any nurses out there? or docs?
we just had a dr. appt for SD and they said;
The dr. said second-hand smoke is irritating the passages of sd's sinus and then causing a build-up of fluid of the inner ear, which is causing the inner ear pain.
The dr. was very adamant that sd’s problems of the inner ear are caused by second-hand smoke (discussion of reasons for sd's diagnosis lasted approx. 45 min). The dr. gave sd a nasal spray to open up sd's sinus and clear up the fluid in the inner ear. Also, while in the appt. sd brought up the topic of sd's breathing trouble when sd is exposed to second-hand smoke and during exercise. The dr. gave sd two inhalers for the breathing problems, advair for morning and night for one month and albuteral to take before exercise. Doc says that the advair should reduce the need for albuteral.
sd is downplaying the second-hand smoke theory even though the dr. spent the majority of the appt. discussing this in detail of how second-hand smoke causes these problems. I think sd downplays it because sd loves bm very much and doesn’t want bm to be upset about it.
anyway my point is sd's health is in question due to secondhand smoke. we don't smoke in our home - bm smokes alot in her house and in the car with windows closed.
bm claims all the above is in sd's head
how do we convince bm is endangering sd's health?
can we get an order for bm not to smoke around sd?
how can we protect sd?
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BM should be aware that smoking causes health problems, second-hand smoke aswell. I am not sure if you will be able to convince her to stop endangering SDs health, especially since I am sure she already knows this but does it anyway. You could try to get a court order maybe to have BM smoke outside instead of inside the house and when SD is not in the car to have BM not smoke at all or smoke her cigarette before she gets in the car. I mean I don't see why not, if you can actually prove that it's affecting SDs health. I mean it is for the best interest for the child.
"Look at how far you've come and stop concentrating on how much further there is to go."
No smoking
I know that it was written into the custody agreement with my DH and his ex that neither parent is to smoke around the kids. I guess the question would be, what would happen if this was not followed, would the courts really do anything about it? It might be worth a shot but unless the BM is willing to go along with this I don't see her changing her habits.
my daughter's pediatrician
told me the same thing because she has had problems with her ears...
I heard this too
The home my ex took our daughter to as a baby was heavily smoked in. She had ear infections almost constantly for the first 2 years of her life except for the first 7 weeks when she only on my care. I almost had tubes put in her ears but changed my mind because the tubes in a small kids ears gets longer after the age of 2.
I believe that second hand smoke can cause the problems SD is having. Unless you can convince BM to stop smoking around BD, there is not a whole lot you can do to stop her. Contact social services, maybe, since she is endangering the childs health and well-being.
good luck
Articles or Internet References?
I'm just wondering if any of you know of any articles of internet references (preferably noted by medical profesionals) that state that 2nd hand smoke can cause inner ear troubles? Especially ones stating that tubes had to be placed in a child's ears?
Thanks.
yes, found info
on JAMA journal of american medical association and other medical website. also secondhand smoke can cause brain problems in infants and toddlers that result in behavioral problems like hyperactivity.
My son had chronic ear infections
His little ear drum perforated twice. Our ped Doc tried to convince my ex and his wife to stop smoking in front of the kids. But how far can you go?
What bothered me most was that was a shared rule when my ex and I were together. We both smoked then, though I was more a social smoker. But we agreed once we had kids not to smoke in the house, or let the kids see us smoking. Then after the divorce he met a smoker- 1-2 packs a day level, who smoked in front of her own kids. His resolve melted. I often smelled smoke on them when I picked them up. I never understood why he caved on something like that. As a matter of fact when I suggested they only smoke outside like we used to he said I was a hypocrite by not letting the kids know I smoked. WHAT?
I also didn't get loaded in front of my kids, or invite strange men over...but hey! What do I know right?
I couldn't believe it. My kids eventually figured out I smoked occassionally, but they appreciated I didn't do it in front of them. In the long run my ex's wife developed health problems and quit smoking. ExH followed suit. But I just hated that battle that went on for several years.
It definitely affects ear health. Your Dr is correct. Get it in writing from him. So frustrating that with all the data, people are still subjecting their kids to this.
Peace, love, and red wine
It's seems to be harder for some smokers-
to exercise general common sense when it comes to this subject.
By all means get an order to protect that child if in fact her own mother will not listen to a voice of reason, be it your husbands or the doc's! If she has health problems and the dr. has indicated that secondhand smoke is the culprit, you guys should have no problem getting a court order.
I remember when my SS who was 7or 8 at the time always reeked of smoke when he came over for visitation. This had gone on for a few years. BM is the kind of parent who would sit in the smoking sections of restaraunts with him, smoke in the house and in car WITH THE WINDOW ROLLED DOWN JUST ENOUGH FOR HER TO "ASH". It was infuriating. Finally I gave her a piece of my mind and told her it was not only atrocious and selfish, but mainly hazardous to his health.(not really my place, I know) but she quit smoking with him in the car at least.
Good luck to you guys! Hope you all get that resolved!
The gene pool could use a little more bleach!