How to Soothe Coughs For the Whole Family

(NewsUSA) - Families know that a hacking cough can echo throughout the home and prevent the entire house from getting a good night's sleep -- a big contributing factor to household stress. Plus, parents can be just as stubborn as children about taking the necessary cough medicine.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the common cold is the number one reason why children miss school. Children catch six to 10 colds a year, while adults catch two to four, and coughing is a major symptom.

"In healthy people, coughing is a useful reflex that keeps our air ducts clear. But it also spreads germs and interrupts sleep. This further weakens the immune system, making us more vulnerable to a secondary infection," says Dr. Jim LaValle, clinical pharmacist and founder of LaValle Metabolic Institute. LaValle offers key advice for treating family coughs:

Honey: Myth or truth? According to a study published in the "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine," Grandma was right. A teaspoon of honey before bed seems to calm coughs so sufferers sleep better. Honey is rich in antioxidants and soothes irritation.

Opt for expectorants rather than suppressants. Coughs should be treated with an expectorant to clear out mucus. An expectorant encourages the body to get rid of phlegm quickly. Suppressants, however, suppress the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Read the labels. Manufacturers of decongestants, antihistamines and cough suppressants recently relabeled these medications, instructing parents not to use them in children younger than age four. The move followed a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel that questioned the safety and efficacy of these medications' use in kids under six years old.

"One of the safest over-the-counter options I recommend is a cough syrup that combines honey and homeopathic medicines, Chestal," says LaValle. "It doesn't contain any of the ingredients in question by the FDA."

From the makers of Oscillococcinum, a natural flu medicine relied upon by families worldwide, Chestal is safe for everyone ages two and up. Also available as Children's Chestal, the kid-friendly honey base soothes the throat while the blend of safe homeopathic medicines loosens congestion. For more info on relieving all types of common coughs, visit www.chestal.com.

"Article By: NewsUSA"