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Dr. Mercola
February 12 2008
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Cough Medicine is Also Worthless for Adults

cough syrup, cold medicineMillions of people use over-the-counter (OTC) cough medications every year, but a new review has shown that they may not be effective.

After reviewing 25 studies of both children and adults, the researchers found that some OTC cough medicines appeared to provide benefit, while others did not. They concluded that there is no good evidence for or against their use.

One concerning point revealed in the study was that six out of the nine studies supported by the drug industry had positive results for the medications. However, out of the 16 studies that had no conflicts of interest, only three showed positive results.

In August 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised parents not to give cough and cold remedies to children under 2, and a panel of federal health advisors later said that children under 6 should not receive the medications either.

Dr. Mercola Dr. Mercola's Comments:
On the heels of the FDA’s advice to ban cough and cold medications for kids, it makes complete sense that their effectiveness for adults should also be put into question.

Although this study came up with conflicting results, they uncovered something pretty revealing: the impacts of conflict of interest.

There were nine studies that reported ties to the drug industry. Of these, six found that cough medications were beneficial. Yet, when no conflict of interest was present -- as was the case in 16 of the studies -- only three were positive.

The other interesting point brought up by one of the study’s researchers is whether or not it’s even necessary to cure a cough.

There is a common perception that if you’re coughing, sneezing or have a low-grade fever, you must take a medication to get rid of it. In reality, coughing and sneezing are tools your body uses to get rid of viruses and irritants, and fever also helps to kill bacteria and viruses.

So if you take a drug to stop these natural protections, you are actually stopping your body’s healing process -- and in the long run it will likely take you even longer to feel better.

How to Protect Yourself From Ever Getting Coughs and Colds

Underlying every cough and cold is a weakened immune system. How does your immune system become weakened? The biggest offenders are poor lifestyle choices, but even daily living can take its toll. For instance, all of the following can put your immune system “under the weather”:

1. Eating too much sugar and too many grains
2. Inadequate vitamin D stores from not getting enough sun exposure during the summer
3. Insufficient omega-3 intake and/or excessive omega-6 ingestion (mainly from vegetable oils)
4. Not getting enough rest
5. Using insufficient strategies to address emotional stressors in your life
6. Any combination of the above

Yet, many people who begin to follow the lifestyle advice recommended in my newest book Take Control of Your Health report that they stop getting coughs, colds and the flu. Why is this?

Because they are taking the steps to keep their immune system functioning at its optimal level. These include:
These are the things that will make your body nearly impervious to cold and flu viruses.

And please do not underestimate the fourth item on this list: emotional health. Studies have found that people who are overwhelmed by stress are nearly four times more likely to come down with a cold than their optimistic peers. One of the best tools I know of for keeping stress under control is the psychological acupressure technique EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).

In the event that you DO come down with a cold or flu, over-the-counter medications are likely a waste of your money. Instead, try putting a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ears. This is a safe, effective trick that works remarkably well (especially if you do it at the first sign of symptoms), and is just a fraction of the cost of highly questionable cough and cold medications.
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Community Comments ( 36 )
 		Comment on this Article
  
  
foxtroter_203
 [ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on January 24, 2008 ]
22 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Cough medicine is not worthless for all adults.  It is very good for those adults who have large shares of stock in pharmaceutical companies.  Sorry as usual--just can't get this tongue unstuck.
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Patty D
 [ Joined on 06/07 ]  [ Posted on January 24, 2008]
2 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Keep it coming foxtroter :)
Mercola
  
derketchup
 [ Joined on 01/08 ]  [ Posted on February 12, 2008]
2 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Isn't it also useful if one wants to hallucinate at the risk of one's health and sanity?  :D
  
  
New to Natural
 [ Joined on 11/07 ] [ Posted on January 25, 2008 ]
8 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Last year my husband and I discovered "Vicks Casero" cough medicine - it's honey and menthol.  Anyways, that stuff worked GREAT!  Tasted absolutely terrible, but worked great. 

Last weekend, when we were dealing with a cold, I looked everywhere for the stuff - no one carries it anymore. 

