5 Choices of effective cold medications to relieve symptoms

When you are not feeling well due to a cold, you may choose to take a day off to get better quickly. Moreover, sometimes drinking herbal cold-repellent solutions may not necessarily be able to quickly relieve symptoms. So, what kind of cold medicine should you take?

Does that catch a cold?

In the medical world there is actually no term catch a cold. Reporting from Kompas, an internal medicine expert at Pantai Indah Kapuk Hospital, dr. Mulia Sp.PD stated that the term catch a cold actually refers to a group of symptoms.

Usually someone is said to catch a cold if they experience conditions such as body aches, bloating, passing wind, nausea, coughing, flu, feeling cold, and fever.

Dr. Mulia stated that when a person begins to feel one or more of these symptoms, they are immediately claiming that they have a cold. The causes usually vary, but too much activity or driving at night is one of the most common causes of colds.

In Indonesia, kerokan is one of the most effective ways to get rid of colds. Even though scrapings are actually not recognized in the medical world. The reason is that there are different causes and symptoms of the cold medicine that you will take.

Cause colds

In general, colds are a collection of symptoms between ulcers (dyspepsia) and flu. Therefore, when someone has a cold it is usually due to a combination of these two factors. Here are the most common causes of colds:

Eat late

Late meals are usually one of the most common causes of colds. Why so? This is because the body has a circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is a work schedule for every organ including the digestive system.

When you are constantly eating late, your body's working hours will automatically be disrupted. As a result, you will experience a series of symptoms. Usually when you eat late, one of the symptoms you usually experience is stomach cramps.

Stomach cramps usually occur due to stomach disease. Therefore, if you leave the stomach empty for too long, it is not impossible that the stomach will be bloated and painful. These various complaints about digestion usually cause colds.

Drink too much caffeine, alcohol, or soda

Drinking too much caffeine, alcohol, and soda can cause ulcers. The reason is, the content of this drink, especially alcohol, can irritate and erode the lining of your stomach. As a result, the stomach becomes more susceptible to the effects of stomach acid. If left untreated, this condition can cause acute digestive problems.

Virus

Influenza virus or flu is one of the causes of colds. Usually the symptoms often appear suddenly. Even though you may have previously felt fine. Reporting from the American Lung Association, this virus usually infects the nose, throat and lungs. The virus usually spreads when this infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, near you.

Often go out at night

At night, the ambient temperature drops, making the air cooler. Well, in this cold air, the mucous membranes and hair in the nose usually become drier and decrease in function.

As a result, it is difficult for these nose hairs to filter viruses that enter the body, including the flu virus. This makes you prone to catching the flu.

Apart from the various things that have been mentioned, there are many other causes of colds that may strike.

Symptoms of a cold

Common colds are a collection of symptoms of ulcers and flu. That's why the signs you feel are usually a combination of the two conditions. Here are various symptoms that usually appear when a person has a cold:

• Have a sudden high fever
• Headaches, muscle pain, and joint pain
• Cough, usually a dry cough
• Cold or feverish
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion and runny nose
• Weak and limp body
• Hard to breathe
• Nausea
• Gag
• Diarrhea
• Bloated
• Upper abdominal pain
• Lack of appetite
• Feel full even though you haven't eaten much

Usually these symptoms can appear in adults or children. These cold symptoms generally resolve in about a week.

A powerful cold medicine that relieves the symptoms

Cold medicine is actually similar to common cold medicine, because the symptoms of the disease tend to be the same. Come on, open your medicine box and find the following cold medicine.

1. Paracetamol

Paracetamol or acetaminophen is a pain reliever medication that can help relieve colds. This drug is usually used to treat a variety of minor aches, fevers, and colds and flu. Paracetamol is a safe drug for:

• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding mothers
• Children over two months on the doctor's recommendation

However, don't just take paracetamol as a cold medicine. The reason is, you need to consult a doctor first if:

• Have liver or kidney problems
• Heavy drinkers
• Very thin
• Are currently taking other medicines
• Have experienced allergies due to paracetamol

Before taking paracetamol which is sold freely in the market, you should first read the packaging label. The reason is, the number of doses that need to be taken is adjusted to your age, body weight, and the type of paracetamol you are consuming.

This medicine may react negatively with other medicines that you are taking. Therefore, consult your doctor first before drinking it.

Paracetamol is a pain reliever drug that is safe to use in the right dose. However, in very rare cases this medicine can cause side effects such as:

• Allergic reactions such as rash and swelling.
• Red face, low blood pressure, and increased heart rate (usually present when given intravenously).
• Blood disorders, such as thrombocytopenia (low platelets) and leukopenia (low white blood cells).
• Liver and heart damage if taken too much.

You can take paracetamol which is widely sold in the market to treat colds. However, if after a week the symptoms do not improve, you should immediately consult a doctor.

2. Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is one of the painkillers that are also widely found on the market without a doctor's prescription. This drug is included in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are usually used to:

• Relieve mild to moderate pain such as toothaches, migraines, and menstrual pain
• Control fever, especially when someone has the flu
• Relieve pain and inflammation in the body
• Relieve pain and swelling

Compared to paracetamol, ibuprofen needs to be used more carefully. You should not take ibuprofen if:

• Have had hypersensitivity reactions to aspirin and other NSAIDs
• Just had heartburn
• Have severe heart failure
• Have severe liver disease
• Are taking low-dose aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease

In addition, you need to be careful before taking ibuprofen if you have:

• Asthma
• Kidney or liver problems
• Lupus
• Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• Bleeding in the stomach
• Have hypertension
• Have narrowing of the blood vessels (peripheral arteries)
• Have had a stroke
• Have heart problems

Ibuprofen can also be taken by pregnant women, nursing mothers, and babies as long as it is according to a doctor's prescription.

Just like other medicines, ibuprofen as a cold medicine can cause various common side effects such as:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Indigestion or upset stomach

3. Aspirin

Aspirin is a painkiller commonly used to treat headaches, toothaches, and pain due to menstruation. This medicine can also be used to help treat colds and other flu symptoms such as lowering fever.

Unlike ibuprofen and paracetamol, aspirin cannot be taken by children, especially those aged under 16 years. The reason is, many studies have shown a link between aspirin and Reye's syndrome. Reye's syndrome is a rare disease that can cause serious damage to the liver and brain.

We recommend that you consult your doctor first before taking aspirin. Especially if you have conditions such as:

• Allergy to painkillers
• Have had an ulcer
• Just had a stroke
• Have high blood pressure or hypertension
• Have asthma or lung disease
• Have had blood clotting problems
• Have liver or kidney problems
• Have gout
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

As a medicine, aspirin can cause various side effects such as indigestion and easy bleeding. This is because aspirin is blood thinning, making it easier for you to bleed sometimes when injured.

4. Decongestants

Decongestants can help relieve nasal congestion when you catch a cold. The content in decongestants can shrink blood vessels and swollen tissues in the nose. As a result, you can breathe easier.

Decongestants come in a variety of forms, from pills, nasal sprays and drops such as:

• Oxymetazoline nasal
• Phenylephrine nasal
• Oral phenylephine

Over-the-counter decongestants are generally relatively safe. But remember, this drug can only be used for adults and can only be used for a maximum of five days. Decongestants are not for long term use.

In addition, you also need to consult your doctor first before taking decongestants if you have conditions such as:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Children under six years
• Are currently taking other medicines
• Have high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Have an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
• Have liver, kidney and heart problems
• Have glaucoma

Decongestants usually have mild or no side effects in some people. As for some of the side effects that are commonly felt, namely:

• Sleepy
• Irritation of the nasal membranes
• Headache
• Dry mouth

5. Antihistamine drugs

Antihistamines work to help block the release of histamine, a natural substance that causes an allergic reaction when you are exposed to an allergen. Histamine is also what triggers flu symptoms when colds, such as sneezing, coughing, and runny nose.

Over-the-counter antihistamines generally contain relatively safe active ingredients, including:

• Brompheniramine (Dimetane)
• Chlorpheniramine (Allerest, Sudafed Plus)
• Clemastine (Tavist)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Doxylamine (Aldex AN)

Be careful, drugs that contain antihistamines usually cause drowsiness. That is why cold medicines that contain antihistamines are better consumed at night before bed.

Apart from drowsiness, some of the side effects that may arise after taking antihistamine drugs include dry mouth and blurred vision.

Natural cold medicine

Apart from medical drugs, you can also treat colds in various natural ways, such as:

Get plenty of rest

Try to get enough rest and not be too active when you catch a cold. Save your energy and give the body a chance to fight the viral infection in it.

By resting, the body will be helped to restore its condition. Usually various cold medicines that doctors give or bought in the market make you drowsy. This is so that you can rest more comfortably.

Drink lots of fluids

Water and juice can be a source of fluids that you can try when you have a cold. The reason is that sufficient fluids make the body well hydrated. When the body has enough fluids, the body can perform its functions properly, including restoring the strength of your immune system.

In addition, warm foods and drinks, such as chicken soup or warm lemon water, are highly recommended natural cold remedies. In addition to providing the nutrients your body needs, warm fluids help relieve breathing and airway obstruction.

Eat a nutritionally balanced diet

A balanced nutritious diet is needed to restore the condition. Therefore, when you catch a cold, don't be lazy to eat healthy and nutritious food. Even if your mouth tastes bitter or tasteless, still force yourself to eat.

Make sure that the foods you eat meet the needs of minerals and vitamins, especially C and E to help fight infection. Don't forget to eat regularly so that the stomach doesn't empty for too long. Have a snack if your busy life keeps you from having a big meal.

Keep room temperature warm

When you catch a cold the body definitely feels bad. You must feel awry because even sleeping feels uncomfortable. Try to keep the room warm and not too cold.

If the air is dry, you can use a humidifier to help humidify the air. When the air in the room is damp, you can feel more relieved to have a blocked nose. In addition, a humidifier also helps reduce the intensity of coughs when you catch a cold.

Using saline nose drops

Saline nose drops can help relieve nasal congestion when you catch a cold. You can buy these drops at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. These nose drops will help relieve cold symptoms especially those caused by flu.