#and zinc and potentially benadryl

[the-technorats]

a string of words i hope i never have to say in this order was something my stepmom (?) said last night that i have repeated in my head to myself probably every waking hour today because of how funny i find it and it was "i'm waiting for my vinegar water to cool down so i can take my pills"

[agentlewhisper]

Your friendly neighborhood pharmacist’s travel medicine

I have been traveling a lot more this year than before. Some don’t like to take any medications period, but I am your typical type-A gal who likes to pack everything and anything in case of any natural disaster that may leave me stranded on an island. I would like to share my go-to-meds that I pack whenever I travel domestically or internationally.

1. Advil and/or Tylenol. 

I carry either of these everywhere. I have frequent headaches that leave me quite debilitated once started. I feel that Advil 400mg usually does the trick for me, however if I only have Tylenol I take the 500mg (extra strength) and it works just as well. There is some evidence that ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) works better for menstruation-related pain than acetaminophen (Tylenol), although I’ve never had to compare the two (thankfully).

2. Neosporin/Band-Aids.

I carry these around everywhere (2). I always cut myself on the most random things and have a thing for being a klutz. Of course I don’t want any possible infections and don’t want my blood smearing whatever I touch, therefore I make sure I have these on hand whenever the accidents happen.

3. Zyrtec/Benadryl.

Going to a new destination may mean a new climate and perhaps different types of trees with pollen, depending on time of the year. I find that having some antihistamines on hand helps alleviate any potential allergies that may interfere with my going on a spontaneous hiking trip. Benadryl is helpful if you accidentally ingest some food you might have an allergic reaction to.

4. My vitamins.

In addition to multivitamins, I also take a vitamin B-6 (also called pyridoxine) and zinc. I had these gifted by my brother and try to take them every day, because I find that these do help me feel more emotionally “alive” and less apathetic. 

Of course, you should consult your medical professionals (i.e. primary care provider) if you have any conditions requiring medications. Please feel free to share with me your own go-to travel medication list! Thanks for reading.

[howellrichard]

COVID vs. Allergies

By now, we are all familiar with the coronavirus. It has had a major impact on not only the health of many in our nation, but on our entire economy as well, cause stress, fear, and in some cases full-on panic. Unfortunately, it happens to be spreading at the same time many are starting to experience symptoms produced by allergies coordinating with this time of year. And, while there are some similarities between the symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal allergies, it’s important to note their differences to avoid further anxiety and a potential hospital visit.

all

Morbidity vs. Mortality

Before really diving into the symptoms of these two issues, it is important to understand two words that are often used when reading or hearing about this pandemic. The first is morbidity and this refers to the severity of the symptoms and the quality of life during the illness. The second, mortality, is the percentage of people that actually die from the illness.

With COVID-19, individuals may be knocked out for several weeks. This is in contrast to the common cold or flu, which may last a few days to one week. Therefore, this virus has a high morbidity rate. Along with this, some reports are showing a mortality rate anywhere from 2% to 14% depending on the country which is reporting it.

Symptoms of COVID-19

So what exactly are the symptoms of COVID-19 and what should individuals be on the lookout for? Based on several accounts, many people are claiming that the illness starts with a sore throat. From there, a high fever typically develops and seems to come and go. 

Additionally, people are experiencing severe fatigue, headaches, a dry cough, chills, body aches, sweats, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Some, out of China, are also reporting that they had GI symptoms like nausea, vomiting, bloating, and pain. The real concern, and what is usually the cause of death, is when the virus significantly impacts and hinders the lungs.

Symptoms of Allergies

Like coronavirus, those with allergies may also experience a headache, cough, difficulty breathing, itchy or sore throat, and nausea from a postnasal drip. However, they are likely to also have watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, rashes and/or hives.

Knowing the Difference

So while there may be overlap in the symptoms of allergies and COVID-19, if one starts to experience a fever, chills, body aches, and debilitating fatigue, it may be time to call a doctor. He or she will advise on whether you may have it and instruct further on seeking testing. Without these main four symptoms, it is probably just seasonal allergies that can be treated from home.

The Concern with Allergies

It’s certainly a relief to learn that an individual may simply be experiencing an allergic reaction to pollen or other components of the external environment. However, it is important to note that allergies can have a significant impact on the body.  Primarily, they can overwhelm the immune system. 

