Dry cough which is excessive and often troublesome needs to be suppressed in order to improve the quality of life and prevent the complications of excessive cough. This talk dicusses the role of various antitussives in the management cough and the dual mode of action of the non opioid antitussive- Noscapine.

Cough is a common symptom of Respiratory tract infection (RTI) in children. This cough mostly dry in nature and management of the same is very crucial.This talk discusses about the advantages and disadvantages of non opioid antitussives in suppressing the acute dry cough associated with RTI in children

Dehydration is a serious issue worldwide caused by excessive loss of body water. Fluid is lost through sweat, tears, vomiting, frequent urination, or diarrhoea. WHO and UNICEF have recommended single formulation of ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) to prevent or treat dehydration from diarrhoea irrespective of the cause or age group affected.

Diabetes and its complications, if not well managed, can lead to frequent hospitalisations and premature death. Strict glycaemic control over long term is the mainstay of diabetic neuropathy management, however, it does not reduce or halt the progression of diabetic neuropathy.

Constipation is a chronic condition that affects approximately 16% of the adults worldwide. BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, or classes II and III, increase the risk of chronic diseases and mortality. Although obesity has been linked to constipation, it is not recognised as a cause of constipation, but they have been found to share risk factors

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are widespread. Most common FGIDs encountered in gastroenterology practice are functional dyspepsia & irritable bowel syndrome. Digestive enzymes have shown significant improvement in symptoms caused by FD & IBD which include abdominal pain, bloating, early satiety, fullness, belching, & nausea.

Poor child growth is a global health concern. Zinc plays an important role in growth and development. About 17% of the world’s population is at the risk of zinc deficiency. Zinc participates in cell division, intestinal electrolyte absorption, neurotransmission, immune response, enzymatic catalysis, and functional modification of proteins.

Low haemoglobin and less oxygen carrying capacity defines anaemia. Heavy menstrual bleeding, worm infestation, and chronic intestinal inflammation could be the few contributing factors causing iron deficiency anaemia. Government of India has started an initiative of the life-course approach to prevent and treat iron deficiency anaemia in women.

Transitioning from intravenous to oral antibiotics is advantageous, prior to which it needs to be made sure if the antibiotic shows a good clinical stability in the patient, control of disease progression, & patient should feel symptomatically better. Concentration of the oral antibiotic, bioavailability, & pharmacokinetics play an important role.

Micronutrients are beneficial for the management of COVID-19 as they help boost the immune health. Choosing a multivitamin with the right amount of Se and Lyc not only improves the immune response, but also enhances the recovery.