Minor illnesses and other mild aches are common which can be treated with over the counter drugs. So, it is important to keep a few medicines also called over the counter drugs at home in case of an emergency when you can’t get to a pharmacy. Always go through instructions labels carefully and follow those instructions, and store the medicines accordingly out of the reach of children. Your pharmacist is an ideal person who can give you more information about over-the-counter medicines which do not require a prescription from your physician. If the symptoms do not resolve or if it gets worse it is better to consult your doctor.

Essential Medicines For Home In Case Of an Emergency

Minor illnesses are common among children. Most of the symptoms usually begin when pharmacies are closed or during the lockdown. Here are some important suggestions to be kept in mind for essential medicines that you can keep at home just in case they are needed during times of emergency.

Points To Remember

•  Always read the packet label carefully as well as the leaflet inside the packet before taking medicine. These instructions are provided to know the method and dose of consuming medicine and who should not consume the medicine, and a possible list of side-effects are also provided.
• Keep in mind that children will need a different dose from that of adults, and different dosing is done based on their age. Therefore, always read the label carefully for the correct dose.
• All the medicines should be kept out of the reach of children.

OTC Drugs

These are the following list of drugs which can be kept at home without the need for prescription

Paracetamol

Paracetamol helps to ease the pain. It also helps to reduce a high temperature (fever) of the body. This drug comes in tablet form as well for the use in adults and older children and in liquid form for young children and babies. They are also options of soluble tablets and melt-in-the-mouth type of tablets. For younger children, paracetamol is the most important medicine to keep at home all time. Normal dose of paracetamol is safe to use but is harmful if you take too much of it like avoiding overdosing. So, it is extremely important to know the right dosage before administration paracetamol. Do not exceed the maximum dose which is recommended on the packet.

Anti-inflammatory painkillers

These types of painkillers are used to reduce inflammation. Most of the anti-inflammatory drugs need a prescription but ibuprofen is available in pharmacies and supermarkets as over the counter drug. This drug helps in alleviating muscular aches and sprains and can also be used to relieve menstrual pain. Ibuprofen also helps to reduce fever. This drug comes in tablets, soluble tablet s, liquid forms and melt-in-the-mouth. There are various brands of ibuprofen available in the market. The dose is variable according to age.

Antihistamines

This drug helps to ease the symptoms of hay fever and other seasonal allergies which includes hives (urticaria), itching, sneeze, runny nose and watering eyes. It can also be used to reduce the pain and swelling from bee stings or wasps.

Antacids

Antacids are used to help with patients in case of indigestion and heartburn. There are different types of antacids available in the market which are as follows: sodium bicarbonate, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate, aluminium. The function of antacids is to neutralise the acid content of the stomach. More powerful forms of antacids are available which reduce acid in the stomach are ranitidine and esomeprazole.

Hydrocortisone Cream

This cream is a milder form of steroid cream. Steroids basically reduce inflammation on the skin and inside the body as well. Hydrocortisone is bought from pharmacies which are used to treat inflammation of the skin (dermatitis), hyperpigmentation,  insect stings and eczema. This cream can show negative impact when used on the face, so it should not be used on the face unless prescribed by your dermatologist specifically for use on the face. Stop using this cream when symptoms resolve.

Antiseptic Cream

Antiseptic cream is useful to have at home because of its multipurpose use. You can use this on minor cuts, scrapes and insect bites, which are less likely to become infected. Most Common available antiseptic creams include Savlon, Soframycin and Germolene®.

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Acidity is caused by the surplus production of hydrochloric acid by the gastric glands in the stomach. Excess production of acid is triggered by various sets of factors like stress, acidic food, overindulgence in alcohol and dehydration. Excess acid moves up to the esophagus leading to experiencing symptoms like a burning sensation, sour taste, and heaviness.

How to Manage Acidity Using Lifestyle

The mucosa membrane which is the inner lining of the stomach is designed to remain unaffected in a high acidic environment whereas esophagus cannot withstand the acidic environment. Therefore, when excess acid reaches the esophagus, it leads to experiencing the discomforting burning sensation.

