Kids in childcare will give any parent a crash course in the symptoms of strep throat. This delightful infection can be quite alarming when you see your child with glands swollen almost to the size of golf balls. And the poor child so miserable and whiny, help and relief are needed fast—for parent and child.

What is Strep Throat?

The A streptococcus bacterium is the culprit that causes the dreaded strep throat infection. It’s common among children and teens, and can pass easily from one person to another. The bacteria resides in the nose and throat, so sneezing, coughing, sharing toys or shaking hands can all spread the infection.

Signs and Symptoms

A sore throat may not be strep throat. Most sore throats are caused by viruses and may be accompanied by a runny nose, itchy eyes, and cough. A virus will run its course, and clear up on its own in a few days with only mild discomfort. Strep throat will usually show signs of:
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Swollen glands or lymph nodes
• Red and inflamed tonsils, sometimes with white spots
• Stomach ache
• Nausea
• Difficulty swallowing

Prevention

Teaching your kids to wash frequently throughout the day is the best preventative measure. Don’t share drinks with other kids and avoid other infected people.

Treatment

Strep throat is normally diagnosed in the doctor’s office by taking a throat culture and testing for the presence of streptococci bacteria. An antibiotic is used to kill the bacteria, and must be taken until the entire prescribed amount is used whether or not the child is feeling better. Otherwise, the bacteria may linger and the symptoms will return. Untreated strep can lead to serious medical conditions like rheumatic fever, scarlet fever or kidney damage. Please seek medical treatment if strep throat is suspected.

Home Remedies

Only a round of antibiotics can cure the bacterial infection, but there are some things you can do at home to make your child comfortable until he/she feels better.
• Chamomile tea has analgesic properties that will soothe the throat and achy head. It can also help reduce fever and prevent dehydration.
• Sage can be given as a capsule or in tincture (extracted) form to reduce inflammation and to protect the soft tissues of the throat and respiratory system.
• Garlic has natural antibiotic properties and can also be given in capsule form, but is most effective when fresh cloves are used.
• Maintain a warm temperature in your house and use a mist humidifier to increase the moisture in the air.
• Eat soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup, etc.

Avoid:

• Spicy foods and acidic fruits and juices (orange, grapefruit, lemon)
• Cold or hot beverages, serve warm or at room temperature
• Irritants like cigarette smoke or fumes from chemicals (cleaning products)

-Anne

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Asthma is a chronic condition where your lungs become inflamed, constricted and mucus-filled in response to a trigger. Asthma triggers can be external, like cold weather or certain allergens, or internal, like stress. If you have asthma, you can experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, tightness in your chest, coughing and wheezing. It is a condition that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.There is no cure for asthma. BUT it is highly manageable.

The best way to treat an asthmatic episode is to be knowledgeable and prepared. Know what your triggers are. Make sure you travel with your inhaler at all times. Stay away from smokers or places overflowing with exhaust fumes. And remember, it’s always best to ask your doctor what you can do to keep your asthma attacks at bay.

Asthma home remedies.

If you ever find yourself without your inhaler and are starting to feel the tightness of an asthma attack, try to get a hold of some caffeine. Coffee, tea, soda, anything. This long-standing home remedy will help to open your airways. In fact, a moderate amount of caffeinated beverage daily can benefit asthma sufferers in the long run and lessen symptoms.

Fish. Not your goldfish Betty, but oily fish, like salmon or mackerel, could help lessen your asthma symptoms. Fish is also good for you overall, especially for your heart. It’s a good idea to incorporate fish into your meal plan at least once a week. This maple salmon is to die for.

Got a sweet tooth? A spoonful of honey can help control your asthma over time. Or if you’re like me and don’t really enjoy a blast of sweetness on a spoon, you can drizzle some on a warm piece of bread or a biscuit and enjoy it that way.

Ginger root is great because it has anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for asthma sufferers. And while chewing ginger is most effective, it doesn’t really taste the greatest. Thought I will admit, a good ginger tea tastes great. Boil 3 cups of water with some finely sliced ginger root for about 15 minutes. Strain and serve with a squeeze of lemon and a touch of honey.

-Magdalena

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If you were hit hard with a cold or the flu, you may develop bronchitis afterward. Acute bronchitis is the inflammation of your bronchial tubes, often characterized as a wet, productive cough, shortness of breath and wheezing. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, and most cases of acute bronchitis are viral, meaning that it just has to run its course. In short, you’re in for a pretty miserable 7 to 10 days. However, there are some home remedies you can use to lessen the uncomfortable symptoms of bronchitis.

Home Remedies for Bronchitis

Like spicy foods? You’re in luck. Spicy foods, like those made with cayenne pepper can help you out if you’re feeling the congestion of bronchitis. Cayenne pepper helps thin the mucus in your lungs and breaks up congestion, so you suffer less and make your way to a speedy recovery. Here’s a a really tasty recipe that uses cayenne pepper.

Licorice root is a good remedy for any malady you may have with a cough, bronchitis included. Licorice helps reduce inflammation and also aids in thinning out the mucus in your bronchial tubes, making it easier to expel. You can take licorice root in a pill form or use an extract in a warm tea. You can find it readily available at most grocery stores.

Ginger is an age-old remedy that has been used for centuries by the Chinese, and is available in many forms: pill, tea or even as an actual root. It’s used for its anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. Ginger also helps soothe upset stomachs.

I really love fresh ginger tea. Just combine freshly sliced ginger root with 3 cups of boiling water. Simmer for about 15 minutes and strain. I add a little bit of honey for additional sweetness.

Do not smoke! People who smoke generally have a harder time recovering from acute bronchitis.

-Magdalena

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I hated getting hiccups as a kid. They were annoying and embarrassing and there was always that one kid in your class who pointed at you with a paste-covered finger, laughing. Now I’m an adult and I still hate them.I usually got mine from eating too fast or indulging in food that was a little too spicy for my palette, but whenever they came, my mom was always quick to get me trying every remedy under the sun in an effort to get rid of them. Some of the highlights included sticking a finger in my ear while drinking a glass of water, swallowing a spoonful of sugar a la Mary Poppins or the ever-messy, drinking a glass of any kind of liquid upside down.

I never liked the scaring-technique. I forbid my mother to use it on me.

Whether my mother’s secret stash of cures were nothing more than a distraction or were in fact a bona fide to end a dreadful bout of hiccups, these strange cures always had a marvelous success rate.

Some other bizarre hiccup cures that have worked for friends and family included blowing up a little red balloon (and it had to be RED!), slowly chewing a forkful of peanut butter and the ever popular, “Hiccup Stickup” where my friend once demanded with a finger in my back that I, “Give her my hiccups or ELSE!” (I think she just scared me, but I wasn’t about to tell her that.)

-Magdalena

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