flying with a bad cold
Mar 11, 2012, 5:23 am
#61
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There has indeed been some recent Scottish research that suggests it is indeed relatively easy to damage your liver through small overdoses, and that alcohol has a part to play in that. Having said that, paracetamol is safe when taken according to the directions given.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/89...lls-a-day.html
Mar 11, 2012, 6:03 am
#63
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Take a decongestant containing pseudoephidrine such as Boots decongestant tablets and paracetamol too. Tablets take a long time to get into your system so take one an hour before take off, and then one an hour before landing so they have time to start working.
Also if you have sinus pain during decent use a nasal spray containing oxymetazaline such as otrivine as that usually works in seconds. Not a good idea to use it for more than a few days though as it can irritate the nasal passages and make things worse, fine for occasional use though.
It's never pleasant, but it's only a cold.
Also if you have sinus pain during decent use a nasal spray containing oxymetazaline such as otrivine as that usually works in seconds. Not a good idea to use it for more than a few days though as it can irritate the nasal passages and make things worse, fine for occasional use though.
It's never pleasant, but it's only a cold.
Mar 11, 2012, 6:15 am
#64
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I am addicted to xylometazoline for >37 yrs so I can tell from experience that it will NOT help when you have sinus congestion. It only clears the nose. The problem during flight is with the sinuses not with a stuffed nose.
Last edited by henkybaby; Mar 11, 2012 at 6:36 am
Mar 11, 2012, 6:51 am
#65
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I am on co-codamol at the moment. Because I am in pain.
I have noticed from blood tests that my liver is been damaged. The readings are the same as a very heavy drinker. I havent drank any wine etc since I first went on them. I am due to have another set of bloods in the next couple of weeks to see where it now is. i am only using the daily limits that the doctors tell me to.
So the stories are true about the damage they can do.
I have noticed from blood tests that my liver is been damaged. The readings are the same as a very heavy drinker. I havent drank any wine etc since I first went on them. I am due to have another set of bloods in the next couple of weeks to see where it now is. i am only using the daily limits that the doctors tell me to.
So the stories are true about the damage they can do.
Mar 11, 2012, 7:29 am
#66
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Nothing is truly safe, drink 5 pints of water in 2 minutes and you will die.
Xylometazaline works for me. It reduces the inflammation of the nasal membranes opening up the entrance to the sinuses so it should help
Xylometazaline works for me. It reduces the inflammation of the nasal membranes opening up the entrance to the sinuses so it should help
Mar 11, 2012, 9:03 am
#67
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Paracetamol is sold today in most countries as an OTC product because it was permitted decades ago. If paracetamol would be an unknown substance seeking permission, that would likely not be granted today, not as an OTC product, anyway.
Paracetamol is safe for the occasional use within the maximum daily dosage (4g/day, not more than 1g at a time).
However, combined with alcohol, or as recent studies have shown, exceeding the daily dose even slightly, paracetamol causes permanent liver damage. One study states 6g/day to be already dangerous which is only 50% over the recommended maximum dose.
There is an active discussion going on right now in the pharmaceutical community (started a few years back, actually) about how to deal with paracetamol. The current compromise in many countries is that that only lower doses and small packages are sold as OTC (such as 10-20 tabs/500mg).
Just because one can buy paracetamol like candy doesn't mean it's safe. But hey, each to their own.
Paracetamol is safe for the occasional use within the maximum daily dosage (4g/day, not more than 1g at a time).
However, combined with alcohol, or as recent studies have shown, exceeding the daily dose even slightly, paracetamol causes permanent liver damage. One study states 6g/day to be already dangerous which is only 50% over the recommended maximum dose.
There is an active discussion going on right now in the pharmaceutical community (started a few years back, actually) about how to deal with paracetamol. The current compromise in many countries is that that only lower doses and small packages are sold as OTC (such as 10-20 tabs/500mg).
Just because one can buy paracetamol like candy doesn't mean it's safe. But hey, each to their own.
tb
PS I think you should say 'may cause liver damage' rather than will do so.
Mar 11, 2012, 11:34 am
#71
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I think this means acute hyponatraemia - but very tricky to achieve orally. I wouldn't advise trying though.
Come on, I'm sure the OP has a (viral) cold - not life-threatening pneumonia or true bacterial sinusitis (rare BTW). I'm sure they will be fine on a plane. What on earth do you think the crew do?
Rarely have I found a thread so amusing, but perhaps that is because I am medically qualified
Mar 11, 2012, 11:39 am
#72
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Well, I can only speak from personal experience* and I have never been in that much pain ever. But what is one real life experience vs a medical degree anyway?
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=60597
http://health.savvy-cafe.com/the-pai...es-2007-09-27/
* albeit sinusitis, not a simple cold. I only found out it was sinusitis when my head felt like it was going to explode at 30000 ft though...
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=60597
http://health.savvy-cafe.com/the-pai...es-2007-09-27/
* albeit sinusitis, not a simple cold. I only found out it was sinusitis when my head felt like it was going to explode at 30000 ft though...
Mar 11, 2012, 11:53 am
#73
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But paracetamol is available due to older rules. Even with today's rules, Aspirin wouldn't have been approved, since it causes birth defect in mice.
As per combo of paracetamol & alcohol, the intake of maximum recommended daily dose (4 grams eqv 8 of 500mg tablets) together with alcohol increases risk of liver damage, which doesn't mean that all exposed will have problems.
Mar 11, 2012, 12:01 pm
#74
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I think this means acute hyponatraemia - but very tricky to achieve orally. I wouldn't advise trying though.
Come on, I'm sure the OP has a (viral) cold - not life-threatening pneumonia or true bacterial sinusitis (rare BTW). I'm sure they will be fine on a plane. What on earth do you think the crew do?
Rarely have I found a thread so amusing, but perhaps that is because I am medically qualified