Written By: Dr Anitha Anchan | Updated : June 27, 2016 5:54 PM IST
You can opt for hot beverages to get rid of a runny nose. © Shutterstock
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Lots of common ailments need no medical attention. Most of them get resolved on their own. For the rest, you could save yourself time and trouble by safely dealing with them at home through self-care and over-the-counter medication.
A word of caution though! Beware of indulging in self-medication. Do not take pills based on the suggestion of chemists, friends or just by yourself depending upon your past experiences.
Here how to decide when to see a doctor for few common symptoms and ailments:
Sore throat
A sore throat gets cured by itself. You can soothe it on its way to recovery by some natural remedies.
When to seek help
Cough
Cough occurs with common cold or a viral throat infection. Though they disrupt our lives most coughs go away completely or at least improve significantly within a period of two weeks. Simple ingredients in your kitchen along with over-the-counter medication can give an almost instant relief from cough.
When to seek help:
Fever
Fever is the body s natural response to an infection. It is an indication that your immune system is working hard to eliminate the disease causing bacteria or virus from the body. Fever up to 38 degree (102 F) might be considered as a safe, beneficial level and does not require medication. Body temperature between 102 F and 104 F may be brought down with medications.
When to seek help:
Nausea and Vomiting
It is not very uncommon to experience nausea and vomiting once in a while due to overeating, acidity, motion sickness, food intolerance, stress, fear, viral infections, etc. Nausea due to these conditions is temporary and you don t have much to do about it as it goes away once the situation is resolved. Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy (morning sickness) are very common. Avoiding foods and smells that trigger morning sickness, eating small portions frequently, consuming fluids, etc. can help ease morning sickness. Babies throwing up once or twice in the course of a day, but are otherwise healthy and playful is a reason not to worry.
When to seek help:
Headache
Head region is one of the most common sites of pain in the body. All headaches are not serious. Often headaches can be eliminated by lifestyle modifications and relaxation techniques with or without pain relievers.
When to seek help:
Red, swollen eye
Red, swollen eyes may be caused by seasonal allergies, a sty, conjunctivitis, etc. Sty usually resolves on its own. Avoiding the allergen can help relieve red, itchy, burning eyes due to allergy. Most cases of conjunctivitis are mild. Viral conjunctivitis gets better on its own, even without treatment. Warm compress helps ease the pain and break up some of the crust that may form on the eyelashes. Over-the-counter medications can help with itching and irritation.
When to seek help:
Common cold
A cold has no cure and it takes about seven days to resolve. There s no need to take any medicines if you rest well and try some natural remedies for common cold. Over the counter medication can help reduce the symptoms.
When to seek help:
Sinus infection
There are several natural ways you can get rid of the fluid build-up and inflammation associated with sinusitis.
When to seek help:
Toothache
If hot, cold, sweet or very acidic foods and drinks, or breathing in cold air, makes your teeth or a tooth sensitive or painful then you have sensitive teeth. In most cases, using desensitizing toothpaste can relieve the sensitivity. During a sinus infection, the pressure from the sinuses is referred as a dull ache to upper back teeth due to their close proximity to the teeth. Treating the sinus problem helps resolve the toothache.
When to seek help:
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References:
1. De Ronne N. [Management of fever in children younger than 3 years]. J Pharm Belg. 2010 Sep;(3):53-7. Review. French. PubMed PMID: 21090380.
