Name Brand vs. Generic Cold Medicines

Question:What's the difference between name brand and generic cold medicines in the store, and how do you know which product to buy your child when there are so many choices? How do you get rid of that chronic cough the kids have that just won't go away? It's so hard to get the kids to use things that will help them get rid of what's in their chest.

Answer:

A typical cold lasts 7-14 days, with runny nose primarily in the first few days, and cough starting later and persisting longer. It's important to remember that a cold is caused by a virus, and there currently are no good antiviral treatments available that will shorten the length of a cold. The cold remedies you will find in most pharmacies are intended to treat the symptoms of the cold, but will not make the cold go away.

There are four major classes of cold medications.

• Decongestantsare supposed to improve nasal stuffiness and allow a child to breath more easily through the nose. Active ingredients include pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. The major side effect is that they can cause sleeplessness, and tend to "wake you up". Sometimes, young children can have an opposite reaction, and get very drowsy after taking them.
• Antihistaminesare used to help improve a runny nose, however medical evidence shows that while they are definitely helpful in stopping a runny nose caused by allergies, they are not particularly useful in stopping a runny nose caused by a cold. Active ingredients include chlorpheniramine, bromopheniramine, and diphenhydramine. The major side effect of this class of drugs is sedation. Many people get very sleepy after taking antihistamines. Young children sometimes have an opposite reaction and get very excited after taking them.
• Cough suppressantsdecrease the frequency and intensity of a cough. They work by telling your brain not to cough as much. When used in excess, they can cause sedation, but have minimal side effects if used in normal doses. The most common active ingredient in cough suppressants is dextromethorphan.
• Expectorantsthin the mucous that accumulates in the throat and upper airway, making it easier to cough up the mucous. The most common active ingredient is guafenesin. There is no scientific evidence to show that these truly help.

The first thing to remember is that when large studies have been done, they have not shown that any cold medications really help. So, my first recommendation is to avoid using them at all. If you feel you must use an over the counter cold medication, figure out which symptom of the cold you really want to improve, and then get a cold medicine that "treats" that specific symptom. For example, you can buy a decongestant alone, rather than getting a remedy that has a decongestant, cough suppressant, and an expectorant in it. Similarly, do not buy a multi-symptom cold reliever if the only problem is cough. A cough suppressant alone would be better.

• If nasal congestion is the major problem, consider using a decongestant nasal spray rather than an oral medicine. This way the medicine is going right to where it is needed, and there are fewer side effects. The spray should only be used for 3 or 4 days.
• Only give the cold remedy for 2 or 3 days, when the symptoms are at their peak. Prolonged use can lead to more side effects and complications.
• If your child has chronic respiratory problems such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, you should talk with your doctor before giving cold medications.
• Don't give cold medicines to infants (children under 1 year of age). Only give the dosage that is recommended on the package. More is not necessarily better. The dosage is usually based on your child's weight, and excessive amounts can cause greater side effects.
• The generic cold medicines are just as effective (or ineffective) as the name brand ones.

There are other things that you can do to make your child feel better during a cold that don't involve buying medications. Keeping the air in the room moist with a humidifier helps to prevent a scratchy throat and dry nose. Make sure your child is drinking large amounts of liquids, and getting a full night's sleep. An extra nap may also help.

Vitamins that is good for your body

If you're like most kids, you've probably heard at least one parent say, "Don't forget to take your vitamin!" "Eat your salad — it's packed with vitamins!" But what exactly are vitamins?

Vitamins and minerals are substances that are found in foods we eat. Your body needs them to work properly, so you grow and develop just like you should. When it comes to vitamins, each one has a special role to play. For example:

• Vitamin D in milk helps your bones.
• Vitamin A in carrots helps you see at night.
• Vitamin C in oranges helps your body heal if you get a cut.
• B vitamins in leafy green vegetables help your body make protein and energy.

Vitamins Hang Out in Water and Fat

There are two types of vitamins: fat soluble and water soluble.

When you eat foods that contain fat-soluble vitamins, the vitamins are stored in the fat tissues in your body and in your liver. They wait around in your body fat until your body needs them.

Fat-soluble vitamins are happy to stay stored in your body for awhile — some stay for a few days, some for up to 6 months! Then, when it's time for them to be used, special carriers in your body take them to where they're needed. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are all fat-soluble vitamins.

Water-soluble vitamins are different. When you eat foods that have water-soluble vitamins, the vitamins don't get stored as much in your body. Instead, they travel through your bloodstream. Whatever your body doesn't use comes out when you urinate (pee).

