Self-treating a cold

Is there anything commoner than the common cold? Perhaps not, but it can still be extremely inconvenient and many seek out non-prescription cold medications to alleviate their symptoms.

These treatments may seem harmless, but care should be taken nonetheless. Drugs like Dolirhume® or even Actifed® contain pseudoephedrine, a vasoconstrictor that can increase the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. The cardiological and neurological side effects are rare but all too real, leading consumer-protection associations to start to judge the risk-benefit ratio of these drugs as generally unfavourable.
So if you have a cold, time is the only cure! Keep warm and put the kettle on, a thyme infusion is particularly effective, and your cold will clear up all by itself in a few days.