By Sarah Turske, Student Pharmacist and Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist

“Puff, the Magic Dragon” was released in January of 1963 by the American folk group Peter, Paul and Mary.  The song peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in March of 1963.  The song was written by Peter Yarrow based on a poem by fellow Cornell University student Lenny Lipton. They shared writing accolades for the lyrics.  

The song was the inspiration for an animated TV special with two sequels. Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton made the lyrics into a children’s book with the illustrations by Eric Puybaret. The book is still available on the market.  

Peter Yarrow passed away on January 7, 2025 leaving only Paul Stookey as the remaining living member of the original group. 

There are several disease states that can make it hard to take a breath or even to puff breath out.  Asthma is one of the more common lung conditions. Medications to treat asthma can be effective in managing breathing issues.  To date, we only have mechanisms to treat asthma and to prevent future asthma attacks.  We do not have a way to prevent the development of asthma.

Asthma currently affects more than 25 million people in the United States, including more than 5 million children. Asthma is a chronic condition causing swelling inside of the lungs, leading to breathing problems. Common symptoms of asthma include chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing. 

There are different types of asthma. Some types of asthma can be caused by allergies, such as molds, pollens and pets, but other factors, such as exercise, stress, illness or weather can cause asthma. 

Childhood asthma begins before the age of five and can even occur in infants or toddlers. Children with a family history of asthma or allergic diseases have a higher risk of developing asthma.

A study published in October 2024 explored how the amount of exercise during pregnancy affects the occurrence of asthma in children. This study suggests women who exercise three or more times per week for 20-minute intervals during their pregnancy may lower their child’s risk of developing asthma.  Physical activity during pregnancy helps promote the newborn’s lung development and function, helping to lower the risk of asthma. 

The World Health Organization recommends pregnant women participate in at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. Including additional exercise during pregnancy may be difficult, but activities such as yoga, walking, and stretching may help achieve exercise goals without overworking the body. Exercise during pregnancy can have other health benefits, such as reducing stress, managing weight gain, and preventing complications like preterm birth and low birth weight. It is important for women to talk to their healthcare professional about exercise in pregnancy before starting strