Treating Coughs

Everywhere you go, I bet you hear someone coughing. Coughing is irritating but it's your body's way to get rid of material that builds up in your lungs and upper airway passages. I know the first thing you want to do to stop your child's cough is head to your local pharmacy and buy an over the counter cough medicine. Remember, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend using cough medicines in children under the age of 6. I know people swear by over the counter medicines but research shows they are not very effective in treating cough & cold symptoms in adults. So why would they work in children? One of the best treatments for a cough is honey. A child over the age of one year may have a teaspoon of honey to help with a nighttime cough. There are several products on the market and it seems that any type of honey will help your child feel better. You can also place a cool mist humidifier in your child's room at night to add some moisture to the air. Dry heat can only irritate your child's airways. I know, I sound like a broken record, but many of the viral illnesses going around right now are best treated with plenty of fluids, rest and time. And, a little patience goes a long way too. I'm Dr. Sue with The Kid's Doctor helping parents take charge!