingredients: acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine and caffeine.
If several combinations are eaten in a mixture, the dose of some of these ingredients may be increased, resulting in repeated or overdoses. In severe cases, it may cause acute liver and kidney damage, and it may really be life-threatening.
Even single-ingredient cold medicines are not recommended to mix them themselves, and it is best to take them under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
For some special groups of people, cold medicine is not something you can eat if you want to. These groups include:
Children: Combination formulations are not recommended for children under 2 years of age because safety has not been established, and children 2 to 4 years of age need to be used strictly as directed by a physician [3,4]. Use syrups or suspensions as much as possible.
Pregnant and lactating women should use cold medicine with caution. Because some ingredients of cold medicines 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 because of the cold is really uncomfortable, you can try to use the following methods to alleviate it (ordinary people can also refer to it):
Sore throat: Rinse mouth with warm, light salt water.
Cough: Drink more water, take some honey (note, not honey water, it is pure honey), about half a spoon each time (diabetics are not recommended).
Nasal congestion: Wash your nose with normal sea saline, or inhale some hot steam (just pour hot water in a clean washbasin or cup to fumigate) [1].
Finally, I would like to say that people who are not sages can not be cold. Regardless of whether you need medication or not if you have a cold, drink more hot water and get enough sleep to make the cold get better faster.
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bibliography
Lin Jiangtao. Expert consensus on the standardized diagnosis and treatment of common cold[J].Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine,2012(04):330-333.
Asthma Group, Respiratory Disease Branch of Chinese Medical Association. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cough (2009 Edition)[J]. Chinese Journal of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease, 2009, 19(022):1-7.
Zhao Deyu, Yang Qianyuan. Drug selection for cough therapy in children[J]. CJPP, 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 Dingzhu, Fu Zhou, Hong Jianguo, Li Changqi, Li Zengqing, Liu Chuanhe, Liu Enmei, Liu Hanmin, Nong Guangmin, Lu Quan, Lu Min, Lu Jirong, Mao Meng, Shen Kunling, Shang Yunxiao, Wang Libo, Wang Lei, Wan Liya, Yan Xiaoli, Yin Yong, Zhao Deyu, Zhao Shunying, Zhang Jianbai, Zheng Yuejie, Zou Yingxue, Zhou Zhongshu. Expert Consensus on the 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
Proofreading: Wu Yihe | Typesetting: Li Yongmin
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