We all know that feeling… the tickle in your throat that accompanies the first cough of your cold. More than 30 million people pay a visit to their healthcare provider every year due to coughs and colds, so finding an over-the-counter remedy to your cough is ideal.
How do you know which over-the-counter cough medicine is ideal for subduing your specific symptoms? It’s always best to consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist regarding which medicine to choose, as they’ll ensure you are addressing all of your symptoms – while not interfering with other medications you may be taking for other health conditions.
Typically, you don’t want to completely suppress your cough. Your cough is the catalyst that expels germs from your lungs and windpipe, eliminating mucus that can keep you under the weather for a longer period of time. Irritants, asthma, and acid reflux are other reasons why you may need cough suppressants.
What Should I Look for in Cough Medicine?
If you’ve ever stood in the medicine aisle for what seemed like an eternity, it’s time to learn what separates the different types of over-the-counter (nonprescription) cough medicines.
Do you have a dry, lingering cough, courtesy of that cold you contracted about a month ago? If so, it’s time for a regular cough suppressant or antitussive. The main active ingredient in this type of medicine is dextromethorphan, or DM, which is always listed on the label. Popular choices are Triaminic Cold and Cough, Vicks 44 Cough, and Robitussin Cough.
People often talk about having a “productive” cough when you have a cold, meaning that you’re expelling phlegm in cough and getting it out of your lungs. This wet type of cough comes from your chest and only succumbs to an expectorant. These medicines are made with an active ingredient called guaifenesin – which loosens and thins mucus in order to open passageways in the respiratory system. Over-the-counter chest-congestion remedies include Mucinex and Robitussin. In addition to helping you get better sleep while you’re sick, they’ll stop you from coughing as much when laughing, chewing, or talking.
If you’re suffering from a combination of fever, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion, you may need a combination medication. Nyquil and Dayquil are touted for simultaneously quelling aches and pains while also soothing cold and flu symptoms, such as that pesky cough. Just be careful not to combine these medicines with pain relievers, as they already contain medicine for pain alleviation and fever reduction.
Urgent Care Clinic in Rochester, NY
If you’re fighting a nasty cough, head over to Cornerstone Urgent Care Center today. Our family-friendly facility is here for all of your wellness needs – from colds to flu shots to minor injuries and beyond.
We are open every day of the year, including holidays, because we know that illnesses and injuries don’t take a vacation. We are privately owned, so we do not have to answer to big-group medical practices that can stifle speed and flexibility in the treatment of patients.
We are conveniently located at the intersection of Chili Avenue and Chestnut Ridge Road. For more information, call us today at (585) 207-0088 or send us a message online now. We look forward to seeing you here.
