It’s the season of coughs and colds! Filipinos are used to the tropical climate. Only experiencing the colder season towards the end of the year, many adults and young ones catch colds, coughs, and fever due to the change in the environment’s temperature.
With all the vacations and out-of-town trips, here are some essential medicines you would want to pack when traveling during the cold season. From over the counter flu medicine to nasal sprays, combat dry cough, fever, and cold before it gets worse. There is nothing more unpleasant and inconvenient than traveling with a sore throat or runny nose.
Antihistamines
For runny nose, constant sneezing, watery and itchy eyes, antihistamines are the medicines to consume to prevent a cold or allergy to get worse. Cetirizine, Loratidine, Decolgen, and Neozep are a few of the medicines that can help reduce the inconvenience of nonstop sneezing accompanied by a runny nose.
Imagine climbing the mountains or doing strenuous activities with teary and itchy eyes due to constant sneezing caused by allergies. Often, allergies are acquired when particles of pollen, dander, dirt and other antigens enter the body through the nose or sometimes the mouth.
Nasal Steroid Spray
Aside from antihistamine, nasal sprays are used to alleviate the inconvenience of a runny nose or constant sneezing in the meantime. Nasal steroids and corticosteroids are medicines that help make breathing through the nose easier.
These sprays decrease the case of inflammation within the nasal passages caused by allergies. Nasal steroid sprays are also referred to as nasal decongestants. They are liquid in form and contained in squeeze bottles. Popular nasal sprays include Muconase and Salinase. They are known for temporarily clearing the nasal passages off stubborn mucus and treating allergic rhinitis.
Sore Throat Lozenges
Difflam, cough drops or cough suppressants, are lozenges or drops consumed to reduce the discomfort and unpleasant feeling of a sore throat. Commonly they contain menthol and eucalyptus oil that is said to have itch-soothing properties.
These lozenges increase the saliva production in the corners of the mouth which allows the throat to be lubricated. Medicated lozenges are different from candy or cough drops. The former is typically prescribed by a doctor which allows a slow yet ensured recovery for sore throat. Lozenges like Strepsils, Cepacol, and Difflam are popular candies consumed at least once every 2 hours until the throat no longer needs to be lubricated.
Expectorants
The best form of expectorant is Guaifenesin. Expectorants are responsible for thinning and loosening the mucus that built up in the airways. It also clears congestion which makes breathing through the mouth easier. Other popular brands for expectorants include Robitussin.
These expectorants are not to be used for ongoing cough due to smoking habits and other long-term breathing problems like chronic bronchitis. Expectorants are taken to alleviate breathing problems due to bacteria that have only attacked the airways and not the delicate parts of the lungs. Expectorants are also called cough syrups. Some herbal cough syrups include Ascof Lagundi extract.
Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen in the form of Advil, Midol and Alaxan are also called pain killers or relievers. They reduce inflammation in any part of the body. Typically, they are taken by women going through painful dysmenorrhea, while other uses include painful teeth or a mild headache.
They are intended for short-term use only. If the pain persists for more than 10 days, it is necessary to have the condition checked by a physician. In more scientific terms, NSAIDs decrease the body’s production of prostaglandin. It is an enzyme that delivers the pain messages experienced by the body to the brain. With that, the brain reacts to the pain lesser.
Phenylephrine Paracetamol
For children experiencing runny or clogged noses, itchy and watery eyes, as well as constant sneezing, Neozep syrup or drops remain a suitable medicine to consume. These symptoms are signs that the child obtained a common cold, has allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, or other minor respiratory tract infections.
Take note that Neozep is similar to anti-inflammatory drugs. They should not be taken for more than 10 days. They are only consumed to alleviate short-term infections of the respiratory tract for children.
Key Takeaway
Flu medicines, nasal sprays, decongestants, lozenges, a couple of tissue boxes, alcohol, and face masks are some of the essentials your small medicinal kit must contain when traveling during the colder season. Take note of the duration when taking over the counter medicines.
Most of them are termed over the counter because there is no prescription regarding the amount to take. Over-the-counter medicines come with pamphlets explaining the side effects as well as the proper dosage to take depending on age. On a final note, ensure the safety and comfort of your family by making a list of the medicines to take with you during the trip.