Family Wellness Series: Cold and Flu Season Has Arrived

The beginning of the new school year marks the unofficial start of cold and flu season! Most of us will get sick with some sort of respiratory ailment and will seek comfort either in the aisles of the pharmacy or the doctor’s office. We reached out to AlbanyMed EmUrgent Care, a trusted healthcare provider locally to get some answers to some commonly asked questions about what over the counter (OTC) medications and treatments can be used for which symptoms. 

There is a huge variety of remedies and since each manufacturer uses its own combination of ingredients, knowing which is best for your illness can be very confusing. Here's what you need to know about commonly available types of medicines. 

Decongestants relieve congestion by shrinking swollen nasal tissue and blood vessels. They come in nasal spray, eye drop, liquid or pill form. Nasal spray and eye drop decongestants can be used for only a few days, since long‐term use can actually make symptoms worse. Pills and liquid decongestants may be taken longer safely. 

What Are the Side Effects? Decongestants may raise blood pressure, so they are not recommended for people who have blood pressure problems or glaucoma. They may also cause insomnia or irritability and restrict urinary flow. Some examples of decongestants include: Overthe counter: Claritin‐D®, Zyrtec‐D®, Sudafed® tablets or liquid,NeoSynephrine®, and Afrin® nasal sprays and Visine ® eye drops.

Antihistamines can be used for a variety of different reasons including colds, allergies, and itch. Their main benefit in treating colds is to help dry up mucus.

What Are the Side Effects? The most common side effect can be drowsiness. Examples of antihistamines include: Over‐the‐counter: Benadryl®, Claritin®, Chlor-Trimeton®, Dimetane®, Zyrtec®, and Tavist® Ocu‐Hist® is an OTC eye drop.

Cough Medicines OTC cough medicines generally try to alleviate cough by thinning mucus. Guaifenesin is the base ingredient in many other these products such as Robitussin®. In addition, there may be another ingredient added to calm the cough such as dextromethorphan. Cough medicine that has DM in its name generally contains dextromethorphan, which can be mildly sedating. If your cough is particularly disruptive, preventing you from getting any quality sleep, there are a number of prescription medications that can be helpful.

Fever Reducers There are two main medications that may be used to reduce fever. Ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) also reduces swelling and pain. Those with any stomach/ulcer problems should avoid ibuprofen as should those on any blood thinners. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) reduces fever and helps pain. While ibuprofen can cause stomach upset in some, acetaminophen usually has no side effects.

Saline Sprays A very effective way to alleviate nasal congestion when you have a cold or allergy is to wash out your nose with saline. This is very safe and can soothe irritated nasal membranes. OTC brand names such as Ayr®, Ocean and Simply Saline® are safe for all ages including infants.

How do I know what to take?

Remember, all of these products are aimed at helping you tolerate your miserable symptoms; they cure nothing and you are not required to take them to get better. In fact some people should not take OTC cold medications, specifically, children under the age of two and those people who have any problems with high blood pressure. Glaucoma and diabetes are other conditions that can be made worse by some OTC products. If you have any questions about the safety of OTC medications for you or your child, you should ask a healthcare professional. This entire aisle of the pharmacy can be confusing and overwhelming. When in doubt, ask before you buy. As a rule, the generic products usually available alongside of the national brands are just as effective and less expensive. If you have any questions about the safety of OTC medications for you or your child, you should ask a healthcare professional.

When Should I See My Doctor?

In general, upper respiratory infections last a week or two and will gradually fade away. You may want to be evaluated if your symptoms worsen over time. Persistent fevers and coughs, especially if more bothersome on one side of the chest than the other, should be seen in the office. As with many conditions, infants, the elderly and those with underlying health problems should be checked out by their healthcare provider.
 
My Throat Hurts

Sore throats are evaluated in doctors’ offices daily. For the most part, sore throats are caused by respiratory viruses and will go away without any prescription medications. “Strep throat” (Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus) however can cause complications with kidneys and heart valves if not treated appropriately. Rapid strep testing and throat cultures are reliable tools to look for strep and help determine if there is a need for antibiotics.

AlbanyMed EmUrgentCare
115 Saratoga Road Glenville| (518) 264-9000
Walk-in Medical Facility| Open 9am to 9pm
http://www.emurgentcare.com/

References: 

Allergy Medications. WebMD Web site. http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/ allergy‐medications. 

Antibiotics and Colds. WebMD Web site. http://www.webmd.com/cold‐and‐flu/cold guide/ antibiotics‐colds