For the first time ever we are now confident enough to claim that asthma in children can be prevented and stopped. Most babies with parents suffering from allergies are likely to develop allergic problems. The most common are eczema and asthma. There is little question that allergies are the primary trigger of asthma. In babies and small children we now understand that exposure to allergens increases the probability that they will develop asthma later on. Exposure to smoke, lack of breastfeeding, early consumption of wheat, milk and citrus fruit are known to increase the chances of developing a respiratory allergy. Studies have confirmed that early exposure to dust mites, too, is a prelude to asthma and other respiratory allergic conditions.
An important study reported in The Lancet (20 June, 1992) was a confirmation of what scientists like myself have been saying for years. It also shows that your child does not have to suffer, if you take the proper precautions. In the study, blood from the umbilical cord was checked for its IgE levels because this is an indicator of possible allergies. Those with an elevated IgE were then divided into two groups.
The parents of one group were told to avoid feeding the babies any cow’s milk, fish, nuts, soya products, eggs, wheat or citrus fruits for the first twelve months. Breast-feeding mothers also followed the same diet. Those that had to be bottle fed were given a special allergens-free formula.
The babies spent the first year of their lives in an environment (the bedroom and home) that was as free of chemicals, plastics, fresh paint, dust, mould and as many other potentially harmful factors as possible.
The second group had no restrictions of any kind. Mothers and babies ate whatever they liked and their living environments were clean, comfortable and normal.
The results were nothing short of spectacular. The incidence of allergic disorders such as asthma and eczema in the second group was 300 per cent higher than in the first group.
The director of the Allergy Research Foundation in the USA, Dr Gary Rachelefsky, made the following comments (reported in Prevention, June 93):
This is the first decent study that tried to see if asthma or eczema could be prevented from developing by using both food and environmental controls.
Other studies focussed just on foods and, unlike this study, none showed any effects on asthma. Viral illness has always been considered the most important triggering factor of infant asthma. This study showed something different. Avoidance of the allergens also resulted in fewer viral-induced episodes of asthma.
Parents need to know that if the development of sensitization (the underlying process by which one becomes allergic) can be delayed for the first twelve months of life, the child’s immature immune system will have time to mature and to be able to defend the child’s body against any potential allergen. This must greatly reduce the chances of developing asthma in later life.
Allergic disorders like asthma are much more difficult to manage in small babies because of the minute size of their airways. It makes good sense, therefore, to prevent rather than treat the problem. All parents of children at risk should consider using the preventive measures discussed in this study as well as those described elsewhere in this book.
Prevention
Asthmatic children don’t have to live in a ‘bubble’, but keeping allergens and irritants from them can become a natural process which will not only help conquer the illness but also provide other health benefits. Remember the most important factors:
Avoid suspect foods.
Eliminate perfumes, scents and tobacco smoke.
Eliminate indoor sources of mould, fungi and house dust.
Remove all carpets from the bedroom and the rest of the house, if possible.
Use a peak flow monitor regularly. Often it is the only warning you will get that something is amiss.
Keep animals out of the house.
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YOU CAN STOP CHILDHOOD ASTHMAFor the first time ever we are now confident enough to claim that asthma in children can be prevented and stopped. Most babies with parents suffering from allergies are likely to develop allergic problems. The most common are eczema and asthma. There is little question that allergies are the primary trigger of asthma. In babies and small children we now understand that exposure to allergens increases the probability that they will develop asthma later on. Exposure to smoke, lack of breastfeeding, early consumption of wheat, milk and citrus fruit are known to increase the chances of developing a respiratory allergy. Studies have confirmed that early exposure to dust mites, too, is a prelude to asthma and other respiratory allergic conditions.An important study reported in The Lancet (20 June, 1992) was a confirmation of what scientists like myself have been saying for years. It also shows that your child does not have to suffer, if you take the proper precautions. In the study, blood from the umbilical cord was checked for its IgE levels because this is an indicator of possible allergies. Those with an elevated IgE were then divided into two groups.The parents of one group were told to avoid feeding the babies any cow’s milk, fish, nuts, soya products, eggs, wheat or citrus fruits for the first twelve months. Breast-feeding mothers also followed the same diet. Those that had to be bottle fed were given a special allergens-free formula.The babies spent the first year of their lives in an environment (the bedroom and home) that was as free of chemicals, plastics, fresh paint, dust, mould and as many other potentially harmful factors as possible.The second group had no restrictions of any kind. Mothers and babies ate whatever they liked and their living environments were clean, comfortable and normal.The results were nothing short of spectacular. The incidence of allergic disorders such as asthma and eczema in the second group was 300 per cent higher than in the first group.The director of the Allergy Research Foundation in the USA, Dr Gary Rachelefsky, made the following comments (reported in Prevention, June 93):This is the first decent study that tried to see if asthma or eczema could be prevented from developing by using both food and environmental controls.Other studies focussed just on foods and, unlike this study, none showed any effects on asthma. Viral illness has always been considered the most important triggering factor of infant asthma. This study showed something different. Avoidance of the allergens also resulted in fewer viral-induced episodes of asthma.Parents need to know that if the development of sensitization (the underlying process by which one becomes allergic) can be delayed for the first twelve months of life, the child’s immature immune system will have time to mature and to be able to defend the child’s body against any potential allergen. This must greatly reduce the chances of developing asthma in later life.Allergic disorders like asthma are much more difficult to manage in small babies because of the minute size of their airways. It makes good sense, therefore, to prevent rather than treat the problem. All parents of children at risk should consider using the preventive measures discussed in this study as well as those described elsewhere in this book.PreventionAsthmatic children don’t have to live in a ‘bubble’, but keeping allergens and irritants from them can become a natural process which will not only help conquer the illness but also provide other health benefits. Remember the most important factors:Avoid suspect foods.Eliminate perfumes, scents and tobacco smoke.Eliminate indoor sources of mould, fungi and house dust.Remove all carpets from the bedroom and the rest of the house, if possible.Use a peak flow monitor regularly. Often it is the only warning you will get that something is amiss.Keep animals out of the house.*38\145\2*
