Why does my daughter keep getting sick?

Question

She's had bronchitis twice in 3 months & is nowing getting a chest cold again. I though t might be my smoking in the house, so since the last time she got sick I smoke on my porch. The doctor doesn't have an answer except allergies but I don't buy it. She did have over 15 ear infections as a baby (she's 14 now) & they were going to put the tubes in but they stopped at age 4. Now they're starting up again. She's been on the Z pack antiobiotics so much they don't work anymore. If you don't know why can you please tell me how to make her feel better without antibiotics again. The doctor says if she takes much more they won't help her when she gets older, but she is in such pain with her ears & only got off the Z pack a week ago Thanks to anyone who can offer advice

I don't know what they Mayo Center is but I'd have to travel across the country to get there

Someone asked about my health because I smoke. The truth of the matter is that the doctor told me I will maybe if I'm lucky live to 55. I have copd & apparently even if I quit smoking there is no cure

Answer 1

lots of info....
first, you need to stop smoking altogether...the smoke sticks to your clothes and she can still breath it. 2nd hand smoke is more deadly as well (increased chances of lung cancer)
2nd...antibiotics will not work for bronchitis. bronchitis is usually viral...pneumonia needs antibiotics...over prescribing antibiotics can make your immune system falter and make you more susceptible to infection...and over repeating them can make you resistant to them as well
era infections in a baby are related to bottle sucking and immature anatomy (and they usually go away as you get older like hers did).
maybe a look at the environment may help...any new changes, does she take any meds, birth control?, what are her friends doing and are they sick...is her immune system in top shape...does she eat right and get enough rest? does she have any other preexisting medical problems...has she had a chest xray to look at the anatomy? is she coughing anything up? fever?
is she taking any otc's that may have an adverse effect? what about the ears...any drainage? hearing loss? deos she have a 'glue ear' and the secretions are too thick to drain normally? has she had a ct of her sinuses?
what about her teeth...bad teeth can sometimes be a hint of lung problems...what about her weight...overweight...does she have reflux and acid drainage into her lungs on occasion causing irritation...asthma?
sorry to run on...but a few things to see if anything sounds familiar\
good luck

Answer 2

She may need the tubes put in now, regardless that she's older now (a teen). Tubes helped my son out immensely, he had them when he was 2 and only has had one ear infection since then and that was swimmers ear from too much pool-time. Tubes are a God-send! The doctor he was originally going to was always putting him on different antibiotics and never suggesting tubes being placed in his ears. I switched and right away the new doctor made the referral for us to an ENT and it was done!

Did you by chance smoke while pregnant? Just asking.... Do not smoke around her anymore though, it's good that you smoke outside now though, wise choice. She sounds like she has a suppressed immune system which is allowing her to keep becoming ill or her eardrum/canal isn't at its proper size and draining properly which causes the back-up and infections.

She will start to become immune to antibiotics the more she is on them so try to avoid them. I would talk with her doctor about the tubes, really!

Answer 3

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter - and her illness sounds concerning - all those antibiotics- they help one thing and cause problems with 10 other areas. The BEST advise and one you should listen to is GET ANOTHER OPINION- I dont know where you live but find the best children's hospital close to your home and make an appointment for her to be evaluated. Money shouldn't be a problem because they see kids for free if you do not have the means- but she needs to be see by an allergist and ENT (ears, nose and throat specialist) The Zpack can also cause infections because it is so strong it is killing off good bacteria and she can start having bladder and vaginal infections. Please take her to someone else-- no one is god on this planet- even though most docs think that they are-- get that 2nd and maybe 3rd opinion but your best bet is at a children's hospital.

