Colds are all sick: adults and children. Cough is the most common manifestation of respiratory diseases. Cough, as well as fever, is a protective reaction of the body. It promotes the purification of the respiratory tract from all foreign that it can get there. A congenital cough reflex is present in every child. A moist, or productive cough, removes the mucosal secretion formed by inflammation of the respiratory tract.
Expectorants for children
Our pharmacological industry constantly replenishes pharmacies with new and new medicines for colds, including expectorants. These are syrups, potions, drops and tablets. Understand all this is sometimes difficult for the doctor, especially since from the TV screens there is a constant, annoying advertising of these medicines. Let's see what expectorant drugs can be used for children.
Expectorants called such drugs, which are prescribed for coughing without the allocation of viscous and thick sputum. Most often these preparations are of vegetable origin. These include:
- gedelix, which includes an extract of ivy leaves. This medicine is available in the form of drops and syrup, and can be administered even to the smallest babies for up to a year. For babies, the preparation should be diluted in water;
- syrup "Doctor MOM" is a combined preparation consisting of eleven medicinal plants. It can be prescribed for treatment of an expectorant cough to a child only from the age of three;
- tablets mukaltin (root extract of althea) are prescribed to children from three years of age. For babies up to a year, their use is not recommended;
- syrup with licorice root extract contains ethyl alcohol, so children up to six years old are bred with water before intake;
- expectorant syrup for children "Pertussin" is used in ARI, bronchitis, whooping cough.
Expectorant herbs for children
To treat wet cough in children, the doctor can prescribe the expectorant herbs reception: marshmallow, licorice, coltsfoot, oregano, plantain, sage, anise. Licorice root is used in the form of syrup, herbs of thermopsis, oregano and peppermint - in the form of broths, chamomile - for inhalation and rinsing of the throat. However, the use of herbs should be carried out with great care, as the child may have an allergic reaction to them. Baking soda is also widely used as an expectorant for children. With her drink warm milk, rinse your throat, make inhalation.
Sputum is the main component of a damp cough, along with it pathogenic microorganisms are excreted from the child's body. In the nursery children for sputum discharge, chest massage and frequent changes in the position of the baby's body are used. The child should be taught as early as possible to expectorated sputum, so that her stagnation in the airways does not arise.
We all know that self-medication is harmful to our health, and for the health of the child - even more so. Therefore, a pediatrician should treat any cold. Only he will prescribe medications suitable for treating a cough, depending on your child's age and condition. You can not use funds on the advice of friends or seen in television commercials. Incorrect use of medicines can negatively affect the health of the child, strengthening the already existing inflammatory process and causing serious complications.