Is It Safe To Take A Decongestant If I Have High Blood Pressure
This type of medicine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Pseudoephedrine is the main decongestant taken by mouth that’s available. In general, if your blood pressure is well controlled with medications, then a decongestant shouldn’t be a problem as long as you closely watch your BP. This may not be true with certain types of blood pressure drugs, so check with your doctor or pharmacist about what may be best for you.
What Happens If I Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of acetaminophen can be fatal.
The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
The Best Medicine For Runny Nose Sneezing And Itchy Watery Eyes:
Antihistamines, as noted above, are often found in combination cold and flu medication because they help treat sniffling, sneezing, itchy, and watery eyes and are the best meds for drying up a runny nose. Options include doxylamine , brompheniramine , and diphenhydramine . Some antihistamines also help you sleep through the night because they can cause drowsiness.
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Best Nighttime Allergy Medicine: Benadryl Allergy Ultra Tabs
Type: Antihistamine
Active ingredient: Diphenhydramine
Dose frequency: Every 4â6 hours
Trying to get some shut-eye without waking up to a scratchy throat in the dead of night? Thereâs a solid chance that Benadryl can help. This household name is known not only for its allergy relief propertiesâcourtesy of diphenhydramine, an antihistamineâbut for causing marked drowsiness, which can be helpful if your allergy symptoms tend to keep you up at night.
Shop this and other Benadryl products:
- Active ingredient: Naphazoline, pheniramine maleate
- Dose frequency: Up to four times a day
Formerly known as VISINE-A, these antihistamine eye drops relieve both redness and irritation caused by allergies. Thatâs a more comprehensive package than youâll get with a lot of eye drops, since they often focus more on lubrication and redness relief than tackling allergic reactions directly.
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What Should I Take For Fever And Aches
A fever can be a good thing. It kick-starts your immune system and helps your body fight off an infection by torching bacteria and viruses.
Doctors no longer suggest you try to lower it, except for people who are very young or old, and those with certain medical conditions such as heart disease or lung disease. If you’re uncomfortable, though, it’s fine to take a fever-reducer medication.
Young people, including those in their early 20s, should avoid aspirin. Medicines with acetaminophen and ibuprofen are best. Each type has its own set of risks, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which is best for you.
Be careful not to overdose. These drugs are often mixed in with cough and cold and flu remedies. Read the labels, and don’t take a separate pain remedy if your cough or cold medicine includes one. If youâre not sure whatâs in it, talk to your pharmacist before you take it.
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Good Sense Severe Nighttime Cold And Flu
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Viruses Are The Culprits Behind Both Of These Illnesses
There are more than 200 viruses that can cause cold-like symptoms, says Campbell-Scherer. In contrast, there are just two influenza viruses, A and B, but they continually mutate, requiring the flu vaccine to be updated each year in order to protect against the latest strains.
You can contract cold or flu viruses by inhaling droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by coming in contact with the other persons hands or a shared object or surface, and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Once the virus enters your body, it will zero in on the upper respiratory tract , although influenza can also affect the lungs. Cold viruses are infectious up to two days before symptoms appear and remain infectious until theyre gone. However, influenza is infectious one day before it appears and remains so for up to six days after symptoms develop.
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How To Choose The Most Popular Best Cold And Flu Medicines
The three most crucial criteria to consider are price, quality, and popularity.Price is an obvious factor to consider, as you want to ensure it is acceptable for your needs.Quality should also be examined because buying a low-quality goods will not help you achieve your main aim of obtaining the best product.Finally, while not as obvious as price or quality, popularity can be just as significant as both when it comes to attracting new customers.
Best Cold Medicine For Sore Throat And Coughing
If your coughing is making your throat sore, look for a medication that contains dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan helps control your brains signal to your body that you need to cough. This can decrease your coughing symptoms enough to promote healing of a sore throat, but it doesnt treat the cause of your coughing.
Some medications that contain dextromethorphan also contain an ingredient called guaifenesin. This ingredient thins out mucus and helps your cough to be productive, meaning that youre coughing out thick congestion that could be aggravating your throat and chest.
Toddlers and infants have different safety concerns when it comes to choosing a medication. Generally, you should consult with your childs pediatrician before giving them any cold medication.
Your childs weight, development, age, and symptom severity help to determine the medication and dosage.
