No Cold Meds for Kids

In the past, we have always treated our children's cold symptoms with liquids and some good ole cough medications. Well, the old school of thought has been rejected in the new era of medicinal knowledge. A major drug manufacturer recently announced that they were pulling cold medications for kids under 4 years old. The reason? They felt it didn't have any significant benefits for young ones who caught the cold. This reasoning also has the FDA considering a ban on meds for children under the age of 6. This ban may take a year or so, but it poses a very serious question. Do our kids need cold meds? Experts agree the answer to that question is a wholehearted NO!

Learning from the past

When the manufacturers first made medication for children's cold symptoms, they did not run any clinical tests or trials. They assumed that the child's body was much like an adult's but just a smaller or GÇ£miniGÇ¥ version. This flawed thinking led them to believe that they could produce the same type of meds for children and adults alike. Decades later, they realize that children have different medicinal needs then full-grown adults (you would think that would be a no-brainer). It goes to show you how much the drug manufacturers really care about the consumer (but that is beyond the scope of this article).

Parents to blame?

Every year, thousands of children are rushed to the hospital due to overdoses from cold, flu or cough medication. This is mostly the parent's fault because they are the ones who give their kids the medication. Another mistake most parents make is giving their children more than one cough or cold medication at a time (a dosage their young and fragile bodies cannot tolerate). The reason most adults think it is ok to give their kids meds is that there is not enough public awareness of the dangers of cough and cold medications.

A happier & healthier child

So next time your little one gets sick, don't go reaching for the medicine cabinet. Instead, make sure your children recieve plenty of fluids, vitamins, a healthy diet, and (most importantly) much-needed rest. If they are still sick and their condition worsens, take them to the physician immediately for a thorough diagnosis. This will ensure that if there are other complications (such as Pneumonia or bacterial infection) they will be treated early and with greater effectiveness. It is better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to the kiddies.

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