Asthma and pregnancy

Is there any way in which a pregnant mother could increase the chance of asthma in her children? Could you really have asthma because your mother smoked during pregnancy? (I'm not letting fathers off the hook either.) If you breathe badly you can't give your baby enough Oxygen.. That means that if you are gasping for breath yourself your baby is getting even less air. Yes, you really can learn to breathe properly. We can't do anything to force doctors to tell us about cheap cures. They say that they can't cure asthma and then have the nerve to expect us to buy their medication loaded with side effects. CORRECTION: I've just discovered it's not all the medical practitioners' fault. They have been told by the medical industry that they will lose their licence to practice medicine if they tell you about the free cure for asthma.

Here is the official point of view of the medical industry: "Remember: Using asthma medicine during pregnancy is much safer than letting your asthma get out of control. Such asthma medicines as inhaled beta-agonists (quick relief medicines like Maxair or Proventil), cromolyn (medicines that prevent triggers from causing reactions in your lungs, like Intal), and inhaled steroids (long-term controller medicines like Flovent) are safe for pregnant women when you take them as directed by your doctor. Please don't read the instructions as it might decrease our income." Some of that is untrue.

If you smoke while you are pregnant it's more likely that your baby will be born too early and too small. Your baby is more likely to be sick more often too. That applies too to alcohol and other drugs - including prescription drugs.

Prevention of asthma in toddlers

Here is where the husband comes in. If anybody in the house smokes (see childhood asthma symptoms above) pediatric asthma treatment is much more likely to be your never-ending task.

More and more employers are providing private rooms with breast pumps so new mothers can return to work and breastfeed the new babies. Is this because employers are extra generous? No. Statistics show that new mothers who breast feed have much lower absenteeism rates. Donna Monroe says "She has less chance of getting breast cancer... less chance of osteoporosis...and it helps lose her weight faster. It helps her uterus contract and go back into her pelvis more quickly." She adds "I have data that show that mothers who breast feed miss far less work because of sick babies. They'll have fewer ear infections... less diarrhea... less asthma... eczema... allergies."

Medical practitioners responsible for asthma in kids

Medical practitioners can cause asthma by giving you bad advice for the sake of profit. medical practitioners cause a lot of the trouble in their endless attempts to sell you more drugs. Children are more likely to get asthma (according to research) if they are prescribed antibiotics before they are six months old.

Abusing prescription drugs is as common as, or maybe even more common than, street drug use - and medical practitioners are often to blame. the FDA decided that not enough people had died from asthma prescription drugs to make public oppinion force them to ban these profitable drugs.

Steroid drugs prescribed by medical practitioners can make your child prone to diseases by weakening the immune system.

Danger in the showers. When chlorine vaporizes it combines with other airborne particles and forms dangerous chloroform gas. Tests show that asthma and other breathing problems are created. The U.S. EPA states that "Due to chlorine and showering, there is an elevated level of chloroform gas in virtually every home in America...". You are risking asthma every time you give your child a shower according to research. Showering in chlorine is worse than drinking it. Of course.

Sing Your Cares Away

Maldon & South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust has started a project to improve the quality of life of local children with asthma.

"Asthma is a serious condition for many youngsters," says Sarah Southerby, the PCT's healthy living co-ordinator. "The 'Huff and Puff' project holds innovative classes using song and art as mediums for helping children to control their breathing."

The workshops include simple songs, rhythms and breathing techniques, to teach the children not to panic when they suffer shortness of breath.

The asthma treatment that is most gentle of all is homeopathic asthma medication. The trouble is that it relies on the skill of the practitioner to identify the best remedy. It's not like prescribing antibiotics for everything. But if you find the right treatment your kids could be cured.