What
would one do when afflicted by Cough ? ~ most people resort to Over the counter
(OTC) drugs, which mostly makes people feel drowsy and sleepy. There are suppressants, expectorants, and some ointments even. The strong-smelling
vapours may ease the cough and open up
stuffy head. There are lozenges,
compressed tablets and vaporizers too.
It's
the news no one suffering from a terrible winter cold wants to hear – but cough
medicines are virtually useless, scientists claim, reports Daily Mail ~ and
here is it reproduced.
Nothing you can buy over the counter will ward off a hacking and
persistent cough, a review of the evidence has found. Pharmacy cough medicines
work little better than a placebo, while other remedies such as echinacea,
vitamin C and zinc are not likely to help either. A review of studies on cough
medicine found that in 15 of 19 cases, it either had no benefit or the results
were conflicting. Researchers from the American Chemical Society said that, at
best, all the expectorants and cough suppressants lining pharmacy shelves can
offer is a good night’s sleep from drowsiness.
Pharmacy cough medicines work little better than a placebo, while
other remedies such as echinacea, vitamin C and zinc are not likely to help
either. Only cough drops were proven to
work, although boiled sweets would have the same throat-soothing effect, the
experts said. Honey and lemon has also been found to help children with a
cough, but it should only be given from the age of one.
In a video published online, the researchers said: ‘There is
very little evidence that cough syrup is effective at treating coughs and
carefully proofed clinical trials show that these medications are generally no
better than placebo.’ The cough, cold and sore throat medicines market in
Britain is worth more than £400million a year. Active ingredients include
dextromethorphan (DXM), which blocks the cough reflex but can also make you very
drowsy. Both Boots’ Dry Cough and Congestion Relief and Covonia’s
Original Bronchial Balsam contain DXM. Also available are expectorants such as
guaifenesin – used in Benylin Mucus Cough Plus Decongestant Syrup – which are
said to loosen mucus in the chest. However, a respected Cochrane Review from
2014 also found ‘no good evidence for or against’ the use of over-the-counter
cough syrups.
John Smith, chief executive of the Proprietary Association of
Great Britain, which represents over-the-counter medicine manufacturers, said
it was difficult to test the efficacy of ingredients because of the different
types of cough. He added:
‘It’s important to remember that cough medicines will not “cure” a cough. ‘If
used in accordance with the instructions ... then cough medicines are a safe
way to help relieve the symptoms of a cough.’
Call it ‘middle class mentality’ –
many of us feel greatly relieved buying a bottle of expectorant / tonic and
taking a teaspoon in the night.
Miraculous cure is what we expect !!
the taste of Ferradol, taken in younger days lingers. It was marketed
well as good to health containing calcium and zinc as supplement against - Iron-deficiency anemia, and various salts or
complexes of iron are used as haematinics.
In 1990s in Kakinada, there were so many Medical representatives
known. On a particular day, this
representative was speaking about ‘middle class mentality’ of mother going to
Doctors seeking the Dr. to prescribe Ferradol or some other costly iron tonics – paying the Dr fatly and feeling
happy. He took a bottle of tonic, drank it in one gulp and continued – whole
bottle would do nothing, while people believe that 1 tsp a day would do wonders
to their health.
Regards – S. Sampathkumar
12th Jan 2017.
