True or false?
1. Extra-strength pain relievers are more effective than
regular-strength tablets.
2. If you are hoarse or have laryngitis you should
whisper.
3. Certain foods can cause headaches in some people.
4. Taking penicillin or other antibiotics will speed recovery
from a cold or the flu.
5. Bed rest is the best cure for a back ache.
6. Nasal decongestant sprays can actually leave your nose
more stopped up.
Answers
1. False. Most extra-strength pain relievers are just
larger doses of the regular-strength drugs (for instance, two
extra-strength Tylenol tablets equals three regular tablets)
and offer little, if any, additional pain relief. But they
can increase the chance of an adverse reaction if you are
sensitive.
2. False. You should speak only when necessary but not
in a whisper. Whispering can be as bad as shouting, putting
extra stress on vocal cords. So if you need to talk, do so in
a soft voice.
3. True. Many foods, such as ripe cheeses, freshly-
baked yeast products and chocolate, contain a naturally-
occurring chemical called tyramine that can lead to headaches
in susceptible individuals by causing cerebral blood vessels
to dilate.
4. False. Antibiotics, including penicillin, are
effective only against bacterial infections such as strep
throat. They can do nothing for a cold or flu, which are
viral infections. Many people here think that antibiotics
kill viruses as well as bacteria.
5. True. But only up to a point. Lying down is a good
idea if the pain is severe. Not only does it relieve the
pain, it takes mechanical pressure off your back. But
prolonged bed rest can result in weakened back muscles from
lack of activity; this in turn may leave them vulnerable to
further injury -- the consensus is that a day or two in bed
is sufficient for most back aches except those related to
disc problems, which may require a longer rest.
6. True. Decongestant sprays work by constricting
blood vessels, but with repeated use the vessels no longer
constrict, resulting in a rebound effect -- more swelling and
congestion. If you use a nasal spray, do so only for a day or
two or you may be worse off than if you hadn't used one at
all.
So remember: be alive as long as you live and do it the
BRUNER METHOD WAY!
