Medicines for colds and coughs | Medicines for colds

Medicines for colds and coughs

Especially in the winter months, many patients suffer from colds. There are various medications for colds and coughs that can be used to help the patient quickly get healthy and fit again. For heart-healthy patients, it is especially important to drink about 2 liters of tea per day, as this leads to a mucus-diluting process, which ensures that the patient has to cough less, as the mucus liquefies by itself.

But there are also some medications for colds and coughs. On the one hand, there are various lotions containing eucalyptus, for example, which can be applied to the chest and back. In addition, there are different cough syrups, for example with ribwort plantain, which are suitable as a medicine against colds and coughs, as long as the patient drinks at least 2-3 liters per day, since the cough syrup also ensures that the mucus liquefies and this is only possible if the patient takes in enough liquid. Steam inhalations, for example with thyme or sage, are also suitable as medication for colds and coughs and can be repeated several times. Furthermore, there are natural medications with ivy or eucalyptus or chemical medications with N-acetylcysteine, potassium iodide or ambroxol, which can be used as medications against colds and coughs and accelerate the disease process, so that the patient recovers faster.

Medicines for children

Children and infants often suffer from a cold or flu-like infection in the winter months. To relieve the symptoms and promote recovery, there are various medicines for children against colds. However, it is important for small children not to take any menthol-containing medicines for the common cold, as this can cause the larynx (larynx) to contract, resulting in severe breathing difficulties.

In general, however, there are many medicines for colds that can be used in children and infants. Sage teas, nasal sprays and nasal drops with a solution containing sea salt are very well suited for this purpose. Chemical medications should not be used because there are few studies on the effects of chemical medications on small children.

Even with water bath inhalations, which can be used as medication for children to treat colds, only water baths with sea salt should be inhaled, as essential oils can also cause a cramping of the larynx. If a fever occurs during a cold, it is very important to inform the doctor and under no circumstances should Paracetamol® be prescribed without consulting the doctor, as this drug can quickly lead to liver poisoning, especially in small children. It is better to use calf compresses as a medication, as they cool the child slightly but do not artificially lower the fever and therefore do not influence the disease process.

Also with cough syrups it is to be strictly observed which ingredients are contained in the cough syrup and whether this is suitable as a medicine against colds in children and infants. Preparations containing peppermint, for example, should be avoided at all costs. Therefore, it is generally true that if a child has a cold, the medication for the child should be discussed in detail with the pediatrician to avoid unwanted complications.