Back to School Health Hacks: Crush Colds & Coughs with Ease!

Back to school is almost over, fall is settling in and temperatures are dropping… a transition period that can be tiring and weaken our bodies and our natural defenses. It’s best to react quickly if you feel a cold or cough coming on, so be prepared and have a solution at hand.

1. COLD

With no surprise, cold is the most common infection which comes back with school or day care! Some symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing. Common cold does not require antibiotics but here are some tips to relieve it:

• Nasal rinse with a suitable solution is recommended as a first line of defense.
• Give your children packages of tissue so they can blow their nose and can change them often.
• Air-out your home regularly. A confined interior encourages the proliferation of viruses.
• Teach your children to wash their hands often.

Our essential to keep at hand for cold: Coryzalia!
Coryzalia by Boiron is a homeopathic medicine for 1 month, used for colds and cold symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose and rhinitis (acute, recurrent, infectious or allergic)*.

Available in easy-to-administer drinkable unit-doses, Coryzalia is sugar-free, dye-free, and preservative-free. Its neutral taste facilitates the take and helps the child to have his smile back.

*Notice: this claim is based on traditional homeopathic references and not modern scientific evidence.

2. COUGH

Coughs are common during childhood respiratory infections. On average, over a one-year period, children in good health have 7 to 10 bouts of upper respiratory tract infection that can cause a cough¹.

What is a cough?

A cough is not a disease, but a natural bodily reaction after the respiratory tract has come into contact with external agents (bacteria, viruses, pollution) or allergens (pollen).

It is a defense reflex that allows you to expel a foreign body or bronchial secretions via the respiratory tract. Cough is a symptom to be mindful of. It may indicate a viral or bacterial respiratory tract infection (rhinopharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, acute bronchitis).

DRY OR WET COUGH? IN BRIEF…

• If you are coughing up phlegm, you have a wet cough.
• If you are not coughing up anything, you have a dry cough.

These two types of coughs can also be differentiated by their very different sounds.

How to relieve simple coughs? Here are a few tips²:

When suffering from a cough, it is important to stay hydrated to thin out mucus. Here are few tips:

• Gargle at least once every hour with 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt dissolved in 240 ml (8 oz) of warm water.
• Moisten the air to prevent further irritation of mucous membranes. The humidity in the room should be kept at 55%.
• Stay hydrated. Drink water and hot beverages with lemon and honey.
• Elevate the head of your bed in case of nocturnal coughing.

Try Stodal to relieve dry or wet coughs*

Boiron homeopathic syrup, available for children ages 1 to 11 as well as adults, can be a good solution to provide relief from dry or wet coughs, irritating coughs or coughs with phlegm*. Stodal Honey is a syrup made from real honey, which does not contain coloring and does not cause drowsiness. A must in the family pharmacy!

Your child suffers from cold and cough at the same time? Try Stodal multi-symptoms by Boiron! For children from 1 year, it’s used for cold symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, minor sore throat, dry or wet cough and chest congestion*. This Boiron homeopathic syrup is non-drowsy and dye-free.

*Notice: this claim is based on traditional homeopathic references and not modern scientific evidence.

Of course, in case of fever or if symptoms persist or worsen, consult a health care practitioner.

Back to School can be a complicated time of the year but we hope you feel more comfortable now!  We wish you a happy back to school to you and your family!

References:
1. Source: Shield MD et al. BTS guidelines: recommendations for the assessment and management of cough in children. Thorax 2008; 63 (suppl) iii5-iii15
2. Toux: Les 20 meilleurs remèdes naturels efficaces contre la toux (selection.ca)

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