If your child is younger than 6 months, stick to acetaminophen for pain relief. Congestion, coughing, sore throat, and other symptoms can be dealt with using home remedies. Overuse of cough and cold medicine in children can have serious side effects.
Child-safe OTC versions of ibuprofen, antihistamines, and cough suppressants are available for children age 2 and older. Toddlers older than 1 year can also use pasteurized honey as a cough suppressant.
Decongestants can be dangerous for people who have high blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic recommends you avoid the following active ingredients:
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What’s The Deal With Cough Medicine
An occasional cough clears the gunk from your lungs. But one that goes on and on needs treatment.
On the shelf you’ll find tons of cough medicines with a zillion combinations of decongestants, antihistamines, analgesics/antipyretics, cough suppressants, and expectorants. Ask your pharmacist which, if any, would be right for you.
Can Colds And The Flu Be Cured With Medications
No medicines can âcureâ colds and flu. However, there are many over-the-counter medicines that can ease the discomfort caused by the symptoms of colds and flu. In addition, there are prescription medicines and a vaccine that can treat and prevent the flu.
Note on antibiotics: Colds and the flu are causes by viruses and cannot be cured with antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, such as strep throat and ear, skin and urinary tract infections. Using antibiotics for infections they are not able to treat makes the antibiotics less effective for infections they are supposed to treat . Never take antibiotics to treat colds and flu.
To ease the discomfort from specific cold and flu symptoms, consider using the following types of OTC medicines:
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To Relieve A Sore Throat Fever Headache Or Muscle Aches
Examples: Motrin Tablets Advil Caplets Aspirin Original Strength Tylenol Regular Strength Tablets
How they work: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which include ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid , work by preventing the formation of prostaglandins, the chemicals in the body that promote pain, inflammation, and fever. Acetaminophen, found in Tylenol, behaves slightly differently it targets the part of the brain that perceives pain and controls body temperature. Both types are equally effective, says Kalyn, so its just a matter of balancing the benefits versus the risks.
NSAIDs will reduce symptoms for six to eight hours compared to four to six for acetaminophen, so NSAIDs can be more beneficial if you need help sleeping through the night.
Need to know: Follow package directions for dosing. The most common adverse effect with NSAIDs is stomach discomfort, so take them with food, says Kalyn. Avoid NSAIDs if you have high blood pressure, a heart, liver or kidney condition, or stomach issues such as heartburn. NSAIDs can increase the risk of ulcers, internal bleeding and damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys. Aspirin should not be taken by those on blood thinners and has been linked to Reyes syndrome, so it should not be given to people age 18 and under. Avoid Tylenol if you have liver or kidney disease.
Try: Motrin Liquid Gels, $20, well.ca
Ibuprofen: Cures Cold Fever Body Pain And Flu
- Brand name Advil
- CompositionIbuprofen
- Popularity level 9
- This medicine is used to reduce fever and to relieve minor aches and pain due to the common cold or flu. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug . It works by blocking your bodys production of certain natural substances that cause inflammation. This effect helps to decrease swelling, pain, or fever.
- Dosage Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor or the package label, usually every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Chew thoroughly and then swallow this medication. If you have stomach upset while taking this medication, take it with food, milk, or an antacid.
- The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
- Price The cost for Advil oral tablet 200 mg is around $12 for a supply of 24 tablets.
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How Do You Buy The Best Nighttime Cold Medicine For Adults
Do you get stressed out thinking about shopping for a great nighttime cold medicine for adults? Do doubts keep creeping into your mind?
We understand, because weve already gone through the whole process of researching nighttime cold medicine for adults, which is why we have assembled a comprehensive list of the greatest nighttime cold medicine for adults available in the current market. Weve also come up with a list of questions that you probably have yourself.
John Harvards has done the best we can with our thoughts and recommendations, but its still crucial that you do thorough research on your own for nighttime cold medicine for adults that you consider buying. Your questions might include the following:
- Is it worth buying an nighttime cold medicine for adults?
- What benefits are there with buying an nighttime cold medicine for adults?
- What factors deserve consideration when shopping for an effective nighttime cold medicine for adults?
- Why is it crucial to invest in any nighttime cold medicine for adults, much less the best one?
- Which nighttime cold medicine for adults are good in the current market?
