Ammo to beat festive lurgies
BUGS and lurgies are in the air as much as cheery season’s greetings at this time of year.
To prepare for common ailments during the festivities, it is a good idea to stock up your medicine cabinet.
Here is a list of the essentials by Netdoctor’s pharmacists. 1. COLD AND FLU REMEDIES
There is no cure for a cold or flu but there are medicines to relieve the symptoms. Many are a combination of a painkiller and a decongestant, for example, Lemsip and Beechams.
Both contain paracetamol and phenylephrine.
Always read the label for the active ingredients in a cold and flu products. If you are taking more than one medication, check that they don’t contain the same active ingredient.
Ask your pharmacist to recommend one that would be most suitable for you.
Steam inhalation is one of the best ways to help relieve the symptoms of a stuffy nose.
Keep a bottle of Olbas oil in the cabinet. Add a few drops to a bowl of hot water and lean over it with a towel over your head.
Inhale the steam for a few minutes to help clear the mucus from the nose. 2. COUGH REMEDIES
Keep a bottle of cough syrup that is suitable for either dry or chesty coughs. Try Unicough oral solution or Bronchostop syrup. 3. DIARRHOEA REMEDIES
Stock anti-diarrhoea capsules containing loperamide, such as Imodium. Also rehydration sachets such as Dioralyte – to replenish lost salts and sugars. 4. INDIGESTION REMEDIES
Your medicine cabinet should hold some antacid tablets or liquid to help relieve the symptoms of i ndigestion, heartburn and trapped wind.
If heartburn is not relieved by an antacid medicine such as Gaviscon or Rennie, then ask ASK your pharmacist if you are unsure about which is the best product for your needs and if you need any advice on symptoms. IF you are already taking other medication, check first with your pharmacist to make sure the medicines are right for you. DON’T take medicines past their use-by date . Return them to your local pharmacy for safe disposal. PICK up your prescriptions in plenty of time before Christmas in case your regular pharmacy and surgery closes. For advice on common ailments see www . selfcareforum.org/fact-sheets. your pharmacist for a medicine to help reduce the acid produced in the stomach, such as Zantac 75 tablets or Nexium Control. 5. PAINKILLERS
Aspirin and ibuprofen work well for pain that is associated with swelling and inflammation of muscles or joints, whereas paracetamol works better for reducing fever. Keep soluble aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen. Gargling with soluble aspirin can take away the sting of a sore throat. 6. HANGOVER REMEDIES
Soluble paracetamol is a good choice to treat the headache associated with hangover. Taking a herbal remedy containing milk thistle and an effervescent vitamin supplement such as Berocca can help, as can rehydration sachets. 7. A FIRST AID KIT
Keep a well-prepared first aid kit just in case you need to treat minor cuts, sprains or bruises.
Things to have in this kit include plasters, small bandages, a thermometer, antiseptic cream and wipes.