HEALTH TIPS

Children's Health : Cough & Cold

Health Condition

Children are not just mini-adults – they have their own specific nutritional needs, and face different health conditions.
Our children’s ability to fight and recover from illness is largely dependent on how well their immune system is functioning. A healthy immune system is crucial to their overall health and wellbeing, and also protects them from bugs that they are exposed to.

Symptoms

Cold viruses may cause:

• Nose and throat irritation

• Watery eyes

• Headaches

• Fever

• Chills

• Muscle aches

When flu takes hold, symptoms may be accompanied by:

• High fever

• Abdominal pain

• Enlarged lymph glands (in neck, armpits & groin)

• Hoarse cough

• Aching back, arms and leg

Causes

Both conditions, are spread through coughing and sneezing.
Poor hygiene especially kids that love to put their fingers into mouth.

Natural Therapies

Zinc is essential for healthy growth and development and healthy immune system function. Zinc may assist with reducing hyperactivity, and inattention in children.

Multivitamin supplements help to ensure children are getting enough of the key nutrients they need which may be difficult to obtain from food.

Vitamin C reduces the severity and duration of colds and flu.

Herbal cough mixtures containing herbs such as Ivy leaf extract, Licorice Echinacea, Marshmallow, Thyme and Cayenne help to clear mucus from the lungs and to relieve spasmodic, non-productive coughing.

Herbs Echinacea and Garlic have been traditionally used for colds and flu and their associated symptoms such as sore throat and coughs.

Dietary & Lifestyle recommendations

Diet tips:

Include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.

Ensure your children are eating adequate amounts of protein - ideally from lean meat, dairy products, chicken, fish (especially oily fish such as salmon, and tuna), nuts, seeds and eggs. Protein is necessary for tissue growth and repair, and is needed for healthy immune function.

Include yoghurt and bitter (usually well hidden) foods in the diet.

Avoid any known allergens – some of the most common problem foods include artificial colours and flavours, sugar, wheat (gluten), cow’s milk (casein) and salicylates.

Avoid fried and processed foods.

Avoid sugar, and sugary foods such as: as sweets/candies, chocolate, soft drinks, cakes, sweet biscuits, and sports drinks. Sugar acts as an immune suppressant, and can have a negative effect on children’s concentration, behaviour and weight.

Lifestyle tips:
Adequate sleep and rest is essential to children’s health and wellbeing. Sleep repairs the body and refreshes the mind. A lack of sleep can cause tiredness, and have a negative effect on concentration, memory, and physical coordination

Children, like plants, need sunshine. Try to have your children experience at least 15 minutes of sun exposure per day. Playing outdoors in natural environments may improve children’s learning, behaviour and concentration

It is recommended that children should not spend more than two hours per day in front of small screens such as TVs, computers, iPads, and mobile phones

Practice proper hand washing technique. Wash their hands before and after every meals.

Aim for a minimum of 30-60 minutes of exercise every day.

Other Information

Coughs and colds are amongst the most common childhood ailments and they are often not a major source of concern. But it is important that a distinction between acute and chronic conditions is made and, when symptoms persist for more than four weeks at a time, expert medical advice is sought and appropriate action taken.

For more information on products that are beneficial for kids health, please click on this link - http://www.blackmores.com.my/product-assistant-result?query=childrens-health&segment=products&filter=category

This health article is specially brought to you by our qualified naturopaths at Blackmores Malaysia.