Rational Medication: Children Under 6 Years Old Should Be Cautious In Using Cough, Expectorant And Cold Medicines

In the face of children's cough and phlegm, many parents' first reaction may be to find cough medicine, expectorants or even cold medicine to alleviate the symptoms. However, the general voice of the medical community is that for children under the age of 6, the use of these drugs should be cautious, and even avoided in some cases. This is not groundless, but based on deep concern for the healthy growth of children and rigorous conclusions of scientific research.

First of all, we need to be clear that the use of cough medicines, expectorants and most cold medicines in children under 6 years of age is often not ideal, and may even bring potential harm. Although these drugs can alleviate cough and other symptoms to a certain extent, the potential risks - such as liver and kidney injury, allergic reaction, and impact on the absorption of other important nutrients - far exceed the small benefits they may bring. As pointed out in many medical journals and guidelines, for children with acute cough, the effect of cough medicines and expectorants is not better than that of natural therapies such as honey, and there are side effects that cannot be ignored.

So why do parents still have these drugs to choose from on the market, and even doctors sometimes prescribe them? There are many factors behind this, including the lag of doctors' knowledge updating, the medication habits among peers, parents' desire for quick results, the inertia operation in the hospital management system, and some benefit driven factors. However, in any case, parents should keep rational thinking when facing children's health problems, not blindly follow the trend, but make decisions based on new medical research results and professional guidance.

It is important to realize that cough itself is not a disease, but a self-protection mechanism for the body to respond to external stimuli. It helps to remove foreign matters and secretions in the respiratory tract and prevent the spread of infection. Therefore, when facing children with cough, the first thing we should do is to find out the root causes of cough, such as colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, and treat these diseases. Instead of simply pursuing the effect of relieving cough, it ignores the more serious health problems that may exist behind it.

At the same time, parents can relieve the discomfort caused by children's cough through some home care methods. For example, for children over one year old, honey can be given appropriately to relieve cough; Children over the age of five can try hard candy or cold drinks to relieve throat discomfort. These methods are safe and effective without additional health risks.

In short, it is our common responsibility to protect the healthy growth of children. In the face of children's cough, phlegm and other symptoms, we should keep calm and rational, follow scientific parenting concepts and methods, and avoid blind use of cough medicines, expectorants, cold medicines and other drugs that may cause potential harm. Through reasonable home care and professional medical guidance, children can better get through this episode of growth.