This creates a huge histamine burden and results in many of the symptoms previously discussed. With the immune system overwhelmed by allergens, an individual is left more susceptible to catching the virus and ultimately may have a decreased ability to fight it off.

The Problem with Antihistamines

When faced with many of the issues caused by seasonal allergies, most people are quick to reach for over the counter antihistamines like Benadryl or Singulair. However, it’s important to understand the impact these can have on the body before committing to taking them all season. These include:

Increasing the risk of infection

Impacting REM sleep and therefore impacting the immune system and the ability of the body to rest and restore itself

Impacting digestion by acid suppression. This, in turn, limits the digestion and absorption of vital nutrients, minerals, and vitamins needed for the immune system. These include protein, zinc, magnesium, selenium, calcium, and several B-vitamins.

It is important to note that these issues occur with prolonged use of medication, anywhere from one to two months. Those who take it on occasion will likely not experience these.

Stabilizing Mast Cell Release

If taking an antihistamine long term is dangerous for the body, what can be done to alleviate allergy symptoms? First, it’s important to understand why the body has such a strong reaction to allergens. Mast cells are a specialized type of immune cell in the body that when exposed to allergens will release histamine. When too much is released, these undesired symptoms occur. 

Antihistamines block the function of the mast cells (producing histamine); however, histamine is important to immune functions and is even a neurotransmitter that helps the body feel alert, awake, and focused. That is why antihistamines often make one feel tired.

Try These Supplements for Allergies

Therefore, instead of trying to get rid of histamine, it’s more beneficial to consume nutrients that stabilize the membrane around these mast cells. This will make it less likely to break open. These supplements include:

Quercetin

Nettle

Bromelain

Vitamin C

Many of these have been used for hundreds of years to stabilize mast cells and to help avoid an exaggerated response from them when exposed to allergens. Additionally, they don’t have the side effects of traditional antihistamines, making them a safe and ideal alternative.

Air Filtration System

  Along with supplements, it may be beneficial to invest in an air filtration system, like HEPA. Not only can it reduce allergens within the air in a home, but it can also minimize many of the other pollutants found in the world today. 

Be Informed, Not Panicked

Therefore, with so much information being thrown at us about the coronavirus, it is imperative to learn the facts and know the signs of the virus. With this knowledge, you can make educated decisions about your health and know when it may be time to seek additional medical attention. Remember, if you’ve never experienced seasonal allergies before, it’s likely that you won’t start now. So if you are experiencing some of the signs of these conditions, stay calm, contact your doctor, and follow his or her lead on how to proceed.

The post COVID vs. Allergies appeared first on Gluten-Free Society.

[vsplusonline]

Which cold remedies actually help to reduce symptoms?

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/which-cold-remedies-actually-help-to-reduce-symptoms/

Which cold remedies actually help to reduce symptoms?

Some days, it can seem like everyone around you is sick.

And should you start coughing, sneezing and sniffling yourself – life can be pretty miserable.

Related News

But before you reach for your favourite cold remedies, be aware, they’re not all created equal. While some do seem to have an effect, some haven’t been studied much, and many don’t appear to do much at all.

Here’s a look at common cold remedies, and whether they will actually help to alleviate your symptoms.

READ MORE: Do you have a common cold or the flu? Here are the cold hard facts

First of all, some bad news. There is no way to actually cure a cold.

“You can do things that make you feel better, but nothing cures it,” said Dr. Michael Rieder, who holds the CIHR/GSK chair in pediatric pharmacology at Western University.

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There is, however, some research on ways to shorten its duration. The typical cold incubation period is between twelve hours and four days, Rieder said, and the cold itself usually lasts between seven and eleven days in most people.

Zinc

Zinc might make that shorter, Reider said. “There are a couple of trials showing that if you are otherwise healthy and you get a cold, if you take zinc in the first 24 hours, it reduces duration.”

READ MORE: Feeling stressed might raise your risk of catching a cold, say doctors

The evidence is mixed though. Jennifer Isenor, an associate professor in the school of pharmacy at Dalhousie University, is skeptical about zinc.