- Where can you find information like this about nighttime cold medicine for adults?
Were convinced that you likely have far more questions than just these regarding nighttime cold medicine for adults, and the only real way to satisfy your need for knowledge is to get information from as many reputable online sources as you possibly can.
The Best Medicine For Colds: Sleep
YOU MAY THINK that with winter drawing to a close, the cold season is over, but unfortunately, the sniffles are nearly as common in spring. Cold symptoms, like a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and coughing, leave you feeling drained and make you want to curl up and hibernate.
Weve got some tips on how to beat a cold so you can get out and enjoy the balmy weather, plus what to do while youre waiting to feel better.
How to Get Rid of a Cold
Often, the only way to get rid of a cold is to wait it out. The common cold is caused by a viral infection, and while there are more than 400 viruses that can cause cold symptoms, the most common type is rhinovirus. Viruses dont respond to antibiotics, so there really isnt a drug that can get rid of colds. However, there are things you can do to minimize the effects and shorten the duration of a cold so you can get back on your feet.
The best medicine to get rid of a cold is not a drug, but rather sleep. Not getting enough sleep weakens your immune system, leaving you more susceptible to illness and making it harder to fight it off when you do get sick. The average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep per night to function at their best. Here are some other ways to take good care of your immune system so it can take good care of you:
- Stay hydrated
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Avoid smoking cigarettes
- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation
- Reduce stressors and find healthy ways to deal with stress
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Risk Factors For The Common Cold
Certain conditions increase your risk for catching a cold. These include:
Time of year: Colds can occur any time of year, but theyre more common in the fall and winter.
Age: Children under age 6 are more likely to develop colds. Their risk is even higher if they are in day care or a child care setting with other kids.
Environment: If youre around a lot of people, such as on a plane or at a concert, youre more likely to encounter rhinoviruses.
Compromised immune system: If you have a chronic illness or have been sick recently, you may be more likely to pick up a cold virus.
Smoking: People who smoke have an increased risk for catching a cold. Their colds also tend to be more severe when they have them.
Best Daytime Cold Medicine: Contac Cold + Flu Daytime Caplets
If you are looking for a daytime cold medicine that can do it all, CONTAC Cold + Flu Daytime Caplets are exactly what you need. If you are suffering from all of the classic symptoms of a cold, like sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, and cough, this will do the trick. The medication contains the maximum amount of active ingredients. These pills are totally non-drowsy, so you will not be feeling tired after taking it.
With a powerful combination of three different medications in one dose, you can get rid of your worst symptoms in one swift dose. It also has an ingredient that works as a fever reducer, as well. The medicine itself comes in an easy to take caplet form. They even help to reduce sinus pressure and pain. With this daytime cold medicine, you will feel like your normal self in no time at all.
CONTACT Cold + Flu Daytime Caplets Key Features:
- Non-drowsy
The multi-symptom relief that you will find with GoodSense Nighttime Cold and Flu Relief is unparalleled. With the maximum amount of ingredients, it will allow you to get a good nights sleep without any of your cold symptoms bothering you, so you can wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and brand new. It works on all the typical symptoms of a cold, including fever.
GoodSense Nighttime Cold and Flu Relief Key Features:
- Easy to take syrup
- Helps to get a good nights sleep
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Coricidin Decongestant Free Cold And Flu
Patients with heart problems such as atrial fibrillation or hypertension should avoid medications containing decongestants, which often have a label ending in -D,. Dr. Moreno adds that typically, these medicines include pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine which may cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. If you do have any cardiac problems, you should certainly see your physician before using any over-the-counter medicines. However, they are likely to prescribe Coricidin Decongestant-Free Cold and Flu, the flu and cold medicine designed especially for individuals with these kinds of prior problems. It depends on chlorpheniramine and acetaminophen to treat symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, headache, fever, and body pains and aches.
There are many efficient cold and flu medicines available in the market, which makes selecting a top choice though. Mucinex, on the other hand, wins the top spot owing to overwhelming consumer ratings and pharmacist endorsements as to the most effective and non-drowsy flu and cold medicine. Mucinex products are distinguished by their active component guaifenesin, responsible for thinning the mucus and efficiently relieves chest congestion.
Things to Look for in a Good Cold Medicine
There is no such thing as universal cold medicine. Before selecting a medicine, there are several things to consider.
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