I've been a Registered Nurse for 2 years now. One thing I don't like about being a nurse is when people don't believe me. Why would I work myself through 4 years of Nursing just to give out wrong information to people? I mean SIRIUSLY???

As nurses, we aren't allowed to prescribe medicine... but we are allowed to SUGGEST them (especially if the medicine are sold OTC or over the counter in pharmacies all over the country). But whenever I suggest the right medicine or I tell people NOT to take a certain medicine, either they don't believe me... or they pretend they believe me and do what they want anyway.

*facepalms*

For example, COUGH MEDICINE.

There are different kinds of cough, and I make sure I know what kind it is before I make a suggestion.

> When did it start?

> Is it dry cough or is it productive cough (with phlegm)?

> If it is productive, what color is the phlegm? (may be clear, white, yellow, green, red, or brown)

> Do you notice other sounds that come with your coughing? (wheezes, whooping cough, etc)

If the cough just started (a few hours before I was asked for a suggestion), then I would suggest an increase in water intake or maybe a salt gargle. It could be just a strain of the throat or something. But if the cough has be going on for a few days, then I proceed to the other questions.

I have only one rule for dry or unproductive cough: MAKE IT PRODUCTIVE. It's WAY easier to treat productive cough. And to do that, just increase daily water intake. As simple as that. I would also highly suggest orange juice or lemonade.

I highly discourage antitussives (translated as anti-cough medicine which literally suppresses your cough reflex) such as Sinecod or Vicks syrup. It doesn't help deal with the cause of the cough. I only suggest it when the cough starts causing extreme headaches or if the one who asked me is hypertensive or diabetic since there is a risk for stroke or aneurysms.

On the other hand, if the cough is productive, I would ask what color the phlegm (or sputum in medical terms) is. If it's white or clear, then Water Therapy should work just fine. If it is yellow or green, then the person is already in need of ANTIBIOTICS. Now don't treat these kinds of medicine as candy that you can just pop in your mouth and the cough will just go away. It won't.

There are certain principles in using antibiotics (which I keep reiterating to a LOT of people if they only choose to listen).

1. Always start with the weakest antibiotic (Penicillins - such as Amoxicillin is widely known as the weakest antibiotic).

2. Take the antibiotic for FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS to ensure that all bacteria are killed or weakened and to minimize the chances of them being resistant to antibiotics.

Let's say that the person chose not to listen to me and only took the antibiotic for one or two days, WHAT WILL HAPPEN? Basically the bacteria will be resistant to that particular antibiotic (meaning they won't work on them anymore) so the person will have to use a higher or stronger antibiotic. And the stronger the antibiotic you use, the worse is the side effects on the kidneys and liver... and they are also more expensive.

Anyway, if the sputum is red or brown... then I would suggest a sputum examination AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. That color usually indicates the presence of blood, which is usually seen in cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis. If it comes out negative for TB, then start thanking all the angels and saints.

If there are any other sounds that comes with the coughing such as wheezes or whooping sounds, then see a physician as soon as possible. Wheezes usually indicate constriction of the bronchioles, and is a symptom of Asthma or a possible allergic reaction. While whooping cough is another story.

COUGH seems such a simple problem... yet there are a lot of things to consider before taking any kind of medicine. And if you happen to know a nurse (since talking to doctors cost P500 pesos in average), trust him/her. Nurses don't exactly breeze through college... and licenses don't exactly grow on trees either. They know their sh*t. So if you ask a nurse for medical advice, listen and do what he/she tells you to do.

PLEASE? :)

8:08 AM △ permalink