Colds
Many of us have heard: “Don’t go outside without a coat; you’ll catch a cold.” That’s not exactly true. As with many things, the reality is more complicated. Here’s the distinction: Being cold isn’t why you get a cold. But it is true that cold weather makes it easier to…
Which drugs work and which don’t? What natural alternatives are there? Is it a cold or the flue? Do I need antibiotics?
In the last week of September 2021, a group of more than 90 doctors and researchers published a call to action, cautioning against the liberal use of Tylenol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy. The studies suggested that exposure to the drug could increase the risk of a baby having neurodevelopmental, reproductive and…
I swallowed so many doses of over-the-counter (OTC) cold medication when I was a child. “Cough medicine” was my mother’s go-to remedy for colds. At the first cough or sneeze, she’d pull the bottles from the top kitchen shelf and carefully pour the viscous liquid onto a spoon, which she…
With cold and flu season in full swing, people with high blood pressure that is not controlled well or who have heart disease need to be careful with over-the-counter cold medicines, as they may cause a spike in blood pressure. Many cold medicines contain decongestants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),…
Cold season has arrived. When you come down with the sniffles or a sore throat, what are the best remedies at your drug store to help you feel better? Getting a cold can be a miserable experience that most of us will probably have at least once over the next…
Children under the age of 12 should not be given decongestant medications for a cold as they can have adverse effects and are not effective, according to a new analysis. Researchers examined existing trials that looked at treatments for colds, including decongestants, antihistamines, analgesics, nasal corticosteroids, antimuscarinics and saline nasal…
If you are using cough drops to soothe a nagging cough, stop right now! They are doing you more harm than good. Is your cough lingering for days, even weeks, after the congestion and exhaustion of a cold or flu is gone? If you are using cough drops to soothe…
Drug store shelves are filled with an overwhelming number of remedies to treat the cold or flu. But which ones actually work? My mother had a strict rule when I was a child. If 1 of her 4 kids was sick enough to stay home from school, we got bed…
A bad cold prompted MedShadow’s founder to find out more about Zicam, a homeopathic medicine. The lack of long-term data on the therapy was a concern. I have my first cold in years. My sister recommended Zicam, a homeopathic remedy based on zinc. So I checked out their website. On…
Which cold remedies are both safe and effective? Many OTC cold remedies swap cold symptoms with unwelcome and possibly dangerous side effects. Should you tough out your cold or take something?
