Severe Asthma in Teenager: Traced Back to Infancy

This is a classic situation of how asthma begins and the lack of standard medicine's awareness of how to tackle it.

The cause of this child's asthma of course cannot be pin-pointed without further discovery and laboratory testing.

It appears this child's asthma began from (I want to stress the fact here that in no way is this the mother's fault. Far from. It is no one's 'fault'.')

1. IV Antibiotics given to mother at birth due to C-Section (also exposes baby to antibiotics)
2. C-Section delivery leading to lack of natural beneficial bacteria getting into infant's digestive system
3. Potential mercury exposure due to amalgams and environment in utero
4. Antibiotics given at birth at hospital to infant in NICU.
5. Mother and Father's history of asthma
6. No breast feeding.
7. No probiotics.

Need to look at environment as well.

Scorecard.org is a great resource to check pollutants in your area.

Asthma is a condition that is classic dysfunction and it can be controlled naturally through nutrients, lifestyle and dietary intake.

Given that this child's digestive tract is likely not doing well at all, one must start there.

Nutrients to repair the digestive tract:

1. ProBiota 12 Powder: consider taking 1/4 teaspoon for 1 week then increase to 1/2 teaspoon after dinner every evening. Expect gas and bloating initially but that will fade in about 1 week to 2 weeks as the bad bacteria die-off.  Take directly with a spoon right into the mouth. It has a nice taste.
2. L-Glutamine Powder: consider taking 1 scoop in a glass of filtered water first thing in the morning and another scoop in a glass of filtered water before bed. This is the number one nutrient utilized by the small intestine and is needed to help maintain and rebuild the lining of the small intestine. Taking between meals is ideal as the small intestine will 'bathe' in L-Glutamine.
3. Optimal Vitamin C Powder: consider adding 2 scoops in a liter of filtered water and drink throughout the day. Vitamin C helps support cell membrane stability and help reduce histamine levels. Optimal Vitamin C Powder also tastes excellent so it is a great alternative to soda and juice.
4. ProBiota Immune: consider taking 1 scoop twice a day mixed in applesauce or some juice in order to get it down. It does not taste good but it is very beneficial as it supports the balancing of the immune system.
5. Pro-Digestion Intensive: consider taking 1-2 capsules with every meal to help process the protein, fats, fibers and carbohydrates. If these do not get effectively digested, they sit in the small intestine, ferment and irritate the digestive tract thereby causing leaky gut syndrome. This must be stopped.
6. Saccharomyces Boulardii: consider taking 2 capsules with breakfast and 2 capsules at dinner. Once the bottle is gone, there is no need to continue. The reason Saccharomyces Boulardii is recommended because of the frequent use of antibiotics. If on antibiotics at all again in the future, take 2 capsules twice a day while on antibiotics to prevent c diff and yeast overgrowth - and antibiotic-assoicated diarrhea. Not fun.

To help his sleep and restless leg (and asthma:)

1. Many with asthma are deficient in Magnesium. If he is willing to take a bath, I highly recommend he take an Epsom Salt bath. You can obtain epsom salt inexpensively from www.SaltWorks.com. Add literally about a pound to his bath.
2. Have him apply Magnesium Oil to his skin daily. This is easier than swallowing more pills and very effective. It also does not cause diarrhea. He can also apply it directly to his legs before bed.

To help heal his Acne:

1. Pantothenic Acid: consider taking 2 capsules in the AM and 2 capsules at lunch in order to support energy and healthy skin. I understand his acne is a problem. Pantothenic acid may help significantly. 
2. Moor Mud Mask: apply the Moor Mud Mask to the face once in the AM, allow to dry and wash off with filtered water. Do again in the evening before bed. This helps get at the acne from the surface. The acne is likely also from the steroids and diet.
3. Optimal Multivitamin: consider taking 2 capsules at breakfast, 2 capsules at lunch and another 2 capsules around 3 pm - or after school - to prevent the afternoon crash. Optimal Multivitamin has countless minerals, B vitamins and antioxidants to support the body's biochemistry.

To help balance the immune system:

1. Sterol 117: consider taking 2 capsules first thing in the morning and 2 capsules in the evening right before bed. Plant Sterols are known and researched to help balance the immune system's Th1 and Th2. Asthma is due to a hyperactive immune system so balancing it is important. Do NOT have any dairy within 20 minutes of taking Sterol 117 as dairy blocks the absorption.
2. Optimal Fish Oil capsules: consider taking 2 capsules with breakfast and 2 at dinner for one month. Then reduce to two capsules daily after that. Optimal Fish Oil is high in EPA/DHA which is supportive of stable cellular membranes which directly help maintain histamine release.
3. Obtain an Air Purifier that is Ozone-Free and place in his room.
4. Liquid Vitamin D3: consider taking 3 drops, NOT dropperfuls of Liquid Vitamin D360 daily anytime of day. Three drops provides 6,000 IU a day. He can also do about 20 drops once a week if he prefers that. Make sure you measure his Vitamin D3 blood levels in 2 months after this dose and then adjust as your physician recommends. Ideal D3 level should be around 60.
5. Get a dust mite cover for his pillow and mattress.
6. Remove carpets from his room and install a hardwood floor.
7. Ensure their is no mold anywhere in the home - or at school.
8. Get indoor plants to help filter the air

Reduce environmental pollutant exposures:

1. Obtain a Shower Water Filter to remove chlorine from the water. Hot water releases more chlorine in the air which gets into the lungs and acts as a lung irritant. This can trigger asthma attacks. Same goes for swimming pools.
2. If taking a bath, toss in a few grams of vitamin C to the bath in order to process the chlorine. It works!
3. Use unscented soaps, detergents, etc in the home as they are toxic chemicals.
4. Avoid the Dirty Dozen fruits and vegetables found at www.EWG.org

Laboratory Testing:

1. Consider Food Allergy Blood Testing - not the best but it is fast and easy to do. Metametrix and US Biotek are fairly reliable as Food Allergy Panels go.
2. Consider the ION Panel by Metametrix to isolate many nutrient deficiencies without having to guess.
3. MTHFR laboratory testing as he may have a genetic defect causing a difficulty in processing heavy metals and also causes decreased absorption of active folate and B12. Reduced B12 is a known-cause of asthma.

Lot of information here.

This is a lifetime of asthma and other conditions.

Do not overwhelm yourself or the child. Aim with a few suggestions above, stay consistent and then add some more.

I find that about 3-5 things is the most anyone can do reliably.

Starting with the Digestive Repair and Immune support is paramount.

Child likely thinks the acne is most important so you can likely easily add that on.

Any questions, please do ask below.