I suppose, it's no big suprise they would remove it from the market since it actually worked. 
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
shaneperrone
 [ Joined on 11/07 ]  [ Posted on January 28, 2008]
3 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola
I find most cough syrup will just make you feel good (usually from being slightly drunk) but offer no benefit, so i stick to the things that make sense, lots of garlic and onions! ;)
Mercola
  
New to Natural
 [ Joined on 11/07 ]  [ Posted on January 28, 2008]
2 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
This one actually took care of that little tickle in the back of the throat, though - it rocked!  (no interest or shares in the company, bla, bla, bla)
Mercola
  
healthfoodnut
 [ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 13, 2008]
1 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

New to natural,

Vicks Casero is not something I would ever recommend to anyone, EVER! Especially to anyone on the Mercola site.  Here are some of the wonderful ingredients of this chemical concoction; citric acid (msg),flavor (msg), high fructose corn syrup,honey flavor (msg), menthol flavor (msg), aspartame (yum!), proplyene glycol (used in antifreeze), sodium benzoate (a gasoline derative)!!!
  
  
Debb66mom26
 [ Joined on 09/07 ] [ Posted on February 12, 2008 ]
7 Points        
   
 
Novice User

It amazes me how most of the people I know will give their kids multiple cold and cough remedies, often at the first sign of a sniffle.  I was horrified when my sister-in-law was visiting with her 4 month old and gave her some Tylenol Cold, simply because she was a bit fussy and she thought the baby might be coming down with "something".  I have also had several people criticize me because I don't use cold and cough medicines or fever reducers with my kids.  My mother-in-law even asked me how I could let them suffer like that.  Well, at least I won't have to argue about the cough medicine any more.  Sometimes it is hard being "different".  Why is it that people seem to get angry because of choices you are making?  Is it that they feel somehow you are insulting their choices by rejecting those choices?  I never try to convince people of what they should or shouldn't do, but they seem to always ask me why I am doing certain things.  When I do explain, then they get angry or say that I shouldn't believe everything I read on the internet.  Just thought I'd rant a little!

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
dollarsandsense
 [ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 12, 2008]
       
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

hi Debb, I can relate to the put downs,

Here's a thought, since these "friends" and family like to pounce on you like a monkey on a cupcake, instead of imediately answering their questions about why you don't automaticly drug your kids, ask them a question "why do you ask? are you open minded to the hard work of research I've done to do all I can to protect my kids?" if not, they just have morbid curiosity and want to make themselves appear better by putting you down as such a "bad mom" no different the playgound antics from their gradeschool days. tell 'em to grow up!

  
  
mmc88121
 [ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on January 24, 2008 ]
7 Points        
   
 
Moderator User
I have tried cough medicines and have found warm chicken soup to be just as effective, if not more so.

Mary
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
EQ
 [ Joined on 03/07 ]  [ Posted on January 25, 2008]
1 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Yum.  Warms one up on a cold winter day.
Mercola
  
LuckyLindy333
 [ Joined on 05/07 ]  [ Posted on January 25, 2008]
1 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola
My whole family had the flu last week.  The first meal we all ate after being sick for 24 hours was homemade chicken soup with rice.  I don't think I ever had a better meal.  And it felt soooo good.  Linda
Mercola
  
Magnolia
 [ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 12, 2008]
3 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

Especially when it's made with love. Nothing better.
Mercola
  
subirous
 [ Joined on 09/07 ]  [ Posted on February 12, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I totaly agree. My daughter and her 3 children all got the 'flu like symptoms' last week and good ole mama made them a big pot of chicken soup. What a difference it made!
  
  
Aaltrude
 [ Joined on 04/07 ] [ Posted on January 24, 2008 ]
7 Points        
   
 
Moderator User
This doesn't surprise me. I haven't used cough medicine because I never found it to be effective. I wouldn't even consider trying it with the knowledge I have now. Honey is more useful than cough medicine.
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
The Compounder
 [ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on January 25, 2008]
2 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola
Mxx the honey 50/50 with lemon juice and you have my father's favorite cough and sore throat remedy "honey and lemon". It's no better - or worse - for relieving symptoms than the commercial products. It is, however, a lot safer, and not likely to be responsible for a drug interaction or an addiction
  
  
Katee Roux
 [ Joined on 07/07 ] [ Posted on January 25, 2008 ]
6 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
I developed a cold last week.  I did the Vitamin C regime as recommended on the website Doctor Yourself by Andrew Saul.  I was disappointed by the results at first.  I was only having Vitamin C side effects.  But i kept at it, & by the end of the first 24 hours, my symptoms were improved.  I continued the following day at a lower dose, & that night my symptoms were worse.  The third day i did only occasional Vitamin C, & added in Quercitin as recommended by a helpful girlfriend.  That third day i used a few tissues, but by the 4th you almost couldn't tell i had had a cold.  The one i had last summer (&