Fw: Avoid cold medicines for children and some suggestions that help.

[Guest guest]

Cold Medicine and Children—What’s the Bottom Line?

By Jane Hart, MD

Healthnotes Newswire (November 29, 2007)—Following reports of serious injuries and deaths in children treated with cold medicines, the health community and industry has waited expectantly for the US Food and Drug Administration to weigh in on the issue. The FDA’s announcement in August of its plans to conduct a hearing prompted many manufacturers to voluntarily remove children’s cold medicines from store shelves. Now, the much-anticipated hearing has led the FDA to conclude that, until more research is conducted that shows safety and efficacy, these medicines should not be given to children under two years old unless instructed by a healthcare provider.

The limited number of available studies on the use of cough and cold medicine in children has not demonstrated effectiveness, according to information presented at the FDA hearing. Some cough and cold products currently on the market have never been tested in children.

Despite the lack of scientific evidence, manufacturers still claim their products’ effectiveness on the label and in the media. A. Suydam, president of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, said that over-the-counter cold medicines provide “real comfort” to children who suffer from cold symptoms. She stated that harm in children, while rare, is usually attributable to accidental ingestion, “an issue of safekeeping that is best addressed through education.” In other words, it is important to store medicines safely out of children’s reach and to administer them properly. (For more tips on safe administration, see the end of this article.) Suydam said that the Consumer Healthcare Products Association will work with the FDA to ensure sufficient scientific evidence of these products’ efficacy.

Taking care of your ailing child

Natural remedies, such as vitamin C, are an option for parents looking for ways to soothe their children’s cold symptoms. “Taking vitamin C two or three times a day for several days has been shown to shorten the duration of colds and the severity of symptoms in children,” said Alan R. Gaby, MD, chief science editor for Healthnotes. “However, two other cold remedies that are effective in adults—echinacea and zinc lozenges—do not appear to work for children.” The appropriate amount of vitamin C for children varies depending on age and tolerance and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

This new attention on medications may signal a return to the old-fashioned, common sense remedies many parents grew up with:

• Make sure your child gets plenty of fluids intake in order to maintain water balance and to thin secretions. Avoid sugary drinks in favor of water or a comforting chicken broth.

• Avoid giving sick children sugar and excessively fatty foods, as they are known to dip immune function.

• A warm, humid environment created by a humidifier may provide some comfort while riding out a cold.

• Make sure your sick child gets pleny of rest, especially those with severe symptoms.

Cold medicine dos and don’ts

The FDA made the following recommendations for parents who may continue to administer over-the-counter cold medicines to their children:

• Do not use cough and cold products in children under two years old unless given specific directions to do so by a healthcare provider.

• Read all of the information in the “Drug Facts” box on the product label.

• Do not give children medicine more often or in greater amounts than what is listed on the product label and use only as directed.

• Do not give children medication that is intended for adult use.

• Be aware that using various cough and cold medicines in combination may pose health risks; parents should ask a doctor whether or not it is safe to use products in combination.

• Use appropriate measuring devices such as a dropper or dosing spoon; parents should contact their doctor or pharmacist if they do not understand the dosing directions.

Finally, the FDA reminds parents that medicines used to treat cold symptoms do not cure a cold and that, even without treating symptoms, children will get better with time.

(Sources: FDA Public Health Advisory www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/cough_cold.htm

FDA Hearing Presentation www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/07/slides/2007-4323s1-03-Petitioner-Sharfstein.ppt

Consumer Healthcare Products Association Statement www.chpa-info.org/ChpaPortal/PressRoom/NewsReleases/2007/07_20_CHPA_Ad_Comm_Statement.htm)

Jane Hart, MD, board-certified in internal medicine, serves in a variety of professional roles including consultant, journalist, and educator. Dr. Hart, a Clinical Instructor at Case Medical School in Cleveland, Ohio, writes extensively about health and wellness and a variety of other topics for nationally recognized organizations, Web sites, and print publications. Sought out for her expertise in the areas of integrative and preventive medicine, she is frequently quoted by national and local media. Dr. Hart is a professional lecturer for healthcare professionals, consumers, and youth and is a regular corporate speaker.

