How to Decrease Your Child's Risk of Asthma

One of the primary reasons why your child can have asthma is that he or she became sensitive to common indoor allergens. Studies show that allergies can provoke asthma, especially for cockroach and dust mites. As a parent, you know what that means – more cleaning and regular cleaning inside the home.

Interestingly, scientists are still trying to determine if there’s an age that critical exposure to allergens occurs and how the allergenic substances cause severity of asthma.

What they do know is that viruses such as the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) causes inflammation of the bronchioles and can even be the causative factor for wheezing over  the next two or three years.

Another virus is the rhinovirus – the one that causes common cold and runny nose. This virus is associated with causing allergies.

How strong is your child’s immune system to prevent getting sick from either of these two viruses? Vitamin D deficiency is tied to a greater number of colds and flu in children as well as in adults. Babies and young children are just as likely to have a deficiency as adults and the elderly. Always test your entire family for vitamin D status before winter sets in. The best time to test is in the summertime, since if your child is found to be low, it will take a few months to get the levels up to par.

There is something that moms can do to prevent their child from developing asthma – give up smoking. But if you’re not smoking, what else can you do?

The answer is to take your child to see chiropractor, Dr. Baker. Adjustments to the spine, especially in the neck can realign any misaligned vertebrae that are interrupting proper nerve flow to the immune system, and are indirectly contributing to asthma.

Reference

 Platts-Mills, T.A., Rakes, G., and Heymann, P.W. The Relevance of Allergen Exposure to the Development of Asthma in Childhood. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2000 Feb; 105(2 Pt 2): S503-8.