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Children's
Winter Ailments |
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Help is at hand for parents looking for an
alternative to paracetamol for their children's
winter bugs, following research suggesting a
link between the drug and asthma. |
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Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic and safe for
use in babies and children(1) and research has
shown that homeopathic remedies can be effective
in children with respiratory tract
infections(2), otitis media (build up of fluid
in the ear which can lead to infection)(3) and
sinusitis(4). |
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Homeopathy is a system of medicine which is
based on treating the individual with highly
diluted substances given in mainly tablet form,
which triggers the body's natural system of
healing. In children, the most appropriate
medicine is matched to the illness acccording to
the symptoms and how the child is feeling in
themselves. |
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Homeopathic remedies can be used at home in
acute conditions, but recurrent coughs and
infections should be seen by a qualified
homeopath registered with the Society of
Homeopaths (look out for the RSHom designation). |
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Some parents are worried about giving their
children paracetamol, which is the active
ingredient in Calpol, following the publication
of research in the Lancet in September, which
found that babies given paracetamol were more
likely to develop asthma, as were those in later
childhood who were given it frequently. Use of
the drug was also associated with a risk of
eczema and rhino conjunctivitis (allergy-linked
runny nose and watering eyes)(5). |
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The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA) has removed at least six cough
medicines from sale following fears about
possible overdose(6). |
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There are many remedies available over the
counter that could be useful in childhood winter
ailments, each having its own specific
characteristics. |
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Below are some remedies commonly used in
childhood illnesses - |
| Bryonia:
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| the symptoms are slow to come
on, there is much dryness and pains
are worse from even the slightest
movement. Firm pressure on the
affected area is helpful. They are
irritable and want to be left alone.
Children may reject what they just
asked for. |
| Pulsatilla:
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| has blocked painful sinuses,
sticky mucus, feels better in fresh
air and has a changeable, clingy
mood, tearful during a fever and
wanting to be carried. |
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Belladonna: |
| indicated where the symptoms
have come on suddenly and there is
heat, throbbing and pain,
irritability, and symptoms worse
from jarring. Children can be
obstinate and may bite or hit. |
| Gelsemium:
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| the number one flu remedy, with
symptoms slow to come on, where
there is much heaviness and
drooping, fatigue, clammy skin,
flushes of hot and cold, dizziness
and congestion. |
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Any ongoing health concerns
should be discussed with a GP |
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References |
1. Dantas F
Rampes H,
2000. Do
homeopathic
medicines
provoke
adverse
effects?
A systematic review. BR Homeopathic Journal 89 (supl):535-8
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2. de Lange
de Klerk,
ESM,
Blommers, J,
Kuik, DJ, et
al., "Effect
of
Homoeopathic
Medicines on
Daily Burden
of Symptoms
in children
with
Recurrent
Upper
Respiratory
Tract
Infections,"
BMJ,
November 19,
1994;309:1329-1332.;
Steinsbekk,
A, Fonnebo,
V, Lewith,
G, and
Bentzen, N.
Homeopathic
care for the
prevention
of upper
respiratory
tract
infections
in children:
A pragmatic,
randomised,
controlled
trial
comparing
individualised
homeopathic
care and
waiting-list
controls.
Complementary
Therapies in
Medicine,
Volume 13,
Issue 4,
December
2005, Pages
231-238.
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3. Jacobs J,
Springer DA,
Crothers D.
Homeopathic
treatment of
acute otitis
media in
children: a
preliminary
randomized
placebo-controlled
trial.
Pediatr
Infect Dis J
2001; 20:
177-183/
Frei H,
Thurneysen
A.
Homeopathy
in acute
otitis media
in children:
treatment
effect or
spontaneous
resolution?
BR Homeopath
J 2001;
90:180-182/
Friese K-H,
Kruse S,
Ludtke R,
Moeller H
"Homeopathic
treatment of
otitis media
in children:
comparisons
with
conventional
therapy".
Int J Clin
Pharmacol
Ther. 1997;
35: 296-301.
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4. Adler M.
Efficacy,
safety of a
fixed-combination
homeopathic
therapy for
sinusitis.
Adv Ther
1999; 16:
103-111.
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5. Beasley
R, Clayton
T, Crane J,
von Mutius,
E, Lai, CKW,
Montefort,
S, Stewart,
A.
Association
between
paracetamol
use in
infancy and
childhood,
and risk of
asthma,
rhinoconjunctivitis,
and eczema
in children
aged 6-7
years:
analysis
from Phase
Three of the
ISAAC
programme.
The Lancet
2008;372:1039-1048.
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6.
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCente/Pressreleases/CON014446
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Contact
Surrey Homeopathy
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I practice in Weybridge, Surrey and also from
Esher Good Health Centre and Newphoria,
a holistic therapy centre in
Walton-on-Thames. |
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Contact me for an
appointment |
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Claire Brockwell RSHom |
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Tel: |
01932 847 312 |
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Mob: |
07774 561 953 |
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please mention
Surrey Homeopathy website |
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Email: |
claire@surrey-homeopathy.co.uk |
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Web: |
www.homeopathy-surrey.co.uk |
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If you can't get
hold of me, but would like acute Homeopathic
advice, ring the Homeopathic helpline on 0906
534 3404. For further information on this
service follow the link on my useful links page.
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Walton Complimentary
Therapy Centre: |
Newphoria, Beechfield Cottage
189 Sidney Road, Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 3SD |
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Esher Good Health Centre: |
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10a Church Street, Esher Surrey KT10 8QS |
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Atropa Belladonna |
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