In today's fast paced society, missing work or school because of an illness is a luxury few of us can afford. The onset of sniffling, sneezing, and coughing has us heading for the medicine cabinet, looking for fast relief. The same medications that bring such wonderful relief from cold and flu symptoms may also be hindering your body's ability to deal with the illness in its own way, and may be prolonging your suffering.

One of the first signs of an influenza attack is a fever. Fever is the body's natural defense against viruses; the increase in the body's internal temperature creates an environment that is too warm for a virus to thrive. Fever in and of itself is harmless, unless the temperature goes above 104 degrees Fahrenheit and remains that high for an extended period. By taking a fever reducing medication, you're inadvertently creating optimum conditions for the flu virus to continue to multiply. Fevers aren't pleasant to experience, but they do serve a valuable function.

A cough is a common symptom with both colds and flu. As irritating as it is, a cough also serves a valuable function during these illnesses. One of the byproducts of either one of these conditions is a large increase in mucous production. This excess mucous drains into the lungs and stomach, causing nausea and coughing. Coughing is the body's way of removing the mucous from the lungs. A cough suppressant stops the urge to cough, but does nothing to stop the drainage of mucous into the lungs, leading to an unpleasant build up. Taking a cough suppressant at night may lead to a restful sleep, but in the morning you'll be rewarded with a chest tight with a thick mucous build up, leading to an extended bout of early morning dry coughing. Instead of using a cough suppressant, which usually contains Dextromethorphan), try an expectorant containing Guaifenesin. This loosens up the congestion, allowing you to cough it up. Any time you have a dry, hacking cough that is non-productive, use an expectorant.

Runny noses are another bane of cold sufferers. Once again, they too serve a purpose. This sudden increase of nasal secretions is the body's method of flushing out the nasal and sinus cavities. Nasal secretions routinely transfer cold and flu viruses, but stopping the runny nose isn't the answer. Your body is getting rid of the virus in this manner, by using an antihistamine to stop the flow, you're preventing your body from naturally ridding itself of the virus.

Nasal and chest congestion are usually treated with decongestants. Because you want any secretions to be as thin as possible, a decongestant is a good choice when you're stuffed up. Many people make the mistake of taking a decongestant to relieve a stuffy nose or tight chest, then taking an antihistamine to stop the flow of the newly loosened secretions. It's counterproductive to take one medication to relieve one condition, then another to relieve the symptoms THAT brings about. Take the decongestant, and try to tolerate the nose blowing and coughing those results.

Nasal sprays are commonly used to deal with nasal congestion, also. The over use of these can lead to a vicious circle of side effects. A spray contains elements that shrink nasal swelling temporarily. However, when the spray wears off, the swelling returns, usually worse, leading to more use of the spray. A better choice is a simple saline spray, which loosens secretions just as well, and doesn't lead to a reactive swelling.

The average length of a cold used to be five to seven days. Now, it's ten days. The ready availability of cold symptom relief has coincided with a lengthening of the life a cold, not a reduction, as would be expected. Instead of using medication in an attempt to completely stop all cold and flue symptoms, use them judiciously in a manner that gives a measure of relief but still allows your body to use it's own remedies to cure the illness.

Use an expectorant cough syrup to keep your cough productive. Decongestants will keep secretions from thickening and causing a stuffy nose. Let a fever run its course, if at all possible. Use antihistamines only if you have an itchy nose or throat and frequent sneezing. Take a cough suppressant ONLY if the coughing is so severe that you can't sleep or function during the day. A saline spray is a good choice to relieve nasal congestion and dryness. In short, take as few medications as possible, and allow your body to do its job.