A cough, also known as tussis is a sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic contraction of the thoracic cavity, resulting in violent release of air from the lungs, and usually accompanied by a distinctive sound. Coughing is an action the body takes to get rid of substances that are irritating the air passages.
The so-called purple pill, known popularly as Nexium and and esomeprazole to physicians, did not reduce asthma symptoms in patients who did not have symptoms of heartburn. – The predominance of heartburn among asthma sufferers led many specialists to suspect that acid reflux could be a trigger for the coughing, wheezing and breathlessness of asthma.
New survey shows parents are still using pediatric over-the-counter cough and cold medications, even when they know about the possible dangers. – A new survey conducted in March 2009 by Harris Interactive? and commissioned by Bionorica shows that while 90% of parents claim to be at least somewhat knowledgeable about the level of effectiveness and the possible dangers associated with over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products for children, 62% still give these products to children when they are experiencing cough and cold symptoms.
Tuberculosis – deadly ancient disease knocking on Australia’s door – Many Australians probably think tuberculosis (TB) is a disease of the past. They are wrong. TB is sitting on Australia’s doorstep, with the fastest growing incidence found in South East Asia.
New advice for the treatment of cough and colds in children issued in UK. – Responding to guidance issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), advising that cough and cold treatments should not be used for children under 6 years of age, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) has issued the following advice to parents.
Vicks VapoRub – Popular cold and cough treatment may create respiratory distress in young children. – Vicks VapoRub, the popular salve used to relieve symptoms of cough and congestion, may be harmful for infants and toddlers.
Parents of new babies should be considered for a whooping cough booster to prevent rapidly fatal invasive pertussis in babies and newborns. – A booster vaccination for parents of new babies and other household members may be the most effective way of preventing the fatal form of whooping cough in young infants, say a group of paediatric intensive care doctors on bmj.com today.
Statement from CHPA on the Voluntary Label Updates to Oral OTC Children?s Cough and Cold Medicines – The following statement was issued by Linda Suydam, president of Consumer Healthcare Products Association, USA, on the Voluntary Label Updates to Oral OTC Children’s Cough and Cold Medicines.
If your first cigarette gave you a buzz and you now smoke, a gene may be to blame; Link between initial smoking pleasure, lifetime smoking habits and variation in nicotine receptor gene found by U-M-led team. – Anyone who has ever tried smoking probably remembers that first cigarette vividly. For some, it brought a wave of nausea or a nasty coughing fit. For others, those first puffs also came with a rush of pleasure or “buzz.”
Parents are dosing up their babies on over-the-counter medicines, despite concerns some are dangerous, an Australian-first study found. – More than 40% of parents have used cough medicine for children younger than two ? even though it is not recommended, nor proven effective for children in this age group, an Australia-first study has found.
Oral administration of the purple passion fruit peel extract reduces wheeze and cough and improves shortness of breath in adults with asthma – Passion fruit peel can significantly improve the symptoms of asthma. Patients given an extract from the Purple passion fruit’s peel had reduced wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, due to anti-oxidant, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties of Purple passion fruit.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) vaccine Rotarix for use in infants. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of Rotarix, the second oral U.S. licensed vaccine for the prevention of rotavirus, an infection that causes gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) in infants and children. Rotarix is a liquid and given in a two-dose series to infants from 6 to 24 weeks of age.
A new drug telmisartan is as effective as the popular drug ramipril in reducing cardiovascular death in high risk patients and it has fewer side effects. – A major Canadian-led global study has found that a new blood pressure medication is effective in reducing cardiovascular death, with fewer side effects than the current standard of care. The study found a new drug telmisartan is as effective as the popular drug ramipril in reducing cardiovascular death in high risk patients and it has fewer side effects.
