Effective Ways To Treat The Flu

Try Decongestants

One option when treating the flu is to try decongestants. These won't always work, and the effectiveness depends on a patient's exact flu symptoms. Decongestants are most commonly used for allergies because of how they affect the tissues and blood vessels. When the linings inside the nose, throat, or sinuses swell, a decongestant will shrink the swollen tissues and blood vessels. This helps relieve congestion, which occurs when the breathing passages become narrow. However, decongestants won't help get rid of mucus, and they also won't alleviate sneezing symptoms or pains caused by the flu. There are several over-the-counter decongestants available, so patients don't need to get a prescription. Different types might appear in nasal sprays, nose drops, liquids, or pills. Three of the most common decongestant ingredients are pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, and oxymetazoline. If patients are experiencing allergies on top of their flu symptoms, they can also get a decongestant that has an antihistamine. Antihistamines help reduce allergy responses that occur due to the immune system's release of histamines.

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