"How Much Do People Trust What Scientists Say?"

[Skwim]

source

[Walkntune]

For the Autism, food safety,vitamins and minerals,depression drugs, and flu pandemics i believe they gave scientists way too much credit.

[Gunfingers]

Originally Posted by Walkntune

For the Autism, food safety,vitamins and minerals,depression drugs, and flu pandemics i believe they gave scientists way too much credit.

Care to clarify on that?

[LuisDantas]

I'm surprised by the lack of confidence on the nutritional matters.

[Smoke]

It's interesting to see how elected officials and religious authorities rank.

[Kilgore Trout]

This isn't representative of a cross-section of the American populace. This is from a poll of readers of Scientific American, hence the rational results.

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by Skwim

Oh, that can't be right!

Journalists should rank much lower.

[Smoke]

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

This isn't representative of a cross-section of the American populace. This is from a poll of readers of Scientific American, hence the rational results.

Well, that explains why the poll doesn't seem to reflect our public life.

[Walkntune]

I don't want to get into any deep discussions with this right now because we could spend a long time on psychiatry alone.
I think taking a cough suppressant when you are sick is out right foolish. It is the bodies natural way of ridding itself of the germs causing the virus.When I was a child and would get the flu my mother would feel me full of medicine and I would be sick for a week. Now when I get sick I eat lots of oranges and drink water and usually better the next day, two at the most. Even animals know to fast and drink water when they get sick.Hard for big pharma to make money like that though.

[tumbleweed41]

Originally Posted by Walkntune

I don't want to get into any deep discussions with this right now because we could spend a long time on psychiatry alone.
I think taking a cough suppressant when you are sick is out right foolish. It is the bodies natural way of ridding itself of the germs causing the virus.When I was a child and would get the flu my mother would feel me full of medicine and I would be sick for a week. Now when I get sick I eat lots of oranges and drink water and usually better the next day, two at the most. Even animals know to fast and drink water when they get sick.Hard for big pharma to make money like that though.

So your beef is with the marketing campaigns of pharmaceutical companies that push so called cold remedies on us.
Not with Medical Science which advocates the following....

If you have a Cold

• Get more rest. Your body needs the energy to fight the cold.

• Increase liquids. Drink at least two quarts a day.

• Don’t smoke. Smoking will only make your sore throat and cough worse.

• Use a vaporizer or humidifier to increase humidity and reduce irritation to your nose and throat. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning your equipment.

• Dress for the weather.

For a Sore Throat

• Gargle with salt water every 6-8 hours (use 1/2 tsp. salt in a glass of warm water). If your throat is still sore after 48 hours, stop the salt-water gargles and call your health care provider.

• Don't gargle with prepared mouthwashes. They may be irritating or drying.

• Slowly suck on hard candies between gargles to help soothe and moisten your sore throat.

• If you're hoarse, try to limit talking and avoid talking over background noise and shouting.

• Take aspirin (or acetaminophen) according to the directions on the bottle.
• If these measures aren’t helpful, use an antiseptic-anesthetic spray, such as Chloraseptic® throat spray.

For a Cough

A cough is the body’s way of removing foreign material. If your cough is keeping you awake or causing you pain, you can use a cough syrup. The best cough syrups are the simple ones with guaifenesin and dextromethorphan. Avoid those that contain several ingredients. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can tell you which cough syrups these are.

For Nasal, Sinus or Ear Congestion

Cold tablets. Your best source of relief from stuffiness is to use a decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®) or a nasal spray. Pseudoephedrine can be bought without a prescription. Do not drive after taking cold medicines until you are sure that no side effects will occur. For instance, some medicines may make you drowsy or jittery. If you have high blood pressure, be sure to check with your doctor or nurse about a medicine before you buy it.

Many cold tablets contain an antihistamine, which does not decongest your nose and may delay healing by drying secretions too much. Tablets with many ingredients often contain such low dosages of drugs that they are not helpful.


Nose drops and sprays (e.g. Afrin® or Oxymetazoline®, Neosynephrine®, Dristan®) are designed to shrink swollen membranes. But, if they are used for more than 3 days, there is a good chance that they may increase irritation and swelling.

For Fever, Body Aches, Headache

Aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen will give you some relief from these symptoms.

What to Do for a Cold, Health Facts For You, UW Health, University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison