Medicines for colds

Introduction

A cold is an infection caused by bacteria or viruses, which can lead to rhinitis, hoarseness, a scratchy throat, sore throat, cough and possibly also fever. Especially in the winter months many patients get a cold and therefore need medication against the cold. Here the patient can fall back on different medicines against colds. Especially popular are simple home remedies, but there are also various over-the-counter medicines for colds from the pharmacy up to prescription drugs, which can only be obtained with the help of a prescription from a doctor in a pharmacy.

Household remedy against cold symptoms

In winter many patients are plagued by a cold. Especially household remedies as medicines against colds are very popular because they are inexpensive, usually already available at home and in addition often help just as effectively as a chemically produced medicine. Depending on the symptoms, the patient can use different home remedies as medicines against colds.

If a patient suffers from a runny nose or a blocked nose and feels that he or she can no longer breathe, the patient can try to inhale over hot water (40-65°). To do this, the hot water is poured into a bowl, possibly adding another substance such as salt, pine needles or essential oils. The patient then leans over the bowl and inhales the hot steam coming from the surface of the water.

It is important not to touch the water during this process, as this can cause burns. In order to increase the effect, the patient should also place a towel over the head and the bowl so that the steam reaches the patient’s nose directly and cannot spread around the room. This inhalation is a good household remedy and medicine against colds and especially against the common cold during a cold.

This household remedy is also very suitable as a medicine against colds and their symptoms in case of a severe cough and especially in case of a dry cough. It is important to note that babies and small children should under no circumstances inhale (inhale) additives containing menthol, as this can cause a respiratory arrest and the child may die from it. Inhaling hot steam is therefore recommended as a household remedy and medicine against colds, especially for adults and adolescents.

Other household remedies and medicines for colds include various types of tea. Especially sage tea, camomile tea or fennel tea are very suitable as household remedies and medicine against colds, so that larger quantities (about 1l of tea per day is optimal) can be taken. Sage can also be taken as a lozenge, making it an excellent remedy for coughs.

But tea and sage lozenges also help with sore throats and hoarseness as a household remedy and medicine against colds and their symptoms. Some patients, on the other hand, feel better with hoarseness if they put a cooling compress around their neck or suck on a piece of ice. It should be noted, however, that this household remedy or medicine for the symptoms of the common cold only improves hoarseness, but could make other symptoms such as coughing worse.

If you have a fever, the most important home remedy is strict bed rest for at least 2-3 days until the symptoms have subsided completely. Another simple household remedy for fever is the calf compress, as it cools the patient somewhat and thus relieves the symptoms. However, since fever is a very important and necessary defense process of the body, the fever should not be constantly tried to cool down. After a few days, the body regulates the body temperature on its own and therefore household remedies are recommended, less medication for colds in case of fever.