FW: A Natural, Safe Alternative to Cough and Cold Medications for Children

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Probiotics also help keep the kids and adults from getting sick.

sea_shell81@...From: consumers@...Subject: A Natural, Safe Alternative to Cough and Cold Medications for ChildrenDate: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:31:12 -0600 If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.

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A Natural, Safe Alternative to Cough and Cold Medications for Children

by Dr. Trevor Holly Cates

Colds and coughs are top reasons for doctor visits, and in families with school-aged children, children may get as many as twelve colds per year. Pre-school and grade school children catch colds and coughs more frequently than adults because they are in close contact with other children, and their immune systems are not fully developed. When it comes to treating coughs and colds, parents’ options may seem limited. Recent news about the safety of over-the-counter (OTC) children’s cough and cold medications has parents wondering if there are alternatives to treating common colds and coughs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been examining concerns that many widely used OTC cold and cough medications for children can cause serious, even fatal, health problems. Last month, a panel of advisors to the FDA recommended that children under six-years-old should not take cough and cold OTC medications because their effectiveness has not been studied in children, and the risks outweigh their benefits. Just prior to these recommendations, manufacturers of 14 popular OTC cold and cough medications agreed to voluntarily withdraw the products for children under 2 from stores.

But cold season is here, and parents don’t want to sit back while their kids suffer with stuffy noses and coughs and miss school. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. children miss 22 million school days each year as a result of the common cold. To help cut back on doctor visits and missed school, parents do have another option -- a natural approach that supports the immune system and provides relief of symptoms.

Prevention is key and good hygiene is important to help prevent the spread of germs that cause colds and coughs. Children should sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow or a tissue rather than their hands. Also, remind children about the importance of hand washing and give a refresher course on how to wash thoroughly with soap and water.

Nutritionally, children can benefit from eating nutrient-rich foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Inadequate levels of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, E, and C, B vitamins, selenium, and zinc, may decrease immunity and increase the chances of catching a cold. Drinking water, hot herbal teas (such as Chamomile), and warm soups (especially chicken soup) are all good choices during a cold.

If your child catches a cold and the air is dry, a cool-mist humidifier can moisten the air and help ease congestion and coughing. But be sure the humidifier is properly cleaned so that it doesn’t harbor mold and bacteria.

Homeopathic medicine can help enhance the immune system and act as a safe and effective choice in treating children with colds and coughs. The homeopathic approach looks at symptoms as positive, adaptive responses to the variety of stresses the body experiences, and seeks to help the body heal itself. Homeopathy is safe for any age, including young children. Homeopathic medicines are safe, easy to use, and do not cause drowsiness or stimulation. Homeopathic medicines are available as individual remedies and as combination remedies.

A simple approach is selecting a combination homeopathic that has been formulated for a particular health condition. For example, Hyland’s makes combination remedies for the common cold and cough that come in quick dissolving, easy-to-take tablets. Some of the products that appear to be particularly helpful for colds are Hyland’s Sniffles ‘n Sneezes 4 Kids and Hyland’s C-Plus Cold Tablets. These combinations include homeopathic medicines that help relieve common cold symptoms including sneezing, sore throat, runny eyes, runny nose and headaches. Hyland’s also makes a Cough Syrup with Honey that is safe for children over 1 year old.

Even with the news about safety concerns of OTC cough and cold medications for children, parents don’t have to passively watch their child suffer through miserable symptoms. Good hygiene, proper nutrition and natural therapies such as homeopathy can give parents tools to help relieve their child’s symptoms, without the worry.

As with any health condition, it is important to consult with your health care provider if your symptoms continue or worsen despite treatment or new symptoms develop. Persistent symptoms such as a chronic cough can be a sign of something more serious and indicate a need a visit with your doctor.

Parents wonder about the safety of over-the-counter medicines for their children.

Hyland's Sniffles 'n Sneezes 4 Kids is just one of the safe and natural options parents have for treating children's coughs and colds.

Hyland's C-Plus Cold Tablets offer relief from symptoms of the common cold without the worry.

Hyland's Cough Syrup with Honey relieves coughs gently and safely with a great-tasting syrup.

Dr. Trevor Holly Cates received her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from the National College of Natural Medicine. The first woman licensed as a naturopathic doctor in California, Dr. Cates practices at the Santa Barbara Center for Natural Medicine with a specialty in women’s and children’s health. She successfully treats a variety of acute and chronic health concerns with a holistic approach using homeopathy, herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, environmental medicine, and other natural therapies. In addition to private practice, Dr. Cates is co-founder of Green This Life, a premier eco-lifestyle site. She also lectures and writes articles on natural medicine for various local and national publications. Dr. Cates has twice been appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to California’s Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine Advisory Council. She lives with her husband and three children in Santa Barbara, California.

www.sbcnm.com

www.greenthislife.com

This message was sent by Hyland's, Inc.

Hyland's, Inc.

210 West 131st Street

P.O. Box 61067

Los Angeles, California 90061

1-800-624-9659

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