Good Lifestyle

It's sometimes a challenge to try to find cold drugs on the counter-sale. One thing you should not fail to do is list the ingredients and make them match the symptoms you have. "Evaluate what you bothers you most, then target the appropriate drug for the symptom" advises William J. Hueston, MD, Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. "Make sure you understand what the drug is before you buy it."

Nsaids

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prevent inflammation and decrease the level of fever. These are good for sore throat, headaches, muscle pain or fever. They include ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, naproxen and (aleve), among others. Many cold drugs combine include an NSAID.
Reasons to avoid:
If you take NSAID for blood clots, rheumatoid arthritis or other disease, see experts before taking NSAs for cold relief. These are bad for acid reflux or gastric ulcers or mix them with any medicine that affects the stomach. It sometimes triggers asthma too.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is Tylenol's active ingredient used in most cold drugs that are given to people with fever or pain. "Tylenol can often be less upsetting for the stomach than NSAIDs," reveals Dr. Hueston.
Reasons to avoid:
Those who already have hepatitis or cirrhosis should avoid acetaminophen. It is very dangerous for people with liver problems.

Antihistamine

Antihistamines are good for the symptoms of an allergy such as uncontrollable sneezing, a nose flowing, a feeling of itching and aqueous eyes. They can be diphenhydramine (benadrylie), brompheniramine (dimetap) and laoratadine (claritine). Dr. Hueston also said: "Even when you take combined medications, antihistamine is not the ingredient that helps you."
Reasons to avoid:
Somnolence as a result of a type of antihistamine (Benadryl, Dimétap) can cause problems at work, while driving and your daily activities.

Decongestants

The decongestants are good for a stuffy nose. They can be many guys namely the pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Sudafed PE). "You can always go to the pharmacy and pick up a box, but it's a bit restrictive because you have to sign for this at the counter" advises Dr. Hueston.
Reasons to avoid:
You may find yourself with quick heartbeat and / or shakes of these drugs. "This reaction is due to the way they metabolize the decongestant", clarifies Dr. Hueston. Decongestants sometimes increase blood pressure, so it is advisable to avoid them if you already have serious hypertension.

Expectorant

These are also called mucolytics, helps reduce congestion because they serve the mucus trapped inside the lungs. They help to touch. The main constituent is called Guafénesin (mucinex, robitusin thoracic congestion).
Reasons to avoid:
Side effects can be a headache, nausea or vomiting.

Cough suppressors

Also known as anti-euturing, these can remove the cough in case they would have dextromethorphane or codeine, Dr. Hesteston's claims. Codeine is recommended for people with severe cough. Codeine needs a prescription to buy pharmacy. Dextromethorphane is also the main ingredient of most drugs.
Reasons to avoid:
People with constipation and need to stay alert to their work must avoid taking coderein. Dextromethorphane also has side effects but is milder.

Nasal decongestants

Nasal sprays such as oxymetazoline (Afrin, Nasin and others) go directly to the nose, helps clean the sinus almost immediately.
Reasons to avoid:
If a nasal decongestant is overused, it can lead to dependency. People with arterial hypertension should avoid using.

Dangerous combinations

If you mix multiple over-the-counter remedies, you may find you more than the good dose of a drug or a medicine class. "Be careful when taking two of the same medications", reveals Dr. Hueston, "do not take two different decongestants, for example, and if you are taking a combined or multi-symptom medicine, you probably should not take anything else. "
Dr. Hueston advises people to use "a medicine for a symptom".

Zinc

Zinc helps relieve the throat of the throat reveals Dr. Hesteon, who suggests zinc diamonds to use by patients who have a throat.
Reasons to avoid:
Zinc can cause irritation in the mouth and even upset your stomach. Too much zinc can also alter your immune system.