All that most OTC medicines do is mask symptoms to make you more comfortable. Of course, you stay sick longer. Our bodies were designed to fight off and eliminate illness. Anti-diarrheal medications are one that I REALLY don’t understand. If your body wants rid of something don’t try to hinder it.
You may be right about anti-diarrheal meds, but having just read up on the common cold (don’t ask why!) - I’ve found a lot of old wives tales and plain BS often gets taken as gospel.
For example, allergic reactions like sneezing can help remove irritants like dust or pollen, but don’t do a darn thing to get rid of viruses, which stay fat and happy in the nasal cavity. So I figure, why suffer the symptoms if it doesn’t matter?
My reference for this is: http://www.commoncold.org/special1.htm
If anyone can dispute these claims, I’d be interested in knowing.
Yes, that's correct, up to a point. Prolonged diarrhea causes severe dehydration, however.
Out of control diarrhea can be fatal.
Sometimes and illness or whatever can cause body systems that normally work for the good, to go awry. In the case of uncontrollable diarrhea it can cause severe dehydration and even death.
Out of control diarrhea can be stopped with Parapectolin (or a generic equivalent). In an emergency when a doctor is unavailable, your pharmacist may let you sign for it, especially if you describe the problem. It has to be signed for because it is a class IV drug and contains a minute amount of opium.
Diarrhea can cause muscle spasms in the large intestine and the Parapectolin calms them for long enough for your body to regain control.