Cough Syrup 'Performed No Better Than A Placebo' [Study]

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Jan 12, 2017 08:45 AM EST

Household medicine cabinets are not being missed in stocking some good old cherry-flavored cough syrup or any cough syrup. It is specially practiced during the heights of cold and flu season.

But the important question is, are these cough syrups really gives a perfect effect? A latest video on You Tube from the American Chemical Society (ACS) provides the public about alerts from cough syrup.

In theory, antitussive medicines like Dextromethorphan which is generally pertained as DM or DXM obstruct the body's cough reflex.

Some familiar cough syrup ingredients incorporate expectorant, decongestant and antihistamine. Expectorant reduces the volume of mucus to a thinner viscosity resulting to an easier coughing. Decongestant open airways by constricting blood vessels and antihistamine reduce inflammation in the nose and throat.

All these three main ingredients of cough syrup are being depended on by consumers. However, most researches about the topic didn't discover evidence that drugs for colds really withhold or hinder coughing.

Most of the case, they functioned no better than a placebo and we all know that cough medicines are usually over-the-counter drugs. "This is one of those more-research-is-needed type situations," the video tells the public, and it was published in CNN.

The ACS recommends taking in sufficient fluids. People with cough may use a humidifier or taking a steamy shower as wells as sucking on cough drops or just a hard candy in order to attain some relief.

There are some studies that recommend drinking of honey and/or lemon juice in hot tea, or in a homemade cough syrup. These could help a lot rather than doing nothing at all.

Cough syrups are being known of its one benefit. They can cause drowsiness and help catching asleep, which is absolutely needed for those who experienced hard cough.

However, cough syrup is not recommended for children below four years old. Cough syrup must be taken not more than what is instructed because it can be seriously unsafe.

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