So these kinds of vitamins need to be replaced often because they don't stick around! This crowd of vitamins includes vitamin C and the big group of B vitamins — B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), niacin, B6 (pyridoxine), folic acid, B12 (cobalamine), biotin, and pantothenic acid.

Vitamins Feed Your Needs

Your body is one powerful machine, capable of doing all sorts of things by itself. But one thing it can't do is make vitamins. That's where food comes in. Your body is able to get the vitamins it needs from the foods you eat because different foods contain different vitamins. The key is to eat different foods to get an assortment of vitamins. Though some kids take a daily vitamin, most kids don't need one if they're eating a variety of healthy foods.

Now, let's look more closely at vitamins — from A to K:

Vitamin A

This vitamin plays a really big part in eyesight. It's great for night vision, like when you're trick-or-treating on Halloween. Vitamin A helps you see in color, too, from the brightest yellow to the darkest purple. In addition, it helps you grow properly and aids in healthy skin.

Which foods are rich in vitamin A?

• milk fortified with vitamin A
• liver
• orange fruits and vegetables (like cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes)
• dark green leafy vegetables (like kale, collards, spinach)

The B Vitamins

There's more than one B vitamin. Here's the list: B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid. Whew — that's quite a group!

The B vitamins are important in metabolic (say: meh-tuh-bah-lik) activity — this means that they help make energy and set it free when your body needs it. So the next time you're running to third base, thank those B vitamins. This group of vitamins is also involved in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. Every part of your body needs oxygen to work properly, so these B vitamins have a really important job.

Which foods are rich in vitamin B?

• whole grains, such as wheat and oats
• fish and seafood
• poultry and meats
• eggs
• dairy products, like milk and yogurt
• leafy green vegetables
• beans and peas

Vitamin C

This vitamin is important for keeping body tissues, such as gums and muscles in good shape. C is also key if you get a cut or wound because it helps you heal. This vitamin also helps your body resist infection. This means that even though you can't always avoid getting sick, vitamin C makes it a little harder for your body to become infected with an illness.

Which foods are rich in vitamin C?

• citrus fruits, like oranges
• cantaloupe
• strawberries
• tomatoes
• broccoli
• cabbage
• kiwi fruit
• sweet red peppers

Vitamin D

No bones about it . . . vitamin D is the vitamin you need for strong bones! It's also great for forming strong teeth. Vitamin D even lends a hand to an important mineral — it helps your body absorb the amount of calcium it needs.

Which foods are rich in vitamin D?

• milk fortified with vitamin D
• fish
• egg yolks
• liver
• fortified cereal

Vitamin E

Everybody needs E. This hard-working vitamin maintains a lot of your body's tissues, like the ones in your eyes, skin, and liver. It protects your lungs from becoming damaged by polluted air. And it is important for the formation of red blood cells.

Which foods are rich in vitamin E?

• whole grains, such as wheat and oats
• wheat germ
• leafy green vegetables
• sardines
• egg yolks
• nuts and seeds

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is the clotmaster! Remember the last time you got a cut? Your blood did something special called clotting. This is when certain cells in your blood act like glue and stick together at the surface of the cut to help stop the bleeding.

Which foods are rich in vitamin K?

• leafy green vegetables
• dairy products, like milk and yogurt
• broccoli
• soybean oil

When your body gets this vitamin and the other ones it needs, you'll be feeling A-OK!

By: kidshealth

Name Brand vs. Generic Cold Medicines

Question:What's the difference between name brand and generic cold medicines in the store, and how do you know which product to buy your child when there are so many choices? How do you get rid of that chronic cough the kids have that just won't go away? It's so hard to get the kids to use things that will help them get rid of what's in their chest.

Answer:

A typical cold lasts 7-14 days, with runny nose primarily in the first few days, and cough starting later and persisting longer. It's important to remember that a cold is caused by a virus, and there currently are no good antiviral treatments available that will shorten the length of a cold. The cold remedies you will find in most pharmacies are intended to treat the symptoms of the cold, but will not make the cold go away.

There are four major classes of cold medications.

