Differentiating A Cold From Allergies
A cold is a viral infection that affects your nose and throat, or the upper respiratory system. In order to catch a cold, you must be in contact with someone else who has oneoften times your kids, spouse, or someone else in your home. Common symptoms of a cold that dont usually apply to allergies include:
- Body aches and chills
- Fever
- Sore throat
Allergies, meanwhile, are often associated with the spring and summer, as this is when you are exposed to pollen, grass, and other common allergens . Common symptoms of allergies that dont apply to a cold include:
- Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
- Watery eyes
- Post nasal drip, or excess mucus that forms in the back of the nose and throat
As previously mentioned, you can experience a runny or congested nose with both a cold and allergies as well as a cough due to post nasal drip. Furthermore, a cold can lead you to develop pink eye, an infection or inflammation on the outer membrane of the eye and inner eyelid, which can be confused with the itchy and watery eyes you experience with allergies. In these cases, try to evaluate your other symptoms to help determine whether you have a cold or allergies. Make sure to speak to your doctor if youre still having trouble differentiating the two.
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How Long Does Tylenol Extra Strength Last Guide From Pharmacist
Fever is one of the most common disease that everyone can easily get because our bodies cannot adopt to weather changes, especially in winter, and that is the good condition helping virus enter into the bodies and causing fever. Or sometimes, suddenly you get a toothache or headache at midnight but you cannot go to the hospital or clinic, what should you do? After many researches, scientists released Tylenol Extra Strength which is a medication to treat fever and unwanted minor aches and pains. So, what is Tylenol Extra Strength? And How long does Tylenol Extra Strength last? You will find the answers after reading this article.
Acetaminophen Advantages And Warnings
You may prefer acetaminophen over NSAIDs if you have high blood pressure or stomach ulcers or bleeding. Thats because acetaminophen drugs such as Tylenol are less likely to increase your blood pressure or cause stomach pain or bleeding than NSAIDs are. However, acetaminophen may cause liver damage and liver failure, especially at high doses. It can also increase the anti-blood-clotting effect of warfarin, a blood thinner.
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What Causes Back Pain
Back pain is a common complaint, especially among adults. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, there are several potential causes of back pain.
Aging is one of the most common risk factors, as people may begin to experience back pain between the ages of 30 and 40. It is also a more prevalent issue among those who are not physically fit. Another risk factor is being overweight, which stresses the back and leads to pain. There are also hereditary factors, such as ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that can impact the spine. Back pain may also be caused by diseases such as cancer and arthritis.
Pain in the lower back is particularly common and is one of the leading reasons for people to go to the doctor or to stay home from work. Back pain can occur in acute or chronic forms. Acute pain is pain that begins suddenly and that typically lasts for six weeks or less. Chronic pain is more prolonged, such as pain lasting longer than three months. Chronic pain is less common than acute pain. It is possible for acute back pain to improve without treatment, depending on the underlying cause. You may find that taking ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin can help to reduce your back pain.
There are several potential causes of back pain, including specific problems related to certain conditions or diseases:
- Arthritis
- Tense muscles
- Seasonal allergies
What Other Information Should I Know
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about diphenhydramine.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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What Are Drug Allergies
When we talk about allergic reactions to drugs, were not talking about side effects. Side effects are the known common risks listed on the drugs labeling. Ibuprofen, for example, has the potential side effect of causing an upset stomach.
Drug allergies, in contrast, are caused by the bodys own immune system attacking a drug when it enters the body, as if the drug was a foreign invader. This sets of off a chain reaction that can lead to allergy symptoms ranging from mild to shocking.
How Should I Use This Medicine
Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the medicine’s label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. This medicine is not approved for use in children under 12 years of age.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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Managing Your Seasonal Allergies
One of the most important things someone suffering from allergies can do is to identify the triggers. While some people seem to blame one trigger, it is possible that there are actually multiple triggers. It is not uncommon for those who suffer from spring allergies to show symptoms throughout the year. Some ways to avoid triggers include:
- Shower after being outdoors.
- Monitor pollen and mold counts, which are available on TV or in the news.
- Stay inside during peak pollen counts, which is the middle of the day of the afternoon.
- Wear a filter mask when working outdoors.
- Take preventive medication.
