Good Morning Dr. H,

ok, i have one for you. my oldest daughter, jasmine, has asthma and it gets pretty bad at times. she's only 6 and they have her on grown up meds. i was wondering if there was anything Cat and I can give her thats natural or healthy for her that will promote lung health or help control the asthma? this will help me out the most. it just sucks seeing a child suffer with something like this. thanks.

Good Morning Miguel,

You know, thats a tough one. Inflammatory reactions in the lungs, or Asthma, typically occur when a person's immune system launches an attack on substances from the environment, normally mediated by the immunoglobulin, IgE. Sometimes, the attacks can be so violent (as I'm sure you've experienced) that they can cause breathing difficulty to the point were intervention with medication is quite appropriate. The trouble with repeated intervention is that most inhalers include a steroid to cease the inflammatory reaction. Repeated exposure to steroids can compromise the immune system, and also compromise the integrity of bone, risking early onset of osteoporosis.

It's controversial, but many children asthma sufferers do very well with regular chiropractic adjustments. I would take your daughter to the chiropractor, have her examined for Subluxation, and see if having her adjusted for awhile will make a difference. It can't hurt, and it just might do the trick.

Otherwise be sure your daughter is also taking anti-inflammatory nutritional precautions. Much like my recommendations for RA. Omega 3 FA's, and lots of antioxidants. Also be sure that toxins such as trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners are not present in her diet.

Miguel sent me a copy of the email you guys were talking about our daughter, I just wanted to give you a bit of background to see if maybe you can add anything else.

She was born with a partial collapsed lung, which consequently, cause her lungs to produce an excessive amount of mucus, which she currently still produces. The mucus travels up from her lungs and affects her sinuses as well. As an infant this caused repeated ear infections sending her to an ENT, then to a surgeon. If I'd have known then what I know now I would have been more adamant about what the doctors did but I was young and trusted the doctors in what they wanted to do. She did have tubes put in her ears, which made it worse, but the ears corrected themselves before they ended up reconstructing her ear canals at the age of 1. Now, fast forward to today. Her asthma gets really bad in the mid-summer and the mid-winter. I had her seeing a chiro at the age of 1 for a few months but not since. She still produces a lot of mucus, the dr.s dont know why and just brush it off, but I feel that that in itself is the main issue. You can hear it rattle when she breathes. She is constantly blowing her nose, we keep tissues with us because she always has 'stuff' coming out of her nose. Does any of this change anything you told miguel?

Also, I have thought about giving her omega3, i've heard it is really good especially for concentration in school but of course with giving anything to a child I have been hesitant. How much should she be getting at 6 years old? She's really good at eating her veggies for the most part, peas are her favorite, are there better veggies for her than others? maybe things easily grown in the garden?

Sorry so long but I appreciate your thoughts!

-Cat, Miguel's wife

Hello Cat,

Wow, it sounds like your daughter has had a lot of challenges already. To me, it seems like her early collapsed lung has created a structural deformity, that doesn't allow her to aspire bacteria as well as the rest of us. This would make her more susceptible to chronic infections, which are probably more prevalent when the weather changes as you mentioned.

I think your daughter would still benefit from regular chiropractic care. By adjusting her spine you will be strengthening her immune system and better enabling her to fight infections. In addition to this, increase her antioxidant intake to include vitamins C & E. She might also benefit from Alpha Lipoic Acid, and even CoQ10. Omega 3's will also support her immune system. I would give her 1-2 teaspoons per day.

Finally, it might be worth your while to find a chiropractor that uses "cold laser" or "low level laser" therapy in their office. There are certain frequencies that the laser can be programmed for lung tissue. By shinning this light on your daughters chest, the laser can facilitate better blood flow by dilating vessels, and increase energy production, which would allow her to better fight infection and better reduce mucus production.

Hope that helps,

Good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions. mad chiro luv, -Darren, DC

How much of the other vitamins mentioned should a 6 or 7 year old be taking, she weighs between 50-60lbs.

That laser therapy sounds a bit dangerous. Can you tell me some more about that? Are there side effects for that?

Ya know, I'm not 100% sure on doses for children that young. I suppose I would start on some of the lower doses available. CoQ10 comes in a 30mg tab, which should be safe. Maybe 500-1000mg of vitamin c (water soluble, so no danger of toxicity), 100 IUs of vitamin E, 50-100mg of Alpha lipoic acid.

Cold laser is totally safe, it has no known side effects. It works by mimicking the wavelength by which cells actually use light in communication. By doing so, it simply helps cells, any cells, carry out their natural physiology. It's simply not possible to know how many it might require to elicit a change. You could notice a difference immediately, or it could take many treatments. It's also possible that you won't notice any difference; you would just have to try it.

don't mind your questions, glad to help, mad chiro luv, -Darren, DC