Your Cold Remedies

[hog&bodge]

I can't remember the last time I had a cold, let alone a dose of the sniffles like Brad had recently :lol:

You obviously don't have small children or travel on the tube then. It's got to the point where I think I should do an MJ and wear a mask on the tube

Do not for get the M/j glove to wipe your nose....
We should ask a Dr as they never seem to catch a cold
from the endless time wasters going to see them
over a cold... :lol:
I just take plenty of fluids and painkillers...

 

[Smudger]

So when I go to the doctor tomorrow (2nd time) to discuss why the antibiotics didn't work I'll be a timewaster?

Cheers.

 

[newt]

You have to raise your body temp to kill the virus, but if it goes to high that will kill you.

I would like to see some references for that, as I was always taught that the increase in body temperature was due to the increase in activity of antibodies (pryogens I think), so the rise in temperature is due to the activity of killing off the virus, not the other way around.

Yes I agree the body temp is raised by the process you describe but as I understand, keeping the temp down can slow the process, which is why I cannot see the benefit of cold showers, other than symptom relief. Many years ago my wife had a dangerously elevated temp and the doc put here in a cool bath, he said better to delay the flue clearing up than dying. Of course he could have been completely wrong. I am sure I have either been told or read that the over use of antipyretics (paracetamol) whilst reducing symptoms particularly temp could slow the process, as no one fully understands how they work. Interesting

 

[Smudger]

I don't think the doctor is wrong - that is what you are supposed to do with children when their temperature gets too high (105º I think) - which leads to febrile fitting, and then to brain damage. Ice water baths are recommended to bring the core temperature down.

 

[TrimTheKing]

I don't think the doctor is wrong - that is what you are supposed to do with children when their temperature gets too high (105º I think) - which leads to febrile fitting, and then to brain damage. Ice water baths are recommended to bring the core temperature down.

Isn't that because little ones can't regulate their own core temp? Us adults can withstand much higher internal temps before pegging out!

 

[Smudger]

Adults die of heatstroke, I believe it causes major organ damage and other problems.

Quote from medical wiki:

A temperature above 104° F (40° C) is the definition of heat illness, aka hyperthermia. If someone has a fever or body temperature above 103° (39.5°), they should be cooled with wet cloths or placed in a cool (not cold) bath; and given plenty of fresh, non-caffeinated and non-carbonated liquids, such as plain water.

Hospitalization is strongly recommended; contact your local emergency services provider ASAP. Never administer alcohol, either internally or externally; alcohol consumption and alcohol rubs both lead to dehydration, worsening an already critical situation.

 

[head clansman]

hi smudger

If you use the Lemsip capsules they have no sugar.

does this include lem sip powders sachets with sucrose ? hc

 

[Smudger]

I'm just looking...

Sucrose counts as sugars. I have a friend who swears it doesn't, but the British Diabetic Association says there is no real difference. That's why grapes are restricted, I guess.

Doesn't say how much sucrose, but given the size of a Lemsip dose it can't be much, probably less sugars in total than a slice of Hovis.
I've taken a few recently (capsules don't really help a sore throat) and didn't notice any effect on my blood glucose. I think the paracetamol is more problematic.

BTW - if you have a Tesco near you, go and get some Frank's Diabetic Ice Cream. Absolutely ace, unlike most 'diabetic' products!

 

[wizer]

I thought 'normal' temperature was around 37c. So just a few degrees above this is dangerous?

 

[Smudger]

I thought 'normal' temperature was around 37c. So just a few degrees above this is dangerous?

Apparently.

 

[Smudger]

It seems that 40ºC can be fatal, in adults.

 

[head clansman]

hi

thanks smudger , hmm the ice cream sound nice , i'll try that , i like morrison diabetic jam though, really good .hc

 

[Smudger]

I haven't tried that - I will now!

Jam and ice-cream are the hardest things to do without!

 

[hog&bodge]

So when I go to the doctor tomorrow (2nd time) to discuss why the antibiotics didn't work I'll be a timewaster?

Cheers.

No as you have already stated you have a low immune system, of which
I have the misfortune to have as well..
Secondary infections from colds and flu is always a problem.
But even you must admit there is far to much wasted on the common
cold..
No offense was meant.
alex

 

[Dave S]

Ginger tea.

Dave

 

[Ironballs]

When I had my last bout of flu and was talking in tongues Mrs IB rang NHS Direct for advice, they told her to get my temperature down sharpish and keep feeding me fluids with sugar and salt.

What she didn't tell me until I was better was that if my temp went up another 0.1/0.2 of a degree she was supposed to take me into hozza due to risk of stroke and organ damage

Oh and those face masks are a waste of time, was reading an interview with an anaesthetist who hadn't worn a mask for years. Apparently the masks get saturated with water particles/germs etc within a few minutes and after that anything goes

 

[frugal]

If you use the Lemsip capsules they have no sugar.

does this include lemsip powders sachets with sucrose ? hc

Lemsip is just Paracetamol and a decongestant (the max strength one has some caffine added). you are just as well off taking a couple of paracetamol and sniff of something like Otravine, maybe followed by a coffee.

 

[frugal]

Oh and those face masks are a waste of time, was reading an interview with an anaesthetist who hadn't worn a mask for years. Apparently the masks get saturated with water particles/germs etc within a few minutes and after that anything goes

I always assumed that the masks were more to do with coughing and other splatter than stopping germs. Have a look at this for a great explanation of relative size of objects. The only thing that the masks do is stop the liquid that is carrying the bacteria.

 

[studders]

So when I go to the doctor tomorrow (2nd time) to discuss why the antibiotics didn't work I'll be a timewaster?

Cheers.

Nope. Last cold I had went on for weeks. I was as miserable as sin with it.

 

[Smudger]

I thought I was getting better this morning...

Nope. It's getting silly. And presumably as the antibiotics had no effect it's viral, and I've just got to wait it out. What's annoying is that we've had to cancel two trips to France because of it.