You can take other precautions as well, such as bathing and shampooing your hair each day to completely remove the pollen from your hair and skin. You should also wash your bedding in hot soapy water at least once a week.
You may need to wear sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from pollen. Those with severe allergies might find that a facemask is helpful during times when daily pollen counts are very high. It is also important to avoid line drying your bedding or clothes outdoors if the local pollen counts are high, as pollen can settle on these items.
What Happens If I Miss A Dose
Since Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom is taken when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
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What Other Drugs Will Affect Acetaminophen And Diphenhydramine
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using acetaminophen and diphenhydramine with any other medicines, especially drugs that can cause drowsiness . Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.
Acetaminophen Linked To Allergies Docs Say Not So Fast
New research links drug to allergies, but doctors say don’t ditch the pills yet.
But many experts warn that the link the study draws between acetaminophen and allergies is not strong enough to warrant depriving your children of the pain reliever when they are in the throes of a fever.
Researchers from New Zealand looked at reports of more than 200,000 children in 31 countries to identify the possible link between acetaminophen-based pain relievers such as Tylenol in early childhood and the later development of asthma, nasal allergies and eczema in children.
They found that children who received acetaminophen-based pain relievers for fever in the first year of life were 46 percent more likely to develop asthma by age 6 or 7 compared with infants not treated with such a fever reducer.
Moreover, children who were still given acetaminophen-based painkillers by age 6 were three times as likely to have severe asthma symptoms.
But even the researchers themselves acknowledge in their report that “the association might have been confounded by other factors that determine the risk of developing childhood asthma or use of .”
Other experts strongly urge emphasis on this line in the study’s report, citing that this research does not go far enough to prove such a link.
Experts were also quick to point out that this study focused on a drug called paracetamol, which is a slightly different drug than the usual formulations of acetaminophen sold in the United States.
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How To Prevent Joint Pain During Allergy Season
There are many possible treatment options for allergies, which can keep joint and back pain at bay.
For airborne allergens, you might find relief through humidifiers, air purifiers, filters and conditioners. In addition, many people find that over-the-counter medications, prescription medications or a combination of both also offer relief.
Antihistamines are medications that help counterbalance the effects of histamine, the common substance in allergens that leads to allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy through allergy shots and anti-inflammatory nasal steroid sprays are another treatment option. These sprays work by reducing swelling and inflammation, which cuts down on mucus production. Nasal steroids work especially well when combined with antihistamines.
If joint pain occurs during allergy season, you can experiment with a variety of treatment options to find what works best for your joint pain. Over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol and Advil can work for mild pain. For acute pain, hot or cold packs might provide relief. Your doctor might recommend steroid shots, where medication directly into the joint to help reduce pain and inflammation.
Some individuals also find that physical therapy can help to strengthen muscles around the joint, which in turns strengthens the joint and improves range of motion.
Benadryl For Hives Itching And Rash
Some topical, over-the-counter Benadryl products are approved for treating hives, itchy skin, and rash. These products include:
- Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream
- Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel
- Benadryl Itch Relief Stick
Oral over-the-counter Benadryl products arent approved to treat hives, itchy skin, and rash. However, these products are sometimes used for these purposes. Theyre effective for this use, but theyre not usually a first-choice treatment because of side effects such as sleepiness.
Newer, second-generation antihistamines are usually preferred over oral Benadryl for treating these symptoms. These newer medications include:
- cetirizine
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What We Know So Far About Allergic Reactions To Covid
The FDA has issued emergency use authorization for three COVID-19 vaccines. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which has been recommended by the CDC for people age 16 and older, is 95% effective at preventing COVID-19 illness according to clinical trial results. The Moderna vaccine, which has been suggested by the CDC for people age 18 and older, is 94.1% effective.
A third vaccine, produced by Johnson & Johnson via Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, was just recently approved for an Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA. In clinical trials, this vaccine was shown to be 66% effective in preventing moderate and severe COVID-19 disease 28 days after vaccination. Overall, the vaccine was also 85% effective in preventing hospitalization and 100% effective in preventing death, 28 days after vaccination.
The CDC has since reported that between Dec. 14 and Dec. 23, 2020, there were 21 cases of anaphylaxis after the administration of a reported 1,893,360 first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine . Of these cases, 71% of these occurred within 15 minutes of vaccination.
