Anyone have any info or experience with this prob? My neice is 6yo, and has had this problem constantly. She's been to countless doctors and they always do the same nonsense, say it's a infection antibiotics etc. when that's never the full solution. So now I'm thinking of using, breathing techniques, light massage and steam baths to try to correct this before it leads to any more serious problems, already she loses breath quick, and has other probs associated with mouth breathing. So if anyone has experience with this, any kind of safe remedies, or expectorants to use, or methods for a treatment program would be much appreciated. peace
Allergies are the most common cause. I am not a doctor, but I am a Maternal Infant care provider. The MOST common cause of mouth breathing is using Dairy products. Only COMPLETE elimination of dairy products for at least 4 weeks will tell you if this is the problem, this means reading labels, not just not drinking milk. Many children recover complletely in a matter of months or a year, when dairy is removed from the diet. (and to a question I always get; yogurt is not "OK" as it contains just as much Bovine IGA protein, Casein, and nearly as much Whey as fluid milk. In fact it has MORE Bovine protein. The problem her is NOT "lactose intolerance" as this is just not being able to digest the sugar and will not cause repiratory symptoms, only digestive ones.) Allergy is the Immune System attacking the Milk Protein, and the resulting respiratory, dermatological, digestive and behavior symptoms. Taking a "Lactaid" supplment will not help, as this only helps digest the sugar and has NO effect on the Proteins) The only course of both diagnosos and treatment is removal of the dairy. Does she have either chronic diahrea (Sp?) or constipation, frequent stomach aches or dark circles around her eyes? Does she throw up a lot? Is she a "picky" eater, as well? These are all common with Dairy Allergy, as well as other symptoms. "Scratch" tests and RAST tests can often be done as well. But, elimination is easier and can be done at home. Of course, most children with dairy allergies also have other allergies, food related, so seeing an allergist, a GOOD one, is a good idea AFTER a month off of dairy. I really hope her parents are willing to listen and will be willing to take her off of the most inappropriate food. I hope the child feels better.
I have for a long time though that milk could be the main cause for this. She does exhibit alot of the symptoms mentioned, dark circles under eyes, vomitting etc. The sad part is as your concern says, that her parents arent there at all for this, basically she is raised by her grandparents my brother and I. That's kinda of the tough part about this for me, she's well taken care of as far as standards for the "AMERICAN FAMILY" but it's not how I would raise my child, my brother and I are the only one's with sense in the matter, we make sure that she eat's healthy and get's outdoors regulary, and then her grandparents(divorced) get in the mix and she ends up going backwards again, my brother and I are at are wits end about it it's fn ridiculus . But anyway as for the milk thing I keep her off it because I don't use it myself it's just hard getting other people to understand that. On the positive I started using the steam, a child nasal moisturizer, and a hot water/ lemon drink, and she has alredy started clearing mucos after one day, so that looks pretty promising,. I'm just really worried trying to live my own life but worried about the quality of her's. thanks
You are a good uncle to take on a responsibility as this. It will take weeks to see chanbge when you eliminate the dairy. You said you don't use dairy yourself, the allergy may be genetic. They usually are. Read labels of things you feed her. There is SO MUCH dairy out there, in things you wouldn't think. Bless you for caring for this child. You are a good man.