• Decongestants are supposed to improve nasal stuffiness and allow a child to breath more easily through the nose. Active ingredients include pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. The major side effect is that they can cause sleeplessness, and tend to "wake you up". Sometimes, young children can have an opposite reaction, and get very drowsy after taking them.
• Antihistamines are used to help improve a runny nose, however medical evidence shows that while they are definitely helpful in stopping a runny nose caused by allergies, they are not particularly useful in stopping a runny nose caused by a cold. Active ingredients include chlorpheniramine, bromopheniramine, and diphenhydramine. The major side effect of this class of drugs is sedation. Many people get very sleepy after taking antihistamines. Young children sometimes have an opposite reaction and get very excited after taking them.
• Cough suppressants decrease the frequency and intensity of a cough. They work by telling your brain not to cough as much. When used in excess, they can cause sedation, but have minimal side effects if used in normal doses. The most common active ingredient in cough suppressants is dextromethorphan.
• Expectorants thin the mucous that accumulates in the throat and upper airway, making it easier to cough up the mucous. The most common active ingredient is guafenesin. There is no scientific evidence to show that these truly help.

The first thing to remember is that when large studies have been done, they have not shown that any cold medications really help. So, my first recommendation is to avoid using them at all. If you feel you must use an over the counter cold medication, figure out which symptom of the cold you really want to improve, and then get a cold medicine that "treats" that specific symptom. For example, you can buy a decongestant alone, rather than getting a remedy that has a decongestant, cough suppressant, and an expectorant in it. Similarly, do not buy a multi-symptom cold reliever if the only problem is cough. A cough suppressant alone would be better.

• If nasal congestion is the major problem, consider using a decongestant nasal spray rather than an oral medicine. This way the medicine is going right to where it is needed, and there are fewer side effects. The spray should only be used for 3 or 4 days.
• Only give the cold remedy for 2 or 3 days, when the symptoms are at their peak. Prolonged use can lead to more side effects and complications.
• If your child has chronic respiratory problems such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, you should talk with your doctor before giving cold medications.
• Don't give cold medicines to infants (children under 1 year of age). Only give the dosage that is recommended on the package. More is not necessarily better. The dosage is usually based on your child's weight, and excessive amounts can cause greater side effects.
• The generic cold medicines are just as effective (or ineffective) as the name brand ones.

There are other things that you can do to make your child feel better during a cold that don't involve buying medications. Keeping the air in the room moist with a humidifier helps to prevent a scratchy throat and dry nose. Make sure your child is drinking large amounts of liquids, and getting a full night's sleep. An extra nap may also help.

Vitamin B7

Vitamin B7 or biotin as it is sometimes referred to, is a water soluble B complex vitamin. Biotin is a coenzyme in the metabolism of leucine and fatty acids and is made up of a tetrahydroimidizalone ring fused with a tetrahydrothiophene ring. The tetrahydrothiophene ring has a valeric acid substituent attached to one of its carbon atoms. Biotin is important in fatty acid synthesis, branched-chain amino acid catabolism, and gluconeogenesis

Vitamin B7: Functions in the Human Body

Vitamin B7 (biotin) is vital for the production of fatty acids, cell growth, and the metabolism of amino acids and fats. Biotin assists in the citric acid cycle, which is the process of generating energy for aerobic respiration. Biotin is not only important for metabolic processes but for helping carbon dioxide transfer and maintaining steady blood sugar level. Biotin promotes healthy hair and nails and although it is found in many cosmetic products it cannot be absorbed through the skin. Biotin can be sourced from various foods, including beans, brewer's yeast, cauliflower, egg yolks, fish, kidney, legumes, liver, meat, molasses, dairy products, nuts, oatmeal, oysters, peanut butter, poultry, wheat germ, and whole grains. Its abundance in food means that it is naturally consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Vitamin B7: Recommended Daily Intake

Currently there is no RDI set for biotin but there are suggested adequate intake levels (AI).

• Infants 0-12 months- 7mcg
• Children 1-3 years – 8 mcg
• Children 4-8 years – 12 mcg
• Children 9-13 years – 20mcg
• Adolescents 14-18 years – 25mcg
• Adults over 18 years and pregnant women – 30 mcg
• Lactating women – 35 mcg

Vitamin B7 deficiency is rare and symptoms are fairly mild and easily addressed with supplementation. Symptoms of deficiency are alopecia, dermatitis (a red scaly rash may appear around the eyes, nose, and mouth), and conjunctivitis. Neurological symptoms may also occur in the form of depression, hallucination, lethargy, and numbness and tingling. There is a condition known as "biotin-deficient face,” where the main characteristic is an unusual fat distribution across the face usually accompanied by a rash. Raw egg whites are known to bind vitamin B7 and stop it from being absorbed in the intestine. There is also some evidence that smoking may contribute to deficiency.

Vitamin B7: Risk of Overdose

Studies conducted on animals have show little if any toxic effects from high doses of biotin, therefore it is highly likely that humans can tolerate far larger doses than the recommended daily intake. There is no evidence of adverse effects from taking high doses of vitamin B7.

Source: WL