The FDA tells us that Wholistic Herbs Inc. is recalling all of its “Koff & Kold” spray with herbal extract and “Kold Sore” spray with liquid sea mineral. Continue reading Consumer Alert: “Koff & Kold” and “Kold Sore”
Category Archives: Cough
Symptomatic benefits of hot drinks for cold and flu
Researchers from Cardiff University, in the UK studied the effects of fruit drinks on nasal airflow and cold and flu symptoms.
Continue reading Symptomatic benefits of hot drinks for cold and flu
CAM to treat the cold and flu
Dr. Mark Moyad (photo) is Director of Preventive and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.
His recommendations. Continue reading CAM to treat the cold and flu
Vitamin B12 and unexplained cough
During the World Allergy Congress, researchers from the University of Turin, in Italy reported that a “deficiency of vitamin B12 might be a factor in unexplained chronic cough and dysfunction of the pharynx and larynx.” Continue reading Vitamin B12 and unexplained cough
Cold therapy to manage cough pain after heart surgery
Coughing is the most painful experience following heart surgery.
Researchers at the University of Ottawa, in Canada used cold therapy to help manage sternal incisional pain. Continue reading Cold therapy to manage cough pain after heart surgery
Treating cough with honey
Cough is a major cause of doctor visits among children and adults. It can impact quality of life, cause anxiety, and affect sleep for parents and their children.
Here’s a Cochrane review of the evidence supporting the use of honey to treat acute cough in children. Continue reading Treating cough with honey
Pelvic floor training for urinary incontinence
Stress incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine during a physical activity such as coughing or sneezing. It can happen if the pelvic floor muscles are weak.
Cochrane has reviewed the data on Kegel exercises in women. Continue reading Pelvic floor training for urinary incontinence
Flu season: Lower your risk
The Bastyr Center for Natural Health, in Seattle, Washington has published common sense recommendations.
Let’s focus on proactive actions to stay healthy. Continue reading Flu season: Lower your risk
Probiotic effects on cold and influenza symptoms
An international group of researchers report that taking a dietary probiotic for 6 months reduced the signs and symptoms of colds, and prescription drug use in children. Continue reading Probiotic effects on cold and influenza symptoms
Reducing swine flu transmission
Medscape has an interview with Dr. Georges Benjamin (photo), who is executive director of the American Public Health Association.
Highlights follow. Continue reading Reducing swine flu transmission
Facemasks reduce the spread of influenza-like illness
Influenza-like illness is similar to the flu, and more severe than cold-like symptoms.
Researchers from Australia report that it’s a challenge, but when parents wear a facemask they have a reduced risk of getting influenza-like symptoms from their children.
I’m reposting this entry because of its relevance to the swine flu epidemic. Continue reading Facemasks reduce the spread of influenza-like illness
Smoked medicinal cannabis for neuropathic pain in HIV
It was reportedly effective when used in addition to pain treatment in patients with medically refractory pain due to HIV.
But as Paul Harvey said, “Now, the rest of the story.” Continue reading Smoked medicinal cannabis for neuropathic pain in HIV
Lose weight, gain control over incontinence
Obesity correlates with urinary incontinence. Might weight loss be an effective treatment?
Researchers from across the US decided to find out. Continue reading Lose weight, gain control over incontinence
Consumer Alert: 40 more weight loss products
There are 80 drugs on the FDA list of weight loss products that contain undeclared drugs or chemicals.
Here’s the complete list, including 40 products added on January 8th. Continue reading Consumer Alert: 40 more weight loss products
Safety of American ginseng in children
In January, the FDA recommended that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products should not be used to treat infants and children less than 2 years of age because of serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.
But what about using ginseng in children from 3 to 12 years old? Continue reading Safety of American ginseng in children
Respiratory muscle strength training
Respiratory muscle strengthening programs are either inspiratory or expiratory and typically use handheld devices.
Dr. Christine Sapienza from the University of Florida in Gainesville tells us if it makes a difference. Continue reading Respiratory muscle strength training
Using speech pathology management to control chronic cough
It’s a viable alternative for patients who do not respond to medical treatment.
But what is “speech pathology?”
Continue reading Using speech pathology management to control chronic cough
Habit cough and the use of biofeedback
Let’s start by stating that “habit” cough is rare. Don’t jump to the conclusion that a cough lasting a month or so is “just” habit cough. See your doctor.
Because it’s rare there are no large clinical studies of treatment options. Here’s a case report where biofeedback and cognitive coping was effective.
Response to Ayurvedic herbal supplements among 9/11 survivors
Here are the results of a study of Ayurvedic herbal treatment for health problems caused by exposure to the toxic chemicals at Ground Zero and in lower Manhattan following the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.
Improvement during Ayurvedic herbal treatment was reported. Continue reading Response to Ayurvedic herbal supplements among 9/11 survivors
Comparing cannabis vs cigarettes on the lungs
Professor Richard Beasley from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand has studied the effects of marijuana on the lungs.
For chronic users, smoking just 1 joint is as bad for the lungs as 2.5 to 5 cigarettes. Continue reading Comparing cannabis vs cigarettes on the lungs