Copyright © 2007 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. HEALTHNOTES and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.

© 2007 Healthex Corporation and MyVitaminGuide.com.. Reproduction without permission prohibited.Natural Vitamin Supplements, Nutritional Vitamin Supplements, VitaminInformation, Best Vitamin Supplements & Nutritional Health Supplements

[Guest guest]

I have somethings to add as well..in my experience..

I have found that a cup boiling hot water, one half of

lemon juice, or a little less if the throat is very

sore, and using honey, about a good tablespoon, is as

effective as any cough syrup you can give a child, it

loosens phelm, and soothes the throat, taking sips

when starting to cough stops it too.

Also bathing really helps cleanse the sick child. I do

this, I use himalayan sea salt and eucalyptus oil, a

few drops, some lavendar sparingly, and rub the chest

and back of the child with any vicks or a similar

product and bathe the child and soak in the tub with

warm water, and it helps the child breathe easier,

it's really so simple.

Always keep child out of drafts when taking him/her

out and dry their hair to stay warm. dressing the

child with socks is very important too, keeps feet

warm and out of drafts.

I keep rubbing the chest and back, and neck almost

every 6 hrs too, perhaps putting a scarf around the

child's neck helps too.

Even just honey in a cup also is great to relieve

symptoms.

Blessings,

Michele

--- Joyce Hudson <bjoyful@...> wrote:

> Cold Medicine and Children - Whats the Bottom Line?

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> Cold Medicine and

> Children—What’s the Bottom Line?

> By Jane Hart, MD

> Healthnotes Newswire

> (November 29, 2007)—Following reports of serious

> injuries and deaths in children treated with cold

> medicines, the health community and industry has

> waited expectantly for the US Food and Drug

> Administration to weigh in on the issue. The FDA’s

> announcement in August of its plans to conduct a

> hearing prompted many manufacturers to voluntarily

> remove children’s cold medicines from store shelves.

> Now, the much-anticipated hearing has led the FDA to

> conclude that, until more research is conducted that

> shows safety and efficacy, these medicines should

> not be given to children under two years old unless

> instructed by a healthcare provider.

>

> The limited number of

> available studies on the use of cough and cold

> medicine in children has not demonstrated

> effectiveness, according to information presented at

> the FDA hearing. Some cough and cold products

> currently on the market have never been tested in

> children.

>

> Despite the lack of

> scientific evidence, manufacturers still claim their

> products’ effectiveness on the label and in the

> media. A. Suydam, president of the Consumer

> Healthcare Products Association, said that

> over-the-counter cold medicines provide “real

> comfort” to children who suffer from cold symptoms.

> She stated that harm in children, while rare, is

> usually attributable to accidental ingestion, “an

> issue of safekeeping that is best addressed through

> education.” In other words, it is important to store

> medicines safely out of children’s reach and to

> administer them properly. (For more tips on safe

> administration, see the end of this article.) Suydam

> said that the Consumer Healthcare Products

> Association will work with the FDA to ensure

> sufficient scientific evidence of these products’

> efficacy.

>

> Taking care of your ailing

> child

>

> Natural remedies, such as

> vitamin C, are an option for parents looking for

> ways to soothe their children’s cold symptoms.

> “Taking vitamin C two or three times a day for

> several days has been shown to shorten the duration

> of colds and the severity of symptoms in children,”

> said Alan R. Gaby, MD, chief science editor for

> Healthnotes. “However, two other cold remedies that

> are effective in adults—echinacea and zinc

> lozenges—do not appear to work for children.” The

> appropriate amount of vitamin C for children varies

> depending on age and tolerance and should be

> discussed with a healthcare professional.

>

> This new attention on

> medications may signal a return to the

> old-fashioned, common sense remedies many parents

> grew up with:

>

> • Make sure your child gets

> plenty of fluids intake in order to maintain water

> balance and to thin secretions. Avoid sugary drinks

> in favor of water or a comforting chicken broth.

