Medicine for Baby's Allergic Cough Has No Effect
Cough Medicine Waste of Time and Money for Toddlers
Millions of parents give their toddlers cough medicine each year, but a new study suggests it's a waste of time and money.
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that over-the-counter cough medicines are no more effective than a placebo in relieving the symptoms of a cough in children aged 2 to 4 years.
The researchers studied 180 children with a cough who were given either a placebo or one of two common cough medicines: dextromethorphan or guaifenesin. The children were followed for up to two weeks, and their parents were asked to rate the severity of their cough symptoms each day.
The results showed that there was no significant difference in the severity of cough symptoms between the children who took the placebo and those who took the cough medicine.
"Our study found that over-the-counter cough medicines are no more effective than a placebo in relieving the symptoms of a cough in young children," said Dr. Jonathan Casey, the lead author of the study. "This suggests that parents should not give their young children cough medicine."
Casey said the study's findings are important because cough medicine is commonly used by parents to treat their children's coughs. He said the study's results should give parents pause before giving their children cough medicine.
"Parents should be aware that over-the-counter cough medicines are not effective in treating coughs in young children," Casey said. "They should also be aware that cough medicine can have side effects, such as drowsiness and nausea."
Casey said parents should instead focus on treating the underlying cause of their child's cough. For example, if the cough is caused by a cold, parents can give their child a cold medicine to help relieve the symptoms. If the cough is caused by allergies, parents can give their child an allergy medicine to help reduce the allergic reaction.
"If your child has a cough, the best thing to do is to see a doctor to determine the underlying cause," Casey said. "Once the underlying cause is treated, the cough will usually go away on its own."
Coughing is a Natural Reflex
Coughing is a natural reflex that helps to clear the throat and lungs of mucus, dust, and other irritants. Coughing can be caused by a variety of factors, including colds, allergies, and asthma.
In most cases, coughing is not a serious problem and will go away on its own within a few days. However, if your child has a cough that is severe or persistent, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor if your child has a cough that is:
Severe or persistent
Accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath, or wheezing
Not improving after a few days
Interferes with your child's sleep or daily activities
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your child's symptoms. Your doctor may also order tests, such as a chest X-ray or a blood test, to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Treatment for Cough
The treatment for cough depends on the underlying cause. For example, if the cough is caused by a cold, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter cold medicines to help relieve the symptoms. If the cough is caused by allergies, your doctor may recommend allergy medicines to help reduce the allergic reaction.
In most cases, coughing is not a serious problem and will go away on its own within a few days. However, if your child has a cough that is severe or persistent, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Tips for Relieving Your Child's Cough
There are a number of things you can do to help relieve your child's cough, including:
Giving your child plenty of fluids to help loosen mucus
Using a humidifier to add moisture to the air
Giving your child a warm bath to help loosen mucus
Elevating your child's head while sleeping to help prevent mucus from dripping down the throat
Avoiding smoking around your child
Keeping your child away from other sick people
If your child's cough is severe or persistent, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
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