Help Ease Little Ones Cold Symptoms

Help Ease Your Little One’s Cold Symptoms

There’s no cure for the common cold (a viral infection that can’t be treated with antibiotics), says FDA pediatrician Amy M. Taylor, M.D., M.H.S. “A cold is self-limited, and most patients will get better on their own in a week or two without needing medications. For older children, some OTC medicines can help relieve the symptoms, but won’t change the natural course of the cold or make it go away faster,” Taylor says.

“Coughs help the body clear the mucus out of the airway and protect the lungs; so you don’t want to suppress all coughs,” Taylor adds. Non-drug treatments for coughs include drinking plenty of fluids, especially warm drinks to soothe the throat.

“Call your pediatrician at the first sign of illness whenever a baby three months or younger is sick,” Taylor advises. For all children, call if you see any of these symptoms:

• A fever in an infant three months or younger

• A fever of 102 degrees or higher at any age

• Signs of labored breathing

• Blue lips

• Not eating or drinking, with signs of dehydration

• Ear pain

• Excessive crankiness or sleepiness

• A cough that lasts for more than three weeks

• Worsening symptoms

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Are Your Medications and Supplements Expired?

Are Your Medications and Supplements Expired?

Expired medications can be less effective or even risky due to a change in chemical composition or a decrease in strength. Also, certain expired medications are at risk of bacterial growth. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is very clear: If a medicine is expired, you shouldn’t use it.

Expired medicines sitting in a home medicine cabinet are highly susceptible to being stolen and misused. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends. Having expired medicines around is not just a risk to the person for whom they were prescribed. If taken by mistake, children and pets can be injured.

Properly disposing of unneeded and expired medicines is important. Follow any specific disposal instructions that may be listed on the label. Do not flush them down the toilet. Ask your pharmacist. If available in your area, a drug take-back program is the preferred way to dispose of expired, unwanted or unused medicine.

Source: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Taking Your Medications as Directed

Taking Your Medications as Directed

It is estimated that three out of four Americans do not take their medication as directed.

Taking medication correctly may seem like a simple or personal matter, but non-adherence (or not taking medication as directed) is a complicated and common problem. People do not realize the real damage or consequences of non-adherence. When patients with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease do not take medication as directed, the repercussions can be severe. For instance, not keeping blood pressure in check can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

In sum, poor medication adherence takes the lives of 125,000 Americans annually.

There are many reasons why people are not able to take their medication as directed.

1. They may forget.

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3. They may not be convinced of the medication’s effectiveness or be unsure that it is working.

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5. They may fear the side effects or have difficulty taking the medication (especially with injections or inhalers).

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7. And we all know that the rising cost of prescription medications is a barrier for many.

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Some may face a combination of these reasons for not taking their medications. One person may face different barriers at different times as he or she manages his or her condition. Whatever the reason, you could miss out on potential benefits, quality of life improvements, and could lose protection against future illness or serious health complications.

Taking your medication as directed gives you the best opportunity to manage your chronic condition and maintain the best possible health for yourself. One of the best ways to meet your goal is to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the medications you are taking.

Your trusted health care professional can provide you with tips on how to manage your medications, including what to do if you miss a dose, if you can take them with other medications or vitamins, foods to avoid, and any possible side effects and interactions.

Establishing a strong relationship with your doctor or pharmacist can create an open environment where you feel comfortable asking questions and expressing concerns about a medication. Having a conversation with your doctor about how your medication impacts your chronic condition is crucial to managing your condition and taking back your health.

Remember, if you don’t take your medication as directed, you could be putting your present and future health at risk.

Source: American Heart Association