>

> • Avoid giving sick children

> sugar and excessively fatty foods, as they are known

> to dip immune function.

>

> • A warm, humid environment

> created by a humidifier may provide some comfort

> while riding out a cold.

>

> • Make sure your sick child

> gets pleny of rest, especially those with severe

> symptoms.

>

> Cold medicine dos and don’ts

>

> The FDA made the following

> recommendations for parents who may continue to

> administer over-the-counter cold medicines to their

> children:

>

> • Do not use cough and cold

> products in children under two years old unless

> given specific directions to do so by a healthcare

> provider.

>

> • Read all of the

> information in the “Drug Facts” box on the product

> label.

>

> • Do not give children

> medicine more often or in greater amounts than what

> is listed on the product label and use only as

> directed.

>

> • Do not give children

> medication that is intended for adult use.

>

> • Be aware that using

> various cough and cold medicines in combination may

> pose health risks; parents should ask a doctor

> whether or not it is safe to use products in

> combination.

>

> • Use appropriate measuring

> devices such as a dropper or dosing spoon; parents

> should contact their doctor or pharmacist if they do

> not understand the dosing directions.

>

> Finally, the FDA reminds

> parents that medicines used to treat cold symptoms

> do not cure a cold and that, even without treating

> symptoms, children will get better with time.

>

> (Sources: FDA Public Health

> Advisory

> www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/cough_cold.htm

>

> FDA Hearing Presentation

>

www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/07/slides/2007-4323s1-03-Petitioner-Sharfstein.ppt

>

> Consumer Healthcare Products

> Association Statement

>

www.chpa-info.org/ChpaPortal/PressRoom/NewsReleases/2007/07_20_CHPA_Ad_Comm_Stat\

ement.htm)

>

> Jane Hart, MD,

> board-certified in internal medicine, serves in a

> variety of professional roles including consultant,

> journalist, and educator. Dr. Hart, a Clinical

> Instructor at Case Medical School in Cleveland,

> Ohio, writes extensively about health and wellness

> and a variety of other topics for nationally

> recognized organizations, Web sites, and print

> publications. Sought out for her expertise in the

> areas of integrative and preventive medicine, she is

> frequently

=== message truncated ===

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[Guest guest]

Thank you Michele. And people if you don't have Himalayan sea salt, epsom salt does an excellent job. On the lavender drops, I use 10 in my bath water. I have dead sea salts, which I cook with and bathe in. Blessings, Joy

Re: [ ] Fw: Avoid cold medicines for children and some suggestions that help.

