Ever Wonder how Cold Medicine Works?

Does everyone in Southeast Minnesota have this nasty cold?

The common cold generally lasts between 4 and 10 days for the average person.  However, I was told by a nurse yesterday that the bug going around now is a little stronger and it might take a person two to three weeks to get over it.

I've been popping cold medicine like candy for the last week with no luck. So last night, in between blowing my nose and coughing, I started Googling.  I wanted to learn how cold medicine actually works.

Since you clicked on this article, I assume you want to know too.

I found several articles but the most informative one was posted by robitussin.com.  Below you'll see the information they posted on each type of medicine and how it works:

• Decongestants shrink blood vessels in the lining of the nose. As a result, less blood is able to flow through the nasal area, and swollen tissue inside the nose gets smaller.
• Antihistamines lock your body’s receptors that trigger itching, nasal irritation, sneezing and mucus production.
• Cough suppressants control your cough: Some block the cough reflex (antitussives), while expectorants thin mucus in the lungs to help clear airways and make coughs more productive (expectorants).
• Analgesics, like acetaminophen, temporarily reduce fever and provide relief from aches and pains associated with colds, like headaches or body aches.