Peeked inside your medicine cabinet lately? Cold and flu season is about to start. Illness usually catches an otherwise healthy person by surprise. You suddenly come down with flu-like symptoms – or a child falls and there’s a bleeding wound. Most often these things happen at inconvenient times when routine health services are closed. This is the time to turn to your medicine cabinet!
Pharmacies carry a dizzying array of over- the-counter products. What you should have in your medicine cabinet depends on your needs. So, stock the basics and be ready when you’re hit with a headache, heartburn, or an annoying allergy attack.
Plan your medicine cabinet makeover. It’s likely that you’re probably missing a few items that you or your loved ones will need. Here’s a heads-up for the necessities:
• Painkillers and fever-reducing medicine. If you keep only one thing in your medicine cabinet it should be paracetamol and/or ibuprofen. These drugs have a dual action. They relieve pain and reduce fever.
• Get a quality thermometer. Keeping tabs on your temperature will give you an indication when it is time to get help. Digital thermometers are user friendly.
• Hydrocortisone. Is a go-to, anti-itch medication. Excellent for bug bites or any allergic reactions that cause itching or a rash.
• Band –aids. For minor cuts and scrapes. Only use a Band-Aid if the cut is likely to get dirty. Deep and large scrapes should be seen and treated by your doctor.
• Antiseptics. A pinch of salt in water is usually more than adequate. An antiseptic which contain iodine or benzalkonium chloride can also be used on minor cuts and abrasions. For young children, topical products that contain local anaesthetic may provide pain relief to allow a tear-free cleansing of the wound.
• Antacids. The sensation of acid coming up from your stomach is unpleasant and may be precipitated by a spicy meal or a night out on the town. Antacids work by neutralising the acid. A liquid preparation usually works better.
• Laxatives. All of us have occasional bouts of constipation. Both fibre and stimulant laxatives have been proven to improve the number of bowel movements in people with chronic constipation. The best approach, however, is diet and exercise.
• Antihistamine. Allergies? One tablets relieves itching, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. They work best if taken before you expose yourself to known allergens, and can block symptoms before they start – but will relieve symptoms later on as well. They are available in non-drowsy formulas that can be taken any time of the day, or sedating formulas, to be taken before sleep.
• Medication for ear infections. If you have kids at home, you may want to ask your paediatrician about a product containing antipyrine with benzocaine, especially if your child is prone to bouts of ear infections. This contains an anti-inflammatory and a local anaesthetic and can be a sleep saver.
• Antifungal for vaginitis. If you’ve had one or more bouts of vaginitis, you should probably have a spare container of an antifungal product to save you an annoying trip to the pharmacy.
• A cold and flu combo. Nothing can prevent of cure colds and flu. But, a combo drug can cut the “fog” that comes along with all the symptoms. Include an expectorant, to thin mucus so you can cough it out.
• Nasal spray. For nasal congestion due to allergies or early signs of a cold – which get pumped directly into the nose – relieving the symptoms without having to pop a pill.
• Ice pack. A bag of frozen peas will do, but it’s helpful to have something more durable in the freezer to ice sore ligaments and muscles.
• Drugs for diarrhoea. A product containing Loperamide works well by slowing down activity in the gastrointestinal tract. Make sure to rehydrate with lots of fluids or rehydration sachets.
Be prepared this winter. Make sure to keep your medicine cabinet organized, check for expiry dates and age specifications.
Source: www.mensfitness.com, int.hansaplast.com, www.wikihow.com, www.intellihealth.com, www.getrichslow.org, experiencelife.com, www.theguardian.com,latimes.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