I have somethings to add as well..in my experience..I have found that a cup boiling hot water, one half oflemon juice, or a little less if the throat is verysore, and using honey, about a good tablespoon, is aseffective as any cough syrup you can give a child, itloosens phelm, and soothes the throat, taking sipswhen starting to cough stops it too.Also bathing really helps cleanse the sick child. I dothis, I use himalayan sea salt and eucalyptus oil, afew drops, some lavendar sparingly, and rub the chestand back of the child with any vicks or a similarproduct and bathe the child and soak in the tub withwarm water, and it helps the child breathe easier,it's really so simple.Always keep child out of drafts when taking him/herout and dry their hair to stay warm. dressing thechild with socks is very important too, keeps feetwarm and out of drafts.I keep rubbing the chest and back, and neck almostevery 6 hrs too, perhaps putting a scarf around thechild's neck helps too. Even just honey in a cup also is great to relievesymptoms.Blessings,Michele--- Joyce Hudson <bjoyful@...> wrote:> Cold Medicine and Children - Whats the Bottom Line?> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Cold Medicine and> Children-What's the Bottom Line?> By Jane Hart, MD> Healthnotes Newswire> (November 29, 2007)-Following reports of serious> injuries and deaths in children treated with cold> medicines, the health community and industry has> waited expectantly for the US Food and Drug> Administration to weigh in on the issue. The FDA's> announcement in August of its plans to conduct a> hearing prompted many manufacturers to voluntarily> remove children's cold medicines from store shelves.> Now, the much-anticipated hearing has led the FDA to> conclude that, until more research is conducted that> shows safety and efficacy, these medicines should> not be given to children under two years old unless> instructed by a healthcare provider. > > The limited number of> available studies on the use of cough and cold> medicine in children has not demonstrated> effectiveness, according to information presented at> the FDA hearing. Some cough and cold products> currently on the market have never been tested in> children. > > Despite the lack of> scientific evidence, manufacturers still claim their> products' effectiveness on the label and in the> media. A. Suydam, president of the Consumer> Healthcare Products Association, said that> over-the-counter cold medicines provide "real> comfort" to children who suffer from cold symptoms.> She stated that harm in children, while rare, is> usually attributable to accidental ingestion, "an> issue of safekeeping that is best addressed through> education." In other words, it is important to store> medicines safely out of children's reach and to> administer them properly. (For more tips on safe> administration, see the end of this article.) Suydam> said that the Consumer Healthcare Products> Association will work with the FDA to ensure> sufficient scientific evidence of these products'> efficacy.> > Taking care of your ailing> child > > Natural remedies, such as> vitamin C, are an option for parents looking for> ways to soothe their children's cold symptoms.> "Taking vitamin C two or three times a day for> several days has been shown to shorten the duration> of colds and the severity of symptoms in children,"> said Alan R. Gaby, MD, chief science editor for> Healthnotes. "However, two other cold remedies that> are effective in adults-echinacea and zinc> lozenges-do not appear to work for children." The> appropriate amount of vitamin C for children varies> depending on age and tolerance and should be> discussed with a healthcare professional.> > This new attention on> medications may signal a return to the> old-fashioned, common sense remedies many parents> grew up with:> > . Make sure your child gets> plenty of fluids intake in order to maintain water> balance and to thin secretions. Avoid sugary drinks> in favor of water or a comforting chicken broth.> > . Avoid giving sick children> sugar and excessively fatty foods, as they are known> to dip immune function.> > . A warm, humid environment> created by a humidifier may provide some comfort> while riding out a cold. > > . Make sure your sick child> gets pleny of rest, especially those with severe> symptoms. > > Cold medicine dos and don'ts> > The FDA made the following> recommendations for parents who may continue to> administer over-the-counter cold medicines to their> children:> > . Do not use cough and cold> products in children under two years old unless> given specific directions to do so by a healthcare> provider.> > . Read all of the> information in the "Drug Facts" box on the product> label.> > . Do not give children> medicine more often or in greater amounts than what> is listed on the product label and use only as> directed.> > . Do not give children> medication that is intended for adult use.> > . Be aware that using> various cough and cold medicines in combination may> pose health risks; parents should ask a doctor> whether or not it is safe to use products in> combination.> > . Use appropriate measuring> devices such as a dropper or dosing spoon; parents> should contact their doctor or pharmacist if they do> not understand the dosing directions.> > Finally, the FDA reminds> parents that medicines used to treat cold symptoms> do not cure a cold and that, even without treating> symptoms, children will get better with time.> > (Sources: FDA Public Health> Advisory> www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/cough_cold.htm> > FDA Hearing Presentation>www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/07/slides/2007-4323s1-03-Petitioner-Sharfstein.ppt> > Consumer Healthcare Products> Association Statement>www.chpa-info.org/ChpaPortal/PressRoom/NewsReleases/2007/07_20_CHPA_Ad_Comm_Statement.htm)> > Jane Hart, MD,> board-certified in internal medicine, serves in a> variety of professional roles including consultant,> journalist, and educator. Dr. Hart, a Clinical> Instructor at Case Medical School in Cleveland,> Ohio, writes extensively about health and wellness> and a variety of other topics for nationally> recognized organizations, Web sites, and print> publications. Sought out for her expertise in the> areas of integrative and preventive medicine, she is> frequently === message truncated === ____________________________________________________________________________________Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