“Newer evidence actually doesn’t support it,” she said. A randomized controlled trial on zinc lozenges published in January 2020 found that zinc didn’t help to shorten a cold’s duration.

The evidence on most things that purport to shorten a cold is weak, Rieder said. “So the primary emphasis is really still on symptom control.”

Vitamin C

The evidence on whether Vitamin C can prevent colds, reduce their duration or help minimize symptoms isn’t great, Isenor said.

“It has not been shown to have benefit in the general population.”

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“Even in megadoses, no one has actually shown that Vitamin C alone does very much in terms of reducing incidence. But there is a suggestion that if you give large doses, it might reduce the duration — there is some suggestion of that, although the data is not firm on that,” Rieder said.

READ MORE: When is your cold most contagious?

Vitamin C has been talked about in relation to colds for a long time, he said, “and you know, no one’s ever shown that it works.”

Echinacea

The results on Echinacea are inconclusive, Rieder said. “There’s a couple of trials that suggest that Echinacea might reduce the total number of colds.”

Unfortunately, he said, it only seems to work if you’re taking it steadily for several months while healthy – not if you are already sick.

“It’s not like, when you get sick, take Echinacea,” he said. “By then the horse may have left the stable.”

1:12 Cold myths debunked: Here are 3 common cold myths that parents still rely on

Cold myths debunked: Here are 3 common cold myths that parents still rely on

Cough syrup

Cough syrups have a “modest” effect in adults and “don’t work” in kids, Rieder said.

Rieder, who wrote the Canadian Pediatric Society’s guidelines on colds, said there’s not enough proof that cough medicine works on children, and so, kids probably shouldn’t take it.

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“We don’t recommend anything in kids beyond symptom relief with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, so Tylenol or Advil,” he said. “And that’s because there’s no evidence of efficacy, and there is some evidence of harm.”

Health Canada recommends against giving cough and cold mediation to children under six years old, Isenor said.

Health Canada reviewed the medications in 2009 and found that they weren’t effective. The department also points to possible risks with the products. “Serious harm, including misuse, overdose and side-effects may occur in children under 6 years of age when using over-the-counter cough and cold products, although the risk of such serious harm is low,” the department wrote in a bulletin in 2016.

READ MORE: Most parents believe wet hair can cause a cold — they’re wrong

“And then even for those that are older, there’s really insufficient evidence to support their use,” Isenor said.

Honey might help to relieve kids’ cough symptoms, she said. “There is certainly some (evidence) that does show that honey is better than no treatment or placebo and that it’s relatively safe.”

It shouldn’t be given to kids under a year old because of the risk of botulism, but otherwise, a teaspoon of honey can help, she said.

Vapour rubs might also have some effect. Otherwise, fluids and throat lozenges are good options for a sore throat and might help with coughing, she said.

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WATCH: (From 2016) Many parents are still giving children cough and cold medication, despite Health Canada warning

1:56 Children still being given cough and cold medicine despite Health Canada warning

Children still being given cough and cold medicine despite Health Canada warning

For adults, some prescription cough syrups with codeine have a bit of an effect, Rieder said, though he doesn’t generally recommend them for safety reasons. Starting in January, some liquid cough syrups with codeine became restricted prescription drugs and have had to be stored in a special safe in pharmacies, along with other controls.

Antihistamines

“There’s some evidence that the older antihistamines, like the first-generation ones, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), improve runny nose and sneezing,” Rieder said.

However, there are concerns about their safety, Isenor said, particularly in children, older adults and people with certain medical conditions or who take certain medications. “And it’s probably not that effective anyway on the runny nose and things.”

READ MORE: Reality check — Can a hot toddy really help relieve cold symptoms?

Second-generation antihistamines don’t have any effect at all on cold symptoms, Rieder said, though they’re good for treating allergies.

Decongestants

Studies on nasal sprays have shown some small improvements in congestion, Isenor said, but it’s not clear whether it’s clinically significant for most people.

Again though, she said, there are some safety concerns with kids, older adults and people on certain medications or with certain medical conditions.

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Nasal sprays can generally only be used for a few days too, she said. “Otherwise there is something known as ‘rebound congestion.’ So you can get the congestion back, and worse.”

