Cold, flu suffers strike back with the ‘medicinal bombs’

By NATASHA McBROOM
Collegian Staff Writer

Tissues. Check. Orange juice. Check. Chicken noodle soup. Check.

It's cold and flu season, and you're prepared to go to war against whatever virus may be invading. All you need now is your secret weapon, the medicinal version of The Bomb.

But with many different brands and options of over-the-counter cold medications available, choosing what variety to attack with can be difficult.

Certain medicines target single symptoms, while others are advertised as multi-symptom relievers. Because multi-symptom medicines perhaps try to treat too many problems, pharmacists recommend treating specific symptoms one at a time.

"It's better to take medicine for single symptoms instead of multi-symptom medicine because it's possible to run into side effects if you treat all the different symptoms together," said Gary Mulligan, pharmacist at McLanahan's Drug Store, 116 W. College Ave.

Bob Ray, University Health Services chief pharmacist, agrees multi-symptom medicines can have unwanted outcomes.

"If you choose multi-symptom medicine, only take (it) for a short period of time because it can sometimes mask bacterial infections," he said.

If signs of a bacterial infection, such as meningitis, are being hidden by cold medicine, it could worsen before being detected.

To avoid confusion, a better solution might be not to take cold medicine at all, said Dr. Shari Nethersole, advice doctor on the Family Education World Wide Web site (www.familyeducation.com).

"When large studies were done, they showed none of the cold medicines to actually help," Nethersole said on the site.

Because cold medicines may not always be effective, a more natural approach to preventing and curing colds could be a better option. Some natural remedies are intended to control one symptom, while others are intended to strengthen general health.

There are many natural ways to treat colds, said Ann Marie Wishard, owner of Sweet Annie Herbs Inc, 223 S. Allen St. Methods include propolis, tea tree oil and grape seed abstract.

Propolis is a natural anti-viral antibiotic that is anti-inflammatory. Tea tree oil helps cold sufferers breathe easier. One suggestion Wishard made was to put a few drops of tea tree oil on the floor of your shower. The steam, coupled with the oil, can reduce congestion, she said.

Of all the natural remedies one of Wishard's favorites is grape seed abstract.

"Grape seed abstract is a wonderful natural antihistamine and antioxidant," she said.

Other natural remedies, such as echinacea, vitamin C and goldenseal, can be used to strengthen the immune system, she said.

Wishard added since she has taken these natural remedies, she doesn't get sick as often as people who rely on the commercial medications.