| Cough & Cold Medicines and Decongestants: What Do Thyroid Patients Need to Know? | |
by Mary J. Shomon
|
The reason for these warnings are two ingredients, the stimulant pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in Sudafed and many other cold and allergy medicines, as well as phenylpropanolamine, which the FDA is likely to ban entirely soon. These products can be dangerous to people with active hyperthyroidism, as they can add strain to an already taxed heart and high blood pressure found in hyperthyroidism.
What about people with hypothyroidism? Can you take these types of medicines? This is something that needs to be decided, but generally, it is not recommended that people with thyroid problems take any products with pseudoephedrine, or natural ephedra, a frequent ingredient in natural weight loss, energy and cold remedies. There are anecdotal reports of people with thyroid disease becoming extra-sensitive to stimulants like caffeine, pseudoephedrine or ephedra.
As far as over-the-counter medicines, you might want to ask your doctor about using a product like the new Coricidin HBP, a cold remedy made specially without phenylpropanolamine. For more information, see: http://www.coricidinhbp.com/index04.html. You can also ask consider trying some of the natural suggestions described later in this article.
Alternatives, Vitamins and Supplements for Cold and Flu?
There are a number of alternative remedies that you can try to help with cold and flu.
Noted alternative practitioner Andrew Weil suggests daily doses of vitamin C, garlic, echinacea and the herb astragalus, to help boost the immune system during flu season.
Italian researchers also found that ginseng, when given throughout the season to people who had flu shots, reduced the cases of flu, and raised the activity rate of immune cells that fight infections.
When you're in the midst of the flu, besides plenty of rest, fluids, and good nutrition, there are some additional alternative medicine approaches that some experts recommend.
The most often recommended treatment is a natural product known as Sambucol, which is Elderberry Extract. Dr. Weil suggests that Sambucol may be similar to the prescription flu medication Relenza. Alternative Medicine magazine also recommends elderberry extract, and according to some research conducted in Italy, patients with early signs of the flu took 4 tablespoons of black elderberry extract per day. Within 24 hours, fever, cough, and muscle pain were significantly reduced in 20% of the patients. After the second day, 70% reported feeling better, and after 3 days, 90% claimed a complete cure from all flu symptoms. Elderberry apparently works by strengthening the cell membrane so a virus cannot penetrate it. It also appears to inhibit the enzyme that viruses use to weaken the membrane. Sambucol is available in health food stores.
Other natural remedies for flu include:
- Vitamin C -- Some experts believe that as much as 1 to 6 grams of Vitamin C per day may help reduce the duration of a flu virus. The suggested dosage would be 1000 mg every 2 hours, unless diarrhea or gas occurs.
- Zinc Lozenges -- The over-the-counter zinc lozenges can help reduce the effects of a flu or cold.
- Zicam Nasal Spray -- This homeopathic nasal spray may reduce the duration of colds and flu.
- Oscillicoccinum -- This homeopathic treatment has been found effective in fighting the flu, particularly when taken right away after the onset of symptoms.
- Vitamin A -- Some experts recommend 25,000 IU four times daily for at least three but not more than five days, provided you weigh at least 120 pounds and do not have a liver problem, during the acute phase of flu or colds.
- Garlic - garlic has natural antibiotic effects, and some experts suggest ten capsules a day of a high allicin content garlic in the first six hours of cold symptoms.
- Echinacea - take the maximum recommended dose when symptoms are acute
- Olive Leaf Extract -- Can help combat flus and viruses
- Camu-camu - The Amazonian rainforest fruit, can help combat viruses
| Contact Mary Shomon by Phone! |
YOU CAN STAY INFORMED ON THE LATEST THYROID DISEASE INFORMATION
Whether it's a free email newsletter or report about thyroid disease, the latest books that help you live well with your thyroid condition, or support and information from fellow thyroid patients, you'll find a variety of resources here at the About Thyroid site.
- Thyroid F.Y.I. My Weekly "About Thyroid Disease" Newsletter covers new developments in the world of thyroid disease, with free updates on new features and new information here at the website. It's the best way to keep up with the About thyroid site. Subscribe at the About Thyroid
Site Newsletter Signup page or right here,
- About.com Thyroid Bookstore -- Books that will help you live well with and triumph over thyroid disease.
- Free Monthly Thyroid Disease News Report -- Free monthly report reporting on latest information on thyroid disease, as well as conventional and alternative domestic and world news related to thyroid disease.
- Thyroid Forums -- Places for Support, Empowerment, and Information. The boards include:
- General Thyroid Support and Info
- Graves' Disease/Hyperthyroidism
- Thyroid & Infertility, Pregnancy and Menopause
- Thyroid Related Diet, Weight Loss and Nutrition
- Thyroid Top Doctors
- Alternative Medicine for Thyroid Disease
- Spanish Language Thyroid Questions
Here are some of the latest discussions at the main Thyroid Disease Forum/Bulletin Board. Jump into the conversations now!
