I have a cold, how do I optimize my brain?

[TreefiddyZ]

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I can barely focus right now, nose is running, throat hurts and headache, but worst of all is the brain fog, I can't focus, memory is poor and I'm grumpy as hell right now, but I need to be productive, what should I do?

I've been:
- constantly hydrating
- eating sugary foods
- taking dayquil and nightquil
- getting fresh air

I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how they managed to study while sick

 

[Aubrey Graham]

Caffeine?

 

[Crayola227]

I really like Theraflu... whatever crack they put in that plus the fact it's liquid - tastes horrible but works fast and powerful

 

[Crayola227]

get a Netti pot or a Sinus Rinse bottle... ENTs swear by them and they should be used religiously for any and all sinus complaints at the first sign of trouble

half the icky symptoms you describe can feel a lot better if you can keep those sinuses unclogged

 

[TreefiddyZ]

get a Netti pot or a Sinus Rinse bottle... ENTs swear by them and they should be used religiously for any and all sinus complaints at the first sign of trouble

half the icky symptoms you describe can feel a lot better if you can keep those sinuses unclogged

I completely agree.

 

[TreefiddyZ]

Caffeine?

Caffeine makes headaches worse, been there done that

 

[NontradCA]

See cocaine thread.

 

[lakeofirefun]

See cocaine thread.

May require pretreatment with a nasal decongestant. Pseudoephedrine + cocaine for the win.

 

[TBV]

inb4 not for medical advice post. But for real just man up it's just a cold.

 

[alpinism]

Vancomycin and Fentanyl.

 

[DrFizition]

Vancomycin and Fentanyl.

Vanco for a cold?

 

[alpinism]

Vanco for a cold?

Yes.

And Zosyn just to be on the safe side.

 

[Taddy Mason]

Here you go OP: http://www.theonion.com/article/pfizer-releases-vintage-cask-aged-robitussin-37092

 

[Cinclus]

Sugary foods are generally a poor choice. Try a hot shower or breathing in steam to clear out your head. Gargle with salt water; it will help pull fluids out of the inflamed tissues - this old school trick actually works. But colds are crappy. Unfortunately, you mainly have to suffer through them.

 

[TBV]

Vanco for a cold?

Yes.

And Zosyn just to be on the safe side.

**** it might as well just go right for the Imipenem and Amphoteracin. Don't take any chances on your health.

 

[hallowmann]

Rest. Any particular reason you need to be productive? A couple days of rest aren't going to significantly harm your academic career, unless you're like a week out from boards or something. In which case, see posts 7, 8, 10, 12, and 15.

Or just do what Crayola says.

 

[BronxBomber]

Nyquil makes my head super foggy since its a 1st generation anti-histamine. Try using mucinex instead. It changed my cold-care game

 

[Psai]

**** it might as well just go right for the Imipenem and Amphoteracin. Don't take any chances on your health.

I'm a fan of linezolid/dapto myself. Gotta double cover to be safe you know

 

[Crayola227]

Yes.

And Zosyn just to be on the safe side.

on the wards we call them vitamins V and Z

"no patient with sepsis should die without vitamins V & Z on board"
"no patient with cancer should die without steroids on board either"

I forget the other rules of thumb for what you should order futilely before someone dies in a vain effort to appear like you're trying

 

[Law2Doc]

The common cold actually won't impact either your brain or memory, though it might make you feel like crap and perhaps have a harder time focusing on other things. (A lot of meds you might take could have an impact though). So incapacitation from this kind of illness is mostly just a state of mind. It's why some people, though catching colds, manage never take a sick day. You can generally hydrate, address symptoms with nondrowsiness OTC meds and power through. Not saying you should, just saying you can't really claim your brain/memory "isn't working" because of a cold. (Also if you are typing posts on SDN you are mentating reasonably well).

 

[EmergDoc2B]

what he ^^^^^ said.