Everyday Complaints--Continue

Cough

Simply a protective reflex to clear the airways, a cough is usually the result of irritation, an allergy or on infection such as a cold or the flu. However, a persistent could indicate a more serious condition, such as asthma, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, damage from smoking and, rarely, lung cancer, tuberculosis, congestive heart failure or AIDS.

Medications
Treatment depends on the cause and type of cough. Consult your doctor about any cough that persists for two to three days without any obvious cause.

• If a cough from a cold is bringing up mucus, don't take a suppressant; an expectorant (Logicin Expectorant) will help loosen the phlegm.
• For a dry, hacking cough, try a cough suppressant containing dextromethorphan (Vicks Cough Syrup).

Self-help strategies

• To help control coughing caused by postnasal drip or irritation, suck on a hard lolly or cough drop.
• Avoid irritants, especially tobacco smoke.
• Drink plenty of water to thin sections; in milder cases, it reduces coughing as effectively as medicines.
• Use a vaporiser or humidifier, especially at night.

Duration of treatment
A cough usually subsides on its own.

When to call the doctor
If a cough is severe, or is accompanied by such symptoms as chest pain, green or yellow phlegm, coughed-up blood or difficulty breathing.
If a cough from a cold or the flu isn't gone in three weeks.

Diarrhoea

The common type of diarrhoea is characterised by unformed, watery stools and frequent bowel movements. It's often accompanied by intestinal gas, cramping and nausea.

Medications

• Diarrhoea actually helps rid your body of the irritants or infectious agenst causing the upset, so wait several hours before taking medication.
• Nonprescription products for simple diarrhoea contain loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol). Diphenoxylate hydrochloride (Lomotil) is another effective drug.

Self-help strategies

• To prevent dehydration, drink as much clear liquid--water, clear broth--as your stomach will tolerate.
• For severe diarrhoea (defined as more than 10 watery bowel movements in 24 hours), drink an oral rehydration solution (1/2 teaspoon salt and 4 teaspoons sugar in a litre of water) or Hydralate to replace needed electrolytes.
• Do not eat until you feel better, then consume only rice or rice cereal, clear liquids or flavoured gelatine.

Duration of treatment
Most diarrhoea is short-lived.

When to call the doctor

• If you suspect diarrhoea is caused by a medicaton.
• If diarrhoea lasts more than 48 hours (24 hours in a child under age 2) or is accompanied by severe abdominal cramping, fever, dizziness or blood or pus in the stool.
• If you have frequent bouts of diarrhoea.

Fever

You're considered to have a fever if your body temperature is 37.8 degrees C or above. You may feel cold at firs, then hot, then cold again, as your body stives to fight off infection or heal an injury.

Medications

• Fever is an effective immune system response to infection, so don't try to quell it too soon. If your fever is mild and no other problems exist, just drink fluids and rest.
• If your temperature goes above 39 degrees C, a nonprescription painkiller can help relieve recurrent chills and lower your body temperature.

Self-help strategies

• If you're shivering, don't bundle up--that will only cause the fever to go up.
• If you have a fever of over 39.5 degrees c, soak in a tub of tepid water to help bring it down.
• Drink lots of fluids; rest and sleep as much as possible.

Duration of treatment
Most fevers go away in just a few days.

When to call the doctor

• If you have a temperature above 40 degrees C.
• If your fever lasts more than 48 hours or is recurrent.
• If an infant younger than 6 months has fever; or if a child under 1 year has a fever that lasts more than 24 hours.
• If a temperature of 39.5 degrees C or higher does not respond to home treatment within 2 hours.

Haemorrhoids

Also known as piles, haemorrhoids are swollen veins either inside the rectum or just outside the anus that can cause discomfort or minor bleeding during a bowel movement.

Medications

• To help ease irritation and itching, you can use petroleum jelly, zinc oxide paste, haemorrhoids creams that contain lignocaine, hydrocortisone preparations or cotton pads soaked with witch hazel.
• Nonprescription suppositories may help ease discomfort, but should not be used repeatedly.
• Unless your doctor prescribes laxatives, don't take them. They may cause diarrhoea and further irritation.

Self-help strategies

• Use an ice pack, or sit in a warm-water bath two or three times a day to relieve itching and discomfort.
• If an internal haemorrhoid protrudes, push it gently back into the anal canal. You can do this while taking a shower. 
• Keep an anal area clean using moist, soft toilet paper or premoistened wipes.
• Avoid constipation: drink plenty of water, gradually increase fibre in your diet and exercise every day.

Duration of treatment
A combination of medication and self-help measures usually relieves haemorrhoids in just a few days.

When to call the doctor

• The first time you notice bleeding and suspect that you have a haemorrhoid.
• If bleeding from a haemorrhoid continues for more than a week or if bleeding is occurring between bowel movements.
• If there is constant pain or persistent bleeding.

Headache
The garden-variety tension headache--usually a dull, steady pain in the forehead, temples, back of the neck or throughout the head--is caused by muscle contraction.
(For other types of headache, see on previous)

Medications

• Nonprescription painkillers (aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol) usually provide relief. If one type doesn't work, when it's time to take another pill, try a different kind.

Self-help strategies

• You can prevent headaches by reducing stress and tension: take frequent breaks from desk and computer work, practise relaxation techniques, exercise regularly and seek emotional support.
• Once you have a headache, lie down and rest, Or sit quietly with your eyes closed, breathing deeply.
• Gently massage the muscles of your shoulders, neck and head.

Duration of treatment
Most tension headaches clear up quickly, although some can last for days at a time.

When to call the doctor

• If you have frequent or long-lasting headaches.
• If a severe headache comes on very quickly.
• If a headache occurs after strenuous exercise, which  might possibly indicate an internal head injury.
• If headache is accompanied by dizziness, inflamed sinuses, fever and neck stiffness, slurred speech or confusion or symptoms of depression.