Over The Counter Drugs Can Be Harmful To Your Children

Parents have recently been hit with shocking information about the potential dangers to their children.  First it was lead contamination that came from toys that were manufactured by some of our most trusted companies.  Next, it was super antibiotic resistant bugs that may lurk in day care centers and schools.  The latest information is of greatest concern.  Every study performed in the recent years has found that children’s cough and cold remedies are ineffective and may, in fact, be potentially dangerous.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended against the use of multi-symptom, over-the-counter, cold medicines in children under the age of three unless the parents are advised by a physician. 

Many parents have depended on these medicines for years to help with runny noses, coughs, and sleep disruptions.  However, our kids are not the first generation to suffer from frequent respiratory troubles.  Herbal and dietary remedies have been the first line of defense for centuries, with Elderberry being rich in flavonoids, essential oils, vitamin C and organic acids.  It reduces mucous secretions, helps ease breathing, and soothes an irritated nose and throat. 

If your child frequently deals with a runny nose, earache, and sinus infection, he or she may have hidden food intolerances.  One doctor states that there are various ways that you can recognize hidden childhood allergies.  A classic symptom is the “allergic salute”, which the child demonstrates when he is constantly rubbing his or her hand across the end of a runny nose. 

Food allergies are difficult to determine with standard allergy testing, but by avoiding common allergic provoking foods like dairy, wheat, corn, and tree nuts, often brings relief to the child.  Changing the family diet is the best way to eliminate offending foods.  Replace all forms of sugar and other refined carbohydrates, as they slow down bowel transit time and increase exposure to toxic bowel contents.  Natural sweeteners, which can be found in most health food stores, can be used instead.  Since dairy products top the list of provoking foods, they should be replaced as much as possible with other beverages.  Inspect labels carefully to determine if they contain casein, which is a milk protein that often causes problems.  A liquid calcium supplement is a good idea to give your children if they are not receiving dairy products.

Allergic children are often prone to digestive problems, which is a condition referred to as intestinal dysbiosis.  Antibiotic use disturbs the microflora in the gut by killing helpful bacteria.  Psychological stress can also impact microflora, which poses the question of whether or not stress is having a negative impact on our children’s health.  Studies in which some children were placed in a stress relieving program showed that treated groups of children increased their levels of secretary IgA, which gives them a greater ability to resist colds. 

Allergic children also have disturbed bowel function, making them constipated, frequently pass gas, be bloated, and have foul smelling hard stools.  A low fiber diet is one cause of constipation, but an imbalance in microflora in the gut is another reason, which causes toxins to enter circulation.  Supplementing with Bifidobacteria and other helpful probiotics can restore normal gut function, alleviate allergic symptoms, restore immune competence, and reduce allied bowel problems.  Supplementing with fiber can also support proper elimination of toxins in children as well as adults.  Acidophilus, fiber, and herbal cold aids can be found at your local vitamin store.