Even though there is a risk of anaphylaxis, its still very small and the potential benefit from the COVID-19 vaccination clearly exceeds the potential for harm, says Dr. Lang. The situation is evolving, however, and well learn more as we gain more experience with these vaccines.
Acetaminophen And How It Works
You can use acetaminophen to relieve mild or moderate pain. This is usually pain from colds, sore throats, headaches, body or muscle aches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, or toothaches. You can also use it to reduce fever.
Its not fully known how acetaminophen works. It doesnt reduce swelling or inflammation. Instead, its thought that it blocks the release of certain chemicals in your brain that signal the sensation of pain.
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What Should I Avoid While Taking This Medicine
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen, and can increase certain side effects of chlorpheniramine.
This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
How To Treat A Drug Allergy
The best way to avoid drug allergies is to have an open conversation with your doctor before beginning any treatment. Also, make sure you understand the warning signs of an allergy and are aware of the consequences.
In any case, see a doctor at the first signs of a reaction. Antihistamines like diphenhydramine can help control less serious allergic reactions, such as itchy skin or hives. For more serious reactions, such as throat tightness or difficulty breathing, an injection of epinephrine might be needed.
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Aid For Your Airway Allergy
Again, due to the potential danger of airway allergies, the only over-the-counter agent that is available to you is the oral antihistamine. Another non-prescription medication that could be useful is the Asthmanephrin inhaler. This racemic epinephrine spray can temporarily open a constricted, âtightâ airway.
I cannot emphasize strongly enough that, if you have airway allergies often synonymous with asthma, your doctor or allergist should frame a program for you to follow. Use of over-the-counter medications for these disorders is ill-advised and dangerous.
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What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Acetaminophen And Diphenhydramine
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.
Stop using the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe drowsiness
- painful or difficult urination or
- liver problems –loss of appetite, stomach pain , tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice .
Common side effects may include:
- drowsiness
- dry eyes, blurred vision or
- dry mouth, nose, or throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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What Should I Tell My Health Care Provider Before I Take This Medicine
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- asthma or lung disease
- high blood pressure or heart disease
- if you often drink alcohol
- liver disease
- pain or difficulty passing urine
- prostate trouble
- ulcers or other stomach problems
- an unusual or allergic reaction to acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, other medicines foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Top 9 Natural Allergy Relief Home Remedies
According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, one in five people, or an estimated 50 million Americans, suffer from some type of allergies. The chances are high that you or someone you know deals with ongoing allergies, whether seasonal allergies, food allergies or another type, and could use allergy relief at least from time to time.
Most people who struggle to find allergy relief go to the doctor to be treated and/or are routinely given pharmaceuticals ranging from acetaminophens to antihistamines, both of which may actually further aggravate the symptoms they were given for. If you prefer not to take prescriptions to keep your symptoms under a control, what can help allergies at home?
Home remedies for allergies including symptoms like congested sinuses, headaches, and watery or itchy eyes include using frankincense essential oil, eucalyptus oil and quercetin. Below youll learn about nine amazing, all-natural home remedies for allergies that can help provide fast allergy relief.
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Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Body Aches Back And Joint Pain
If youre wondering whether seasonal allergies can cause back and joint pain, youre not alone. There are plenty of ways seasonal allergies are related to back pain and joint pain as well.
For starters, it is possible to experience joint pain with a cold. Because both allergies and a cold cause similar symptoms, such as a runny nose and sneezing, itchy eyes and throat, and stuffy nose, some people confuse a cold with allergies.
Colds are typically accompanied by a sore throat and coughing, and maybe even a fever and body aches in your neck. However, some people who suffer from inflammation because of their allergies experience joint pain as the body attempts to flush out the allergen.
Another potential link is that allergies can lead to fatigue, which can also make sore joints feel worse. Changes in weather can also lead to joint pain. This is especially true for cold and damp climates and weather-related changes that coincide with seasonal allergies.
Muscle and joint pain can be a coexisting problem resulting from arthritis, Lyme disease and certain immune disorders. It can also be linked to bursitis and osteoporosis. There are other potential causes as well.
If you experience sneezing and coughing as a result of your allergies, you may suffer from muscle, joint and neck pain due to the repeated sneezing or coughing. Seasonal allergies can also make you feel tired, which can ultimately make your symptoms worse.
