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Cold symptoms include headaches, congestion, a runny nose, sneezing and a sore throat. Colds last for 3-7 days. There are over 200 different kinds of cold viruses, and there is no treatment for any type of cold besides rest and hydration. However, you can treat the symptoms of a cold in the following ways:
Take Antihistamines.
Antihistamines prevent histamines from causing the cells in your body from swelling and leaking fluid, which cause itching, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, nausea, vomiting and sleeplessness. Antihistamines can also be taken to suppress coughs. Be careful that drugs that contain antihistamine cause intense drowsiness, so be sure not to drive or operate heavy machinery after taking these drugs. You can find antihistamine at any local food or drug store.
Take Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS).
NSAIDS reduce fevers, sinus headaches, aches and pains and soar, inflamed throats that are caused by a cold. NSAIDS prevent cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes from working in your body. COX enzymes speed up the production of prostaglandins, the chemical that causes the sensation of pain and controls your body temperature. Taking NSAIDs results in the reduction of pain, reduces inflammation, and lowers fevers.
Take Decongestants (vasoconstrictors).
Decongestants relieve nasal congestion with a mixture of noradrenaline and adrenaline which causes vasoconstriction. Vasoconstriction is the restricting of blood vessels in your body. As a result, your mucous membranes in your nose shrink and you are temporarily relieved from congestion and a runny nose. Common vasoconstrictors most common in cold medicines are phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. Amphetamines, antihistamines, and caffeine can also work as decongestants.
Take Cough Suppressants (narcotics).
It is important to only treat dry coughs - suppressing a phlegm cough is bad for your health, you could develop pneumonia or other lung-related complications. Cough suppressants effect the part of the brain that controls cough reflexes. Narcotic cough suppressants are the most effective suppressants, specifically heroin (though not approved in the US), codeine, and dextromethorphan.
These narcotics are used as cough suppressants, but also used as a pain reliever and a sedative. They are also both highly addictive. The most common cough suppressant drug you want to look for in cough medicines is dextromethorphan.
Know if you need treatment for more than a cold.
You know you have more than a cold if your symptoms include a fever, chest pain, sickness that lasts longer than 5 days, nausea, vomiting, and a soar throat with swollen glands. If these types of symptoms last for more than 2 or 3 days, see your doctor.
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