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second hand smoke linked to croup and or asthma

i'm divorced and i have an 6 year old son who spends equal time with me and my x-wife. he is allergic to cigarette smoke and has slight case of asthma because of it.she will not stop smoking in her home. her daughter is 1yr and has now gotten the croup for the second time in three months could this also be second hand smoke related?
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, Croup and Smoking was started.
Helpful - 0
251132 tn?1198078822
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Although cigarette smoke is not an allergen, it is definitely a respiratory irritant.  Almost certainly both instances are related to the smoke exposure.  This is a very serious business.  Your son's lungs and the quality of his life are at stake.  You should do everything in your power to persuade your son
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Avatar universal
Smoking is known to cause asthma in children.  Don't know what croup is, but I found these links on a google search.

http://www.gynob.com/smoking.htm
http://www.drgreene.com/21_41.html
Croup is typically caused by parainfluenza viruses and is over quickly, but it can also be caused by longer-lasting viruses such as RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), especially in kids with asthma.

http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:xAEbTYSnq7cJ:www7.health.gov.au/nhmrc/advice/nhmrc/exec2.htm+croup+smoking+cause&hl=en

The key is getting your ex-wife to quit.  Most smokers want to quit, they often say, "Don't tell me why to quit, tell me how."
Most smokers who try to quit cold turkey are not successful and relapse.  Use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).  Studies have shown the best way is to use 2 NRT products.  The best option is Bupropion (brand name Zyban) with the patch or gum.  If her insurance doesn't cover Bupropion, then use the patch and gum to quit.

NRT drugs are classified like asthma drugs.  There are controller medications and rescue medications.  Bupropion and the patch are controller medications. The nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges, nicotine inhaler, nicotine spray are all rescue medications.  Controllers give you a steady dose, while rescue meds rescue you when you get the uncontrollable urge.  

You step down on the NRT slowly to reduce withdrawal symptoms.  Start with the 21 mg patch, then the 14, then the 7.  For the gum there are the 4 mg and 2 mg.  Heavy smokers use the 4 mg to rescue them.  There's a special way to chew them and park them in the cheek, and you can't drink anything acidic (or coffee)15 minutes before or during gum chewing.  Be careful not to overdose on nicotine.  Gum should be used only every 1-2 hours on urges.

For the nicotine gum, patches or lozenges, you can use store brands that are cheaper.  Walgreens, CVS sell their brands.  Don't let cost deter you as you will be saving money by not buying cigarettes.  Over $1,000 per year.

Here is a link to the dosage and duration for the drugs.
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/clinicaluse.htm

That is the physical addiction.  The psychological is the harder part.  The triggers.  Being around other smokers, drinking coffee, drinking alcohol.  See link:
http://health.yahoo.com/health/centers/smoke_free/12

Here is a website for smoking cessation programs in your area.  Just type in zip code.
http://www.quitnet.com/library/programs/

Smoking should be illegal considering it has carcinogens and causes all the medical problems.  Asbestos is illegal since it causes lung cancer.  Smoking also causes lung cancer, throat, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach, cervix, kidney cancers and a host of others.  In addition it causes problems to children as you see.

Here is a link on smoking illness.
http://www.gottaquit.com/cat/Smoking_Gun.html
http://web.clark.edu/lbrand/HPE%20258/notes.htm
http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/nicotinepatch/a/cancersmoke.htm
http://www.gottaquit.com/catList27/cat/Does_ETS_Kill.html

good luck
Helpful - 0

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