Editorial

Simple treatments best for cough, colds and the flu

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Despite the deluge of cold medicine advertising that we are subject to this time of year, usually the best treatment is the simplest.

First it was cold medicines intended for children younger than 2. Those drugs were voluntarily removed by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association after they were deemed prone to "misuse by overdose."

A few days later, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended that parents also discontinue the use of cough and cold medicines for kids up to age six.

Now comes word that natural honey is a more effective remedy for children's coughs than over-the-counter medicines. According to a study, a dose of buckwheat honey before bedtime easily outperformed a cough suppressant.

It did a better job of reducing the severity and frequency of night-time coughs, and also improved sleep quality for children and their parents.

Dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in many cough mixtures, had no significant impact on symptoms.

Health experts, however, say honey should not be given to children under the age of one, due to the risk of the bacteria Clostridum botulinum.

But honey is one of the oldest remedies, often mixed with lemon, ginger or brandy as a cough medicine.


The best option, however, is not getting sick in the first place.

Dr. Joannn Schaefer of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services points out that Dec. 2-8 is National Hand Washing Awareness Week.

"If you don't wash your hands, viruses could be transmitted every time you tough your eyes, nose or mouth," she said. "Hand washing doesn't take much time or effort, but it offers great rewards in terms of preventing illness. Adopting this simple habit can play a major role in protecting your health."

Viruses and bacteria are on everything you touch, and most of them don't bother us -- unless we catch something like influenza or are very young, very old, or have a compromised immune system.

To properly wash your hands:

* Wet your hands with warm, running water and lather well with soap.

* rub your hands vigorously together for 20 seconds (singing the Happy Birthday song twice is about right).

* Rinse well.

* Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.

* Use a towel to turn off the faucet.

An alcohol-based hand sanitizer is an alternative to hand-washing when soap and water aren't available, Dr. Schaefer said.

To use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

* Apply about half-teaspoon of the product to the palm of your hands.

* Rub hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they're dry.

For a funny video on the need for hand washing, and another video on proper hand washing, go to:

http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/newsroom/features/hand-washing.htm


Of course, for the final word, contact your doctor or health care provider.

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