Gastro-intestinal medicines can be roughly divided into three groups: peptic and digestive medicines, antacids, and integrated gastro-intestinal medicines. When those with high levels of gastric juice secretion take a peptic and digestive medicine, gastric juice secretion increases further, which may result in gastric ulcers. Therefore, taking an incorrect medicine may cause adverse effects.
2. Digestion-promoting medicines
Peptic and digestive medicines enhance digestive power when you have eaten too much or your gastro-intestinal functions are weakened.
3. Acid-indigestion suppression medicines
There are two ways to suppress acid indigestion with medicines: one is to use an alkaline medicine to neutralize gastric acid, and the other is to use a medicine that directly suppress the secretion of gastric acid. Many commercial antacids have both of these mechanisms, and some contain antiulcer properties to protect gastric mucosa against gastric acid.
4. Gastric pain-relieving medicines
Spasmolytics are used to relieve pain due to gastrospasm or other conditions. They act primarily on the autonomic nervous system that controls the stomach to relieve gastric tension. They are for emergency cases only, and should not be used continuously.
5. medicines
Hangover medicines are mostly liquid products in which crude drugs are dissolved into solutions. They are integrated gastro-intestinal medicines that invigorates a stomach weakened by excessive drinking and eating, and enhance digestion. They also contain components for protecting the gastric mucosa and suppressing nausea and vomiting.
(2)Cold medicines
1. Cold medicines as symptomatic treatment
Although viruses cause most types of colds, there are no medicines for cold viruses. Cold medicines are intended to relieve the various uncomfortable symptoms related to colds. Therefore, they are symptomatic, and should be selected for appropriate symptoms.
2. Integrated cold medicines for multiple symptoms
Integrated cold medicines are the most common among cold medicines, and contain many components, including an antitussive for coughing, antipyretic for fever, anti-inflammatory for throat pain, antihistamine for runny nose, expectorant for phlegm, and caffeine to provide energy.
3. Medicines for individual symptoms
An integrated cold medicine is not always the best choice for treating a cold. When you have a cold in the nose, you may take only a rhinitis medicine containing an antihistamine as its main ingredient. When you have only coughing and phlegm, taking a cough medicine and getting a good night's sleep may be enough.
4. Strictly follow the prescribed usage and dose
Cold medicines have relatively potent effects, as their ingredients act on the nervous system. It is dangerous to increase the prescribed dose or take a medicine at too short an interval. Strictly follow the directions for each medicine.
5. Cold medicines for up to three days
Because cold medicines are intended to transiently relieve uncomfortable symptoms, it isn't necessary to take them until all symptoms are alleviated. You can discontinue their use when your temperature decrease to some degree, even if it is not your normal temperature.