Saline sprays, drops and saline irrigation systems like Neti-Pots haven’t been shown to have much of an effect, but they are relatively safe, she said. “People can try it if they feel it’s helpful.”

Pain relievers

Pain medications, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, have shown some benefit in helping people feel a bit better, both Isenor and Rieder said.

They help with muscle aches that often go along with a cold, Rieder said.

A 2014 review of cold treatments found that these medications did help with fever, though not with other symptoms, unsurprisingly.

Combination medications

Many cold medications, like Nyquil and lots of other cough-and-cold formulations, combine a cough suppressant, decongestant, antihistamine and often a pain reliever, like acetaminophen in a single medication, Isenor said.

A 2014 review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found a “small to moderate effect” in adults for medications that combined antihistamines and decongestants.

But, Isenor said, you want to be careful about combining them with other drugs. “One big concern is if they’re using the combination products, especially with acetaminophen, if they add on additional acetaminophen (…) there is potential for overdose.”

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1:11 Here are 3 ways you can become more prone to catching a cold

Here are 3 ways you can become more prone to catching a cold

Chicken soup

Chicken soup is good, Rieder said, but there’s nothing that special about it. “Hydration is always good because when you have a cold, you want to stay hydrated, and chicken soup has electrolytes in it.”

“It has no other specific benefit.”

Antibiotics

Antibiotics don’t help with viral infections like a cold, Isenor said, and they can contribute to antibiotic resistance – a very serious public health issue.

Best remedy

Given that so many long-held remedies have been more or less debunked, what should you do?

Despite the plethora of products out there, the best thing for a cold is rest, Rieder said.

“If you’re sneezing every 10 minutes, sweating all over the place, don’t go to work. Stay home, go to bed, watch Netflix, take it easy, take some of that chicken soup we talked about with a cup of tea with honey.”

“Take it easy and get better.”

© 2020 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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[the-life-and-thoughts-of-me]

Common Cold and Influenza at home treatments and prevention - pt 1

Disclaimer:

None of the information that is published in this article is a replacement for medical advice. This is only general information and does not take personal medical or legal context into consideration. Always consult a pharmacist and/or a doctor before using any new treatments, whether over the counter or not.

Prevention of cold/flu There are a few ways to prevent becoming sick with the cold/flu in the first place, these include:

General hygiene and hand washing

Avoiding people who are sick (stay home if at all possible if unwell)

Keep up exercise and healthy eating (it will keep your immune system strong)

Get vaccinated if you are in an at risk group

If you need to go out while sick or are in an at risk group, medical masks can be useful. 

In the realm of hand washing there are a few substances that are useful - I will discuss these in another post:

Isopropyl alchohol based handrubs

Chlorhexidine handrubs

Soap and water

Complications

If you get the flu you may also get “Complications”. Complications are conditions that can develop from the flu and usually happens in at risk groups. One major complication is pneumonia which can develop after the flu due to a compromised immune system. 

Other complications include: myocarditis - inflammation of the heart

encephalitis - inflammation of the brain

myositis or rhabdomyolysis - inflammation of the muscle tissue

multi-organ failure - for example, you may have respiratory and kidney failure

Sepsis - when the body’s chemicals which are released to fight infection overwhelm the body, leading to a critical condition which can lead to death.

Worsened Asthma - if you have asthma before the flu, this can be exacerbated, sometimes severely.

Worsened pre-existing heart conditions - if you have a heart condition before the flu, this can be exacerbated.

The complications section has information from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/symptoms.htm

Vaccinations

Some people don't believe in vaccinating. While it’s scientifically evidenced to work and be highly effective, this is a personal choice. People need to weigh the pros and cons of vaccinating. For myself, if I don't vaccinate, I will almost certainly end up in hospital with the flu and breathing issues so I vaccinate. I still get the flu but it’s not as bad as usual. Vaccinations can prevent or lower the chance of the flu and if you are in an at risk population (if you are aboriginal or of Torres straight islander heritage, if you are over 65, have diabetes or asthma or if you are immunocompromised) you can get the vaccinations for free from your GP.  If you choose to vaccinate there are at least two good vaccinations you can get.  There is the general flu vaccine that needs to be administered yearly, there’s also a pneumonia vaccine that covers 23 strains of pneumonia. This is administered depending on the individual, some people need boosters, but some people need it once and have it last for life, your GP will be able to discuss this with you.

