Cough Syrup for Children: When a child has a cough, parents are often the first to take action. Giving cough syrup. But child disease experts say that doing so is not always right. Excessive cough medicines can cause harm to children instead of benefiting them. Not only do they hide the real cause, but sometimes they can also cause serious side effects or poison-like effects. According to doctors, proper treatment of cough in children is possible only if its cause is first understood. Sometimes simple home remedies are enough to provide relief. Medicines should be used only in necessary circumstances and on the advice of a doctor.

Every cough does not require medicine

Often cough in children is caused by viral infections, such as cold or flu. It gets cured on its own in a few days. Cough syrup only hides the symptoms, not the cause. Because of this, the actual disease is identified late, especially if the cough is due to asthma, allergy or any serious infection.

Too much cough medicine can become poison

Most cough medicines contain ingredients such as decongestants, antihistamines, or sometimes codeine. Their excessive quantity can cause problems like sleepiness, dizziness, increased heartbeat, nausea or difficulty in breathing in the child. Children’s body is more sensitive to medicines, so even a small overdose can have serious effects.

Children digest medicines differently

Compared to adults, the liver and kidneys of children are not fully developed. Because of this, medicines remain in their body for a longer time and are more effective. The dose which is normal for adults can be more effective in children. That’s why doctors always give medicines to children on the basis of weight, and not by guesswork.

Home remedies are safer and more effective

Doctors say that easy home remedies are more beneficial for mild cough. Giving honey to children above one year of age soothes the throat and reduces night cough. Warm soup, herbal tea or plain warm water coats the throat and reduces irritation. Inhaling steam or putting a few drops of salt water in the nose reduces congestion. Along with this, drinking plenty of water and taking adequate rest helps the body in its own recovery. These remedies are cheap, safe and without any side effects.

When is cough syrup necessary?

Doctors may prescribe cough syrup in certain circumstances, such as allergic cough, whooping cough or bacterial infection that requires antibiotics. But even then the doctor decides the quantity, duration and type of medicine. Giving medicine to children on your own without consultation can be very dangerous. Dr Jaikishan Tripathi, consultant pediatric critical care, told TOI that “Cough is a defense response of the body, which expels mucus and dirt from the lungs. Trying to suppress it excessively can be harmful.”

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Cough Syrup Safe Age: India is a country where if someone in the house falls ill, you will find three-four people in the same house or nearby who will advise you that this medicine will be fine, this medicine cured my or my child’s illness. After this, people buy that medicine without doctor’s advice. Recently, cough syrup has taken the lives of many people in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Many dangerous chemicals were found in it. In such a situation, let us tell you what is the right age to give cough syrup to children.

What is the right age?

When cough syrup should be given and when not, this remains a big question for parents. Experts say that both the effect and side effects of the medicine can be stronger in small children, hence giving cough syrup without doctor’s advice can be dangerous. According to America’s FDA (Food and Drug Administration), any type of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under two years of age, because they also have many side effects. The Indian government has recently banned the use of some cough syrups for children under 4 years of age due to safety reasons. Dr. Sanjay Jain, a pediatrician at a superspeciality clinic based in Bhopal, says that most cases of cold and cough get cured on their own. You can cure this by giving adequate rest to the body and drinking lukewarm water. Syrup is not always needed. Doctors say that most cough in children is caused by allergies. Doctors say that children younger than four years should never give syrup on their own.

What is the alternative to syrup?

If your child has problem of cough, then it can be cured by drinking water, taking steam and if he is older than one year, then by giving honey. If there is a lot of problem, then only syrup or medicine should be taken and that too after consulting a doctor. In simple words, in case of cough and cold in small children, the safest option is to rely on home remedies and doctor’s care. The World Health Organization (WHO) report states that cough and cold medicines should be used with caution in children under 5 years of age because the benefits of these medicines are less and the risk of harm is higher.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

Check out below Health Tools-
Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

Calculate The Age Through Age Calculator