Answer 4

The more you put her on antibiotics the sicker she will become. Not only does antibiotics kill the bad bacteria it also kills the good. You should put her on some pro biotics (pro) meaning "for". This will put the good bacteria back into her intestines so she can fight off infections better. Also seeing a chiropractor once or twice a month. Her atlas in her neck is probably "out" this will contribute to allot of respiratory ailments. I am a mother of four and when my kids get sick (which they rarely do) I take them to a chiropractor and give them nutritional supplements or foods that will build their immune system. There are allot of things you can do. I find that the more you take kids to see their pediatricians the sicker they get because the overuse of antibiotics. You can pick up a book called "Prescription For Nutritional Healing" by Balch. This will give you a good guide in when to take her to the doctor versus when to let nature take its course. Trust a mom of Four healthy children. Good luck. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

You can start with your home. Please don't take this as a criticism since I don't know you personally. This is not an attack on your housekeeping or anything.

*Encourage the entire family to wash their hands often to stop the spread of germs.
*Keep your home dust free, including carpets and sofas.
*Vacuum at least once a day.
*Wash/change her linens once every 48 hours so she won't recycle her own germs.
*Wipe surfaces down really well with Lysol cleaner and then follow up by spraying Lysol directly on doorknobs, faucets, fridge handles, remote controls, telephones and other commonly used items in the house.
*The most important thing is the garlic. Garlic is a natural antibiotic. Boil a clove with at least 8 oz. of water every day and have her drink it. It tastes gross so feel free to add some chicken broth to it for flavor. You can also buy garlic supplements from any health food store.

Answer 6

Well, First thing once you have bonchitis it is easy to have it over and over again. Has your child been teasted for asthma? That can cause alot of those problems. Tubes are a bad idea they cause more complications later in life as well as they fall out and she will have to go through the whole process again. I know this because I have been working in a hospital for a very long time. As for your childs doctor, take her to a GOOD childrens hospital in your area and explain to them what is going on they may have a respatory specialist look at her.

Answer 7

It's your smoking. Before I even read your comment about your smoking, that was my first guess. She may have started to smoke as well, which you may never notice b/c you have the smell in your clothes already, and may not be able to detect it on her. Cigarette smoke damages the cillia in the lungs which move mucus and contaminants out of the lungs. When those are damaged, the lungs lose some of their ability to get rid of infection. Also, smoke damages the mucous membranes in the nose and sinuses, which get infected and lead to ear problems. I guarantee you her ear problems were a direct result of cigarette smoke. A dr will never outright tell you this, but all people I've ever known who smoked around their kids ended up putting tubes in their kids' ears and worse...
Quit now, and save both your health and hers...

Answer 8

does she still have her tonsils, sometimes this is a problem, do u keep a vaporizer going in her room at night? and has she ever had a pneumonia shot? i suffer with alot of the same things ur daughter does and all things have helped me/ what kind of allergies, is it dust and mold or animal ? does she sleep with feather pillows , if so , take them away. i know it sounds crazy but when her bronchitis is kicking up run the air conditioning a little , because it puts out filtered air. u can e mail me at [e-mail] if u want to

Answer 9

hunny...all i can say is to take her to see a completely different doctor...but if all else fails...i no its none of my business and i no yer proly sic of hearing it but maybe u shud stop smoking period. its not good for yer health either. maybe its something in yer house too...has anyone else in the house hold been getting sic?! if it were me...and if i was old enuff to move away from my parentals...i wood move...haha...well im really sorry about yer daughter...im 15 and i no that it must suck to be sic twice with bronchitis in 3 months...i hope she gets better...

~taylor

Answer 10

i dont really know wut to say about the medicine becuz im not a pro but maybe its cuz of ur somking ( maybe half way) . im almost 13 & my dad smokes to & i havent have many side affects . but my lil bro has . he has asma so thats probablywhy..but since you smoke on the porch make sure it doesnt go in the house (just in case) to stop the pain in her ear try to comfort her buy her stuff like foot massagers or something like that . just to make her a lil better . like any 14 year old she probably likes music but since her ears hurt try to give her soothing sounds so they wont hurt as much.. sure they arent medicine but it helps to relax .