Treatment of Cold/Flu

If you get the cold/flu, please do NOT take antibiotics or request them. The cold/flu is caused by a viral infection, not by bacteria. Antibiotics don’t work, AND, using them also contributes to antibiotic resistance.

Having said that, if you have complications and are at particular risk from the flu, there are a few antiviral drugs that can be used (they need to be started within 48 hours of first symptoms) and should only be used as a last resort and under medical supervision, use of antivirals could one day lead to antiviral resistance in the same way antibiotics have lead to antibiotic resistance. They are also insanely expensive (over $100 for a 5 day course), they are not on the PBS.

Other at home treatments include:

Immune system bolstering supplements such as:

Echinacea

Zinc

Vitamin C

Staying hydrated

Rest

Medications (see the section below, I will go into depth on different medications, the pros and the cons)

Over the counter pain relief: Acetaminophen (Paracetamol in Australia, brand name panadol) or Ibuprofen (brand name: nurofen)

Aspirin has also been used but is not a preferred choice due to it having higher risks than ibuprofen or paracetamol and not being anymore effective

Immune bolstering supplements and medications

Echinacea, Zinc and Vitamin C

I have a particular fascination with Echinacea which has been shown to boost the immune system by increasing your white blood cell count (the blood cells that fight infection) and it also contains antiviral chemicals. Echinacea looks like it could be quite useful in light of antibiotic resistance and potential future antiviral resistance because it’s main mechanism is to strengthen and use the body’s natural defence systems to fight off infection. Having said this it may be natural but it isn’t as potent as other (more direct) antibiotics/antivirals, it also isn’t necessarily any safer. The poison is in the dosage (and interactions).  Zinc and Vitamin C have also been shown to assist the immune system.  Please talk to a doctor before using these as other medications can interact with them. These can be bought in tablet form from most pharmacies and supermarkets.

Pain relief

The best pain relief for the flu/cold is ibuprofen or paracetamol/acetaminophen. paracetamol is also effective for fevers that often accompany the flu. In the past opiates/opioids have been used for pain relief as well (most notably, codeine), however while effective these were found to be a risky option. Most notably because of the risk of misuse, dependance and addiction.

Other medications

Decongestants:

Decongestants are drugs which clear congestion (e.g. a stuffy, blocked nose. The opposite to congestion would include a runny nose).

The most well known decongestant is pseudoephedrine (most pharmacies require photo ID to purchase this and many preparations come with paracetamol, so make sure you don't double up) I’ve found this to be very effective. The other one that I’ve found to work amazingly is Xylometazoline (brand name: Otrivin) which comes as a nasal spray. Just be warned, Otrivin can result in rebound congestion if used long term. Make sure you see a doctor before using any new medications! Also, these are both stimulants and have the potential to affect your heart rate and blood pressure.

Decongestants won't really help unless you are congested.

Antihistamines:

Antihistamines are usually used for mild allergic reactions, however, they also help with a runny nose or tearing up.  These include:

Doxylamine Succinate (Restavit)

Promethazine (Phenergan)

Benadryl (this only comes as a liquid in Australia)

Expectorants:

Expectorants are drugs which help you expel mucous. You usually won’t need expectorants and cough suppressants together.

The easiest to access and most well known of the expectorants (at least in my experience) is Guaifenesin.

Cough suppressants:

These are best for dry coughs that do not produce mucuous. From my own experience there are 2 especially useful suppressants that stick out to me.

Dextromethorphan (DXM - Brand: Robitussin) - is a dissociative drug, which, in lower doses can be used to interfere with the brain’s signals to cough. If you are on any sort of psychiatric medication (especially antidepressants/SSRIs/SNRIs) talk to the pharmacist and/or the doctor first as it has been known to cause seizures in people taking medications acting on serotonin.

Dihydrocodeine (Rikodeine) - is an opioid cough suppressant, therefore, it has the potential to be addictive if used in higher doses or for longer than needed. Again, discuss this with a trained medical professional. Rikodeine also has sorbitol in it so if you do decide to overuse it, it can cause gastric distress (such as diarrhoea).