A pharmacist has shared the essential medicines to have in your cabinet before January to help manage winter cold and flu symptoms
While December brings festive cheer and celebration, the colder months usher in various ailments, with sniffles, coughs, and flu making their annual appearance. If you’re concerned about entering January feeling poorly, there are straightforward measures you can implement to get ready.
A pharmacist has advised people to purchase essential remedies in advance to stay one step ahead, encouraging everyone to acquire several winter necessities. He explains that being well-prepared enables you to address symptoms promptly and prevent needless visits to your GP, making this health guidance particularly valuable.
Pharmacists recommend that the most effective approach to surviving winter is preparing before the cold and flu season truly takes hold. Maintaining a well-stocked medicine cupboard allows you to combat symptoms swiftly, without frantically hunting for supplies once you’re already feeling poorly.
“Preparation really is half the battle,” said Pharmacist Frederick Apenteng from Roseway Labs. “Once you’re unwell, you don’t want to be searching for paracetamol or trying to find a thermometer. That’s when people end up feeling worse.”
What you require
According to Frederick, you must begin with the fundamentals. Paracetamol or ibuprofen for discomfort, fever, and muscular pain, reports the Mirror.
Include throat lozenges or sprays for painful throats and stock two cough medicines. One expectorant for productive coughs and one suppressant for dry, irritating ones.
A decongestant proves useful for stuffy noses, though avoid using it beyond five days. A saline nasal spray can safely ease congestion over extended periods. Additional essentials comprise rehydration sachets, tissues, hand sanitiser, and honey with lemon for soothing relief.
A digital thermometer assists in monitoring fever, while vapour rub or a humidifier can ease breathing difficulties when you’re bunged up. Frederick also emphasises that a well-balanced diet forms the cornerstone of robust immunity.
“People often get run down because of nutrient gaps,” he explained. “Iron, B vitamins and vitamin C all play vital roles in keeping your immune defences strong.” Nutrient-dense foods such as leafy greens, citrus fruits and whole grains can genuinely make a substantial impact.
“The real immunity boosters are sleep, good nutrition and hydration,” Frederick continued. A spot of preparation now prevents panic later.
“Having your winter kit ready means you can act fast at the first sneeze,” Frederick noted. “This helps prevent symptoms from worsening, and keeps you away from the GP waiting room.”
In essence, when people feel under the weather, it’s advisable they stock up and rest early to navigate the season like seasoned veterans.
Avoid excessive product use
When battling a cold or flu, it’s crucial to understand that certain products must never be overused. Excessive use of cold and flu treatments can occasionally result in severe health complications, including accidental overdose, liver or kidney damage and rebound congestion.
It’s essential to always adhere to the dosage and duration guidelines on the packaging and seek advice from a healthcare professional if you have any queries. For individuals dealing with colds, it’s important to be aware that using decongestant nasal sprays for more than a few days can result in a “rebound effect”.
This can actually cause your nasal passages to become more inflamed and blocked than they were originally. This condition is also referred to as rhinitis medicamentosa.
