The flu season is here!
Is it safe to give cough and cold medicine to our children?
Cough can be troublesome, especially for children. Parents can feel helpless spending the whole night up watching their child suffering from cough and blocked nose. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicine are being used a lot by parents as they believe it can help their kids. However, many researches have showed that these medicines are not really effective. On the contrary, they can be dangerous to little kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend any over-the-counter cold medications for children younger than age 4.In my practice.
How can you help your child with common cold?
- Offer fever reducer medications such as paracetamol or acetaminophen. They can also reduce the pain due to sore throat or body ache. Dosing should be given with care according to the child’s age or weight. Children less than 3 months of age with fever should be seen by a doctor first before giving any medicine.
- Offer normal saline nasal drops. They keep the nose and throat clear and moist. There is no active medicine in these drops, hence you can give it to your child as necessary, specially before they feed or sleep.
- You can use suction bulb to draw mucus out from the nose
- Offer your child plenty of fluids. Water, juice and other liquids can help keep the throat moist and the secretions thin. Warm liquids, such as tea and soup can also help.
- Depending on child’s age and symptoms, I may prescribe medications such as antihistamine.
Shall we use antibiotics?
Antibiotics work against bacteria and not viruses. Cold and flu are typically caused by viruses hence antibiotics will not be of benefit. On the contrary, the child might unnecessarily suffer from the side effects of antibiotics.In my practice, I see many children who have been unnecessarily started on antibiotics prior to coming to see me. Unfortunately, misuse of antibiotics increases the chance of having serious infections caused by strong bacteria resistant to the common antibiotics.
At LifeWorks we believe that Prevention is better than cure!
We recommend that your child gets annual health check with pediatrician to make sure your child’s growth and development is appropriate for his or her age. Your kids will be able to fight infections better if they eat healthy balanced diet and do exercise as these boost their immunity in addition to the recommend vaccines according to age. Your child’s pediatrican might be able to help you recognize if your child’s nutrition is optimum and vaccination is up to date and give advice accordingly.
We can also help our children stay healthy during flu season by teaching them few tips such as:
- Avoid close contact with sick people when possible.
- Keep hands clean. Show them how to wash their hands properly and when to do so.
- Teach them to cough or sneeze into a tissue. If not available, they can do it into the crook of their arms.
If you would like to talk, feel free to reach out to us. An LifeWorks therapist would be able to help.
Dr. Naeema Ali trained psychology and social worker students of UAE University. She is actively providing counselling support to cancer patients and their families. She launched an occupational therapy for cancer patients and cognitive behavioural therapy in Tawam.
Due to her continued support in oncology and ongoing support to cancer patients, Naeema received countless awards locally and international to recognize her achievements and skills. She has been invited to participate in various conferences and workshops around the world and invited as a guest speaker in various subjects that covers psychology.
She also joined Al Sayegh Medical Center as a Social Worker, providing comprehensive assessment and treatment services to children and families, in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, and communicates with referral sources as indicated by applying psychometric test, such as IQ Test, MMPI, Wechsler Test for children. Exhibit superior communication skills to uncover complicated mental health issues; develop and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs and diagnosis.
She continued working as a clinical psychologist providing counselling within the multi-cultural environment of the Emirates Airlines for the past 15 years. Her main task is providing mental health support to inflight and ground staff and addresses any problems, anxieties, or job-related stresses that they are dealing with. She uses her findings to help improve processes and behaviors of a patient to maintain a safe environment, to manage stress, overcome trauma, or avoid job-related conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the method Naeema is using to reduce the difficulties, anxieties, and stress that employee faces.
Naeema is also part of “ Shawer ”, the “Seek Our Advice”, and “We Listen To You” program of the Family Development Foundation of Abu Dhabi. The aim of the program was to promote family awareness and support a stable family life. It involves a group of community members who deal with family problems in a positive manner and provide individual and group counseling in social, psychological, and educational areas. They do so in a systematic way according to the needs of community members.
Besides “ Shawer ”, Naeema is also a volunteer of “ Friends of Cancer ” of Sharjah, supporting patients and their families to overcome the multitude psychological difficulties that they are experiencing due to cancer treatment as well as introducing some programs such as health education, self-care and some community programs wherein they can collaborate and share their experiences.
Area of interest:
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Psycho-oncology
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CBT
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Psychometric Assessments
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Children, Adults and Family therapy
Qualification and Membership:
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Psychology graduation from the University of Wisconsin
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Licensed by Community Development Authority
Dr. Mohammed Bardi M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) has worked under different capacities in clinical and hospital setups in Saudi, USA, and UAE. He comes with over 15 years of experience in mental health. He specifically worked with cases relating to schizophrenic, bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, major depressive disorder with suicidal risks, anxiety disorders, Intellectual disabilities, Autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
Area of interest:
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Mood disorders
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Anxiety disorders
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Improving life skills (social skills, self- esteem, decision making, coping with stress, problem solving, and time management)
Qualification and Membership:
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MBBS COLLEAGUE OF MEDICINE, KING SAUD UNIVERSITY 2003 (KKU).
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ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY 2007
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ANXIETY DISORDERS WORKSHOP (DIPLOMA), 2010
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ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA, USA, 2010-2011
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ADDICTION RESEARCH AND MATRIX TRAINING, ISAP, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA 2014-2015
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BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
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ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY
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ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA 2011, 2015
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BETTY FORD CERTIFICATE, ADDICTION PROGRAM 2010
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CDA) Licensed Psychologist
Therapeutic Approach:
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At LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Center Dubai, Dr. Bardi works collaboratively within our expert multidisciplinary team, in treating a wide array of psychiatric conditions including:
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Anxiety disorders
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Substance use disorders
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Mood disorders including depression and Bipolar affective disorders
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Psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders)
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Personality disorders
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Cognitive disorders including Dementia
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Learning disabilities (intellectual disability disorders)
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Child and adolescents’ disorders like Separation anxiety disorders, conduct
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disorders and ADHD