Symptoms of acidity

Symptoms of acidity

• Burning sensation in stomach, chest, and throat
• Sour taste in the mouth, this is called regurgitation
• Discomfort in the upper abdomen area
• Heaviness after meal
• In the long run, your Cells become anaerobic because of acidity and you may constantly feel Fatigue.

Common causes of acidity

There are various causes which may lead to acidity, knowing them would help you prevent acidity from happening. Following is the list of the common causative factors of acidity.

Stress

It is often noticed that stress makes us vulnerable to irregular meals, emotional eating, and unhealthy meals. All of these contribute to poor digestion and may cause acidity. Stress can affect the brain-gut communication, it can trigger bloating and can bring changes in gut bacteria. Stress can lead to either overeating or individual may eat much less than usual. Intense stress can also lead to spasm in the esophagus which is often mistaken for heart attack. Stress can also contribute to an increase in the amount of air swallowed during eating food, this increases burping, gassiness and bloating leading to acidity.

Spicy food

Spicy food may increase the risk of acidity. Similarly, fatty meals delay stomach emptying because fat takes a longer time to digest.

Missing meals

Erratic working hours may lead to Missing meals and later eating at odd times may lead to acidity. When you miss a regular meal, you end up eating a large meal later. This leads to pressure on the valve and predisposes one to reflux. Eat small frequent meals that are distributed frequently throughout the day. Also schedule early dinner to avoid nighttime reflux because when you are lying down, stomach content can easily flow up into the esophagus.

Antacids

Antacids are helpful, since they contain acid-neutralizing salts, and they quickly bring up the pH. But, Regular use of antacids may lead to your body becoming immune to them. Also, antacids may create havoc in People with kidney disease.

Managing acidity with Simple lifestyle changes

Simple lifestyle changes can help you manage acidity, Acid reflux, burping, bloating, and flatulence.

Maintain ideal Gaps between meals

The average time consumed for digestion is 3 -4 hours, Do not keep long hours between meals 3 to 4 hours gap is sufficient.

Chew your food and eat slowly

Larger chunks of food trigger more production of acids, it is easy to digest predigested food. Likewise, try to keep your meals at the same time every time. Your body has a memory, this helps in producing digestive juices at the same time. Adequate mixing of Saliva helps in moving food down through the esophagus.

Also, certain foods like chocolate, peppermint, and beverages containing caffeine may relax esophageal sphincter leading to heartburn. You can limit such food items.

Medicines

Certain medicines like antibiotics make you more vulnerable to acidity. Likewise, aspirin,

Keep your body alkaline

A bowl of raw cucumber, raw carrot, and lemon water helps in maintaining the body alkaline. Fresh fruits like apples and bananas act as a buffer for acidity.

Water consumption

Ensure optimum water consumption, it helps in neutralizing acidity.

Practice yoga, pranayama

Yoga is effective in giving abdominal compression and it also help in gentle massage to the internal organs. It facilitates internal organ functioning and improves optimum blood circulation. Asanas like vajrasana, bhujangasana, paschimtoasana, utrasana, and pavanmuktasana also helps in acidity. Proper respiration

Practice yoga, pranayama

Amla

Consume amla in the form of murabba, sherbet or pickle. It is a good source of vitamin C and B12. It works as a natural antacid and helps in fighting acidity.

Amla

Gulkand

Take a spoon of gulkand and mix it in a glass of water and sip it during the day. It is very effective in acidity.
Limit your beverages like Avoid too much tea and coffee. Household herbs such as ajwain, tulsi leaves, saunf, jeera, and pudina leaves are also helpful in relieving acidity.

Gulkand

It is suggested to maintain a food diary, it will help you observe and identify foods that lead to acidity. Try to avoid those or limit them in your diet.

It is important to note that pain due to heartburn can be confused with pain during a heart attack, therefore one needs to be aware of the possibility of any serious heart problems. If a person complains of chest pain accompanied by sweating, vomiting, and heartburn one should immediately seek medical attention.

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