breathing easy

POSSIBLE HELP FOR BREATHING PROBLEMS -- Professors of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston have noticed that people who take vitamins C and E had a lower incidence of chronic lung problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Only 99mg of vitamin C seemed to improve the way the lungs react to cigarette smoke, pollution and other air-borne irritants. The doctors recommended a diet rich in fruits and vegetables for overall good health.

FYI -- Individuals with allergies and asthma who consume 500 mg. of vitamin C daily may experience fewer symptoms.

ATTENTION ASTHMA SUFFERERS -- Many medications prescribed for asthma and hypertension can cause heartburn. If you take these drugs, ask your doctor how to treat digestive upsets; using antacids while taking these prescriptions can cause drug interactions.

ASTHMA SUFFERERS -- In studies from Tel Aviv University, people with exercise-induce asthma (EIA) were given 2 grams vitamin C before exercising. Almost half of the asthma sufferers had no EIA. Several others had milder EIA with the vitamin than without it. Other studies have shown that asthmatics tend to have lower levels of vitamin C than do non-asthmatics. The researchers in this study note that vitamin C's effects are not fully understood and that the vitamin does not protect against asthma attacks not related to exercise.

ACHOO! -- Babies are not born with allergies, but they are born with genetic susceptibility to develop allergies as they grow. If both parents have allergies, a child has a 40%-60% risk of developing allergic rhinitis (hay fever), eczema or asthma. If only one parent or sibling is allergic, the risk drops to 20%-40%. The risk to children born to non-allergic parents is approximately 20%. If you or your spouse is allergic you can take steps to help your newborn or toddler minimize their allergy exposure before they develop symptoms.

These steps include: no indoor pets; dust mite covers on mattresses and pillows; keep humidity low (no humidifiers); wood or linoleum floors in bedrooms; minimize bedroom stuffed animals; put the remaining stuffed animals in the freezer overnight once a week to kill mites; breast feed for first six months if possible and introduce solids slowly; delay introduction of eggs until two years and peanut, fish and nuts as long as possible.

ACHOO! -- To reduce your exposure to indoor allergens: Change or clean your cooling and heating system filters once a month. Reduce the humidity in damp areas by using a dehumidifier set between 25% and 50%. Wash floors and molding frequently. Replace wallpaper that shows traces of mold.

EAR PIERCING INFO -- Before getting you, or your daughter's, ears pierced, wear clip-on, stainless-steel earrings for a few days. If itchiness or a rash develops, you have allergic tendencies and may have earlobe infections after piercing.

SECOND-HAND SMOKE -- People who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke should consume more foods high in beta-carotene (carrots, squash, yams, sweet potatoes and other yellow-orange vegetables) as well as foods rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits, peppers and broccoli) and vitamin E (wheat germ and nuts). All are especially effective in helping your body cleanse your lungs and wash away pollutants.

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