Pediatric Asthma Treatment & Management Canandaigua NY

Controlling Childhood Asthma

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By Janet Zand, n.d., l.ac.,

Q: What is the most effective natural way to control childhood asthma?

A: Sometimes asthma is triggered by substances the child is allergic to, so one of the most important things you can do is figure out what they are and keep your child’s environment as free of them as possible. Common triggers include pollen, animal dander, dust, feathers, mites, and household chemicals. (For tips on allergy-proofing your home, see the next question.)

Foods can also bring on attacks. Citrus and whole wheat can be a problem, especially when combined with food dyes and sulfite additives. It’s not uncommon for kids with allergies and asthma to have a tendency to get dehydrated, so parents need to make sure they drink lots of fluids.

As far as keeping inflammation in check, essential fatty acids, which are found in evening primrose oil, borage oil, and fish oil, are very effective. You can get all these in supplement form; read the label to figure out the age-appropriate dosage for your child. (If there’s no specific dose information on the label, phone the manufacturer to get it.) With fish oils, make sure to choose a brand that’s certified as “molecularly distilled,” which is less likely to be contaminated with mercury.

Supplementing with magnesium, which dilates the bronchial tubes, can be helpful, too. The downside is that too much magnesium causes a loose stool, so you have to monitor the child carefully. Try giving 100 milligrams three or four times a week for three months. All these natural medicines work best if you rotate them. Try something for a month, see how it affects your child, then try something else.

You might also want to consider your child’s emotional state, since childhood asthma often comes along with emotional trauma. Homeopathic remedies can be helpful with this end of things, but I’d recommend a visit with a homeopath, who can tailor the remedy specifically to the child’s needs.

Another option, which many kids don’t get nearly enough of these days, is regular exercise. Swimming is especially good for kids with allergies and asthma, since the moisture keeps their air passages from drying out, and in time their lungs get stronger. Outdoor pools are best, because the chlorine is better ventilated. (If a child is allergic to chlorine, of course, you’re better off giving swimming a pass.)

Author: Janet Zand

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