Natural remedies help kids breathe easy
(ARA) - For millions of adults and children, warm weather means it's time to devote attention to nasal health. Just as you want to spend more time outside, the higher temperatures make greater attention to healthy breathing a must.
Parents are rightfully concerned about their children's respiratory health. Add to that the recent concerns over the safety and effectiveness of children's cold remedies and now many parents are thinking twice before opening the medicine cabinet to treat their little ones.
A new survey conducted in March 2009 by Harris Interactive shows that while 90 percent of parents claim to be at least somewhat knowledgeable about the possible dangers associated with over-the-counter cough and cold medicine for children, 62 percent still give these products to children when they are experiencing cough and cold symptoms.
"It's very concerning to me that so many parents are still giving their children these OTC cough and cold products with the possible associated dangers and the question of their effectiveness in children," says Marcela Dominguez, MD, certified family medicine physician, Orange County, Calif.
While the FDA is now recommending parents not give OTC medicines to children younger than 4, more parents than ever are looking for ways to proactively support their children's respiratory health and immune systems. Keeping kids healthy has become the universal objective rather than awaiting illness and then attempting a rescue.
"Evidence shows that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines likely don't work for very young children, and can, in fact, create potentially lethal side effects," says Dr. Bob Sears, a noted pediatrician. "Overdosing and side effects of cough and cold medicines send about 7,000 children to the emergency room each year."
Just last fall the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine released survey results that found 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of children were using complementary and alternative medicines. The new Harris survey shows that the desire to use these remedies is high and that the public might be using natural remedies more if the products had credible information (a proven track record and clinical testing) to support their claims.
Staying healthy is the safest approach and easier than you think. Here are some tips to keep your kids breathing easier, naturally this summer:
Tip 1: Use a saline solution to flush noses. Look on the Internet for directions on how to do this, or use a premade kit that includes a squeeze bottle or a Neti pot, available at many drug stores.
Tip 2: When your child plays outside, remove his clothing when he comes in. You might consider showering children to rinse pollen from their skin and hair. Close doors and windows at night or any other time when there are high pollen counts.
Tip 3: Use natural, non-drug remedies to keep kids healthy such as Sinupret for Kids. This helps promotes healthy drainage in the upper respiratory tract, improves airflow in the nose, and supports healthy mucous flow in the nose and sinuses.
Tip 4: Take a multivitamin to support overall health. There are many chewable options for children that taste great.
"While natural, herbal remedies have been in use around the world for generations -- Sinupret has been a staple in Europe for 30 years -- they are just coming into their own in the United States," Sears says. This syrup is not a drug, but is a natural remedy for healthy sinus, respiratory and immune support in children ages 2 to 12. It does not contain stimulants, caffeine, ephedra, pseudoephedrine, codeine, steroids, narcotics or gluten.
"Parents are looking for a natural and safe approach to support their kids' respiratory health, and they need to know if the herbal remedies they are considering have a long track record of effectiveness and lack of any harmful side effects," Sears says.
Sinupret for Kids syrup is now available at more than 25,000 retail locations across the country, including Wal-Mart. Visit www.SinupretForKids.com to learn more
(ARA) - For millions of adults and children, warm weather means it's time to devote attention to nasal health. Just as you want to spend more time outside, the higher temperatures make greater attention to healthy breathing a must.
Parents are rightfully concerned about their children's respiratory health. Add to that the recent concerns over the safety and effectiveness of children's cold remedies and now many parents are thinking twice before opening the medicine cabinet to treat their little ones.
A new survey conducted in March 2009 by Harris Interactive shows that while 90 percent of parents claim to be at least somewhat knowledgeable about the possible dangers associated with over-the-counter cough and cold medicine for children, 62 percent still give these products to children when they are experiencing cough and cold symptoms.
"It's very concerning to me that so many parents are still giving their children these OTC cough and cold products with the possible associated dangers and the question of their effectiveness in children," says Marcela Dominguez, MD, certified family medicine physician, Orange County, Calif.
While the FDA is now recommending parents not give OTC medicines to children younger than 4, more parents than ever are looking for ways to proactively support their children's respiratory health and immune systems. Keeping kids healthy has become the universal objective rather than awaiting illness and then attempting a rescue.
"Evidence shows that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines likely don't work for very young children, and can, in fact, create potentially lethal side effects," says Dr. Bob Sears, a noted pediatrician. "Overdosing and side effects of cough and cold medicines send about 7,000 children to the emergency room each year."
Just last fall the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine released survey results that found 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of children were using complementary and alternative medicines. The new Harris survey shows that the desire to use these remedies is high and that the public might be using natural remedies more if the products had credible information (a proven track record and clinical testing) to support their claims.
Staying healthy is the safest approach and easier than you think. Here are some tips to keep your kids breathing easier, naturally this summer:
Tip 1: Use a saline solution to flush noses. Look on the Internet for directions on how to do this, or use a premade kit that includes a squeeze bottle or a Neti pot, available at many drug stores.
Tip 2: When your child plays outside, remove his clothing when he comes in. You might consider showering children to rinse pollen from their skin and hair. Close doors and windows at night or any other time when there are high pollen counts.
Tip 3: Use natural, non-drug remedies to keep kids healthy such as Sinupret for Kids. This helps promotes healthy drainage in the upper respiratory tract, improves airflow in the nose, and supports healthy mucous flow in the nose and sinuses.
Tip 4: Take a multivitamin to support overall health. There are many chewable options for children that taste great.
"While natural, herbal remedies have been in use around the world for generations -- Sinupret has been a staple in Europe for 30 years -- they are just coming into their own in the United States," Sears says. This syrup is not a drug, but is a natural remedy for healthy sinus, respiratory and immune support in children ages 2 to 12. It does not contain stimulants, caffeine, ephedra, pseudoephedrine, codeine, steroids, narcotics or gluten.
"Parents are looking for a natural and safe approach to support their kids' respiratory health, and they need to know if the herbal remedies they are considering have a long track record of effectiveness and lack of any harmful side effects," Sears says.
Sinupret for Kids syrup is now available at more than 25,000 retail locations across the country, including Wal-Mart. Visit www.SinupretForKids.com to learn more