The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

Archive for the 'Cough' Category

Consumer Alert: “Koff & Kold” and “Kold Sore”

Monday, February 13th, 2012

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. (more…)

Symptomatic benefits of hot drinks for cold and flu

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Researchers from Cardiff University, in the UK studied the effects of fruit drinks on nasal airflow and cold and flu symptoms.

(more…)

CAM to treat the cold and flu

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Dr. Mark Moyad (photo) is Director of Preventive and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

His recommendations. (more…)

Vitamin B12 and unexplained cough

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

coughDuring 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.” (more…)

Cold therapy to manage cough pain after heart surgery

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

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. (more…)

Treating cough with honey

Monday, May 10th, 2010

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. (more…)

Pelvic floor training for urinary incontinence

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

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. (more…)

Flu season: Lower your risk

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

swine fluThe Bastyr Center for Natural Health, in Seattle, Washington has published common sense recommendations.

Let’s focus on proactive actions to stay healthy. (more…)

Probiotic effects on cold and influenza symptoms

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

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. (more…)

Reducing swine flu transmission

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

Medscape has an interview with Dr. Georges Benjamin (photo), who is executive director of the American Public Health Association.

Highlights follow. (more…)

Facemasks reduce the spread of influenza-like illness

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

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. (more…)

Smoked medicinal cannabis for neuropathic pain in HIV

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

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.” (more…)

Lose weight, gain control over incontinence

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

Obesity correlates with urinary incontinence. Might weight loss be an effective treatment?

Researchers from across the US decided to find out. (more…)

Consumer Alert: 40 more weight loss products

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

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. (more…)

Safety of American ginseng in children

Wednesday, August 20th, 2008

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? (more…)

Respiratory muscle strength training

Friday, July 4th, 2008

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. (more…)

Using speech pathology management to control chronic cough

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

It’s a viable alternative for patients who do not respond to medical treatment.

But what is “speech pathology?”

(more…)

Habit cough and the use of biofeedback

Monday, May 26th, 2008

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.

(more…)

Response to Ayurvedic herbal supplements among 9/11 survivors

Thursday, January 24th, 2008

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. (more…)

Comparing cannabis vs cigarettes on the lungs

Saturday, December 15th, 2007

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. (more…)