Work with ex for child’s health

Dear Dr. Gott: My 13-year-old son suffers from bronchial asthma and diarrhea whenever he visits his father. There is a suspicion of abuse toward my son, which is one reason why we divorced. Could the conditions be stress-related? I’m under court order to allow visitation rights, and my son suffers as a result.

Dear Reader: Asthma is not, in most cases, related to stress. Rather, it is due to bronchial constriction caused by infection, inhaling cold air, or breathing in a substance (such as dust or animal dander) to which a person is allergic.

Rather than blaming your former husband for abusing the child, you might try to discover (with a pediatrician’s help) if there is something in your ex-husband’s house that could be contributing to the boy’s asthma. For example, are there animals present? Does your ex-husband smoke indoors?

The diarrhea is a more difficult knot to untangle. Stress can cause diarrhea, but so can a change in diet. Is it possible that your ex-husband could be supplying food that is causing intestinal upset?

Here is a somewhat esoteric possibility. Food allergies can cause diarrhea and, in some instances, asthma. Thus, the two conditions could be the consequence of an altered diet.

Most fathers would welcome the opportunity to help solve such a complex puzzle. I suggest that you try to enlist his cooperation in determining the cause of your son’s asthma and diarrhea. Once again, the pediatrician – with the assistance of an allergist, if necessary – can help you.

Finally, I want to address the issue of child abuse. This is a very serious problem and, if present, should (at the very least) be corrected immediately. If your former husband is abusive, the court should abrogate his visitation privileges.

To prove abuse, you’ll need evidence, such as obvious bruising and injuries, as well as the child’s testimony. The boy should undergo medical examinations, if appropriate, and your attorney should be consulted.

I share the view of many concerned citizens: Namely, that no child should have to live in an environment that is not safe and nurturing. Therefore, I urge you to continue to address this potential problem. However, I believe that you will require more convincing documentation than asthma and diarrhea.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies my Health Reports “Constipation and Diarrhea” and “Allergies.” Other readers who would like copies should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 per report to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).