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Helping Children |
Alpha Online ChildrenWe have divided book topics into three domains: 1. Child Psychology Children's Center Home Learning Topics Books to Read |
Coughs, Colds, Respiratory Tract InfectionsChildren develop upper respiratory tract infections several times a year.
About 80% of these infections are caused by viruses, which run their course
regardless of what medications are offered. The prescription of antibiotics to
treat cold symptoms is one of the more futile actions of MDs, responding to
patient demand. Most cold suffers use over the counter cold and cough
pills and syrups that have little or no benefit. Prescription cough
medicines are of limited to no value and can be harmful. The symptoms of URI make life miserable for up to 10 days.
Nasal congestion is the main symptom of the common cold. Nasal congestion can be
more distressing than cough or sore throat, since it compromises breathing.
Congestion in infants interferes with feeding, since infants must breathe
through their noses while breast-feeding. Adults can clear their nose by
blowing, but infants are unable to clear the nasal airway on their own. The American College of Chest Physicians concluded that cough medicines do little good and may harm children. Paul et al tested two popular drugs, often included in cough medicines: dextromethorphan (DM) and diphenhydramine (DPH). The authors concluded that "Diphenhydramine and dextromethorphan are not superior to placebo in providing nocturnal symptom relief for children with cough and sleep difficulty as a result of an upper respiratory infection… the medications given to children do not result in improved quality of sleep for their parents when compared with placebo.” The authors also warned that both dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine have potential for toxicity. For dextromethorphan, adverse effects may include dystonia, anaphylaxis, bullous mastocytosis, dependence, psychosis, mania, hallucinations, ataxia, somnolence, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and death from high doses, particularly when combined with other over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Dextromethorphan is also a drug of abuse among adolescents. Adverse effects of diphenhydramine include somnolence, restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, dystonia, prolonged QT interval, seizures, and death. In The USA and Canada, 800 cough and cold products are sold to treat children's viral illnesses, containing about 40 drugs, costing $500 million USD every year. Sept 2007: Harris reported that safety experts for the US Food and Drug Administration urged the agency on Friday to consider an outright ban on over-the-counter, cough and cold medicines for children under 6… the agency may take strong action against the roughly 800 popular medicines marketed in the United States under names like Toddler’s Dimetapp, Triaminic Infant and Little Colds. The reviewers wrote that there is little evidence that these medicines are effective in young children, and there are increasing fears that they may be dangerous. From 1969 to 2006, at least 54 children died after taking decongestants, and 69 died after taking antihistamines, the report said. And it added that since adverse drug reactions are reported voluntarily and fitfully, the numbers were likely to significantly understate the medicines’ true toll." Regardless of what the US FDA decides, parents should abandon the belief that cold and cough medicines are effective and should be aware that they can be harmful, especially if the drug effects are combined by used more than one OTC product or combined with caffeine beverages and stimulant prescription drugs. See Children and Prescription Drugs and Avoid Stimulant Drugs The best strategy for children with colds and cough is to offer a pleasant cough syrup that is composed of sugar and flavoring without any harmful drug content. For older children and adults a topical nose decongestant used only for a few days may be helpful. Topical nasal decongestants can be a special problem for children under 3 years of age and are best avoided. A nasal aspirator can relieve nasal congestion in infants and young children. The aspirator is a flexible bulb with a removable plastic tip. The tip is inserted into the nostril to be cleaned, and gently released. A gentle suction is applied each nostril sucking mucus into the clear plastic tip. If secretions are too thick to be removed by this method, a non-medicated, 0.65% sodium chloride solution can be dropped or sprayed into the nostril. (Baby Ayr, Ayr Saline Nasal Mist, Breathe Right Saline Nasal Spray). The salt water solution will liquefy secretions that can then be removed with gentle suctioning. Topical nasal decongestants, include nasal drops and sprays. The main agents are levmetamfetamine, naphazoline, and propylhexedrine. Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine should not be given to children below the age of 6 years. They produce central nervous stimulation that interferes with a child's sleep and may raise blood pressure. Ref: The Diagnosis and Management of Cough: ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines available online; accessed 01/2006: http://www.chestnet.org/ Pediatrics. 2004;114:e85-e90 Harris G. Ban Cold Medicine for Very Young. NYT September 29, 2007 Children Nutritional Rescue is a starter pack with a copy of the Alpha Nutrition Program, the book, Feeding Children and one 500 Gram jar of Alpha ENF. You can try the nutrient formula, evaluate its effects and learn how you can use it as a tool of nutritional therapy. Starter packs are sold at a discount to make it easy and affordable for you to learn more and try out the formula. See Rescue Starter Pack Helping Children Website was developed by Alpha Education, a division of Environmed Research Inc. Sechelt, B.C., Canada. Online Since 1995. Experts in Self-Managed Care. Experts in Elemental Nutrient Formulas. Feeding Children, Children and Family were written by Stephen Gislason MD. The latest editions were released in 2011. The Alpha Nutrition Program is required reading when diet revision is required to solve children's diseases. Alpha Nutrition is a registered trademark of Environmed Research Inc. Orders for printed books and nutrient formulas are placed at Alpha Online for
mail delivery. eBook versions the books can be downloaded from
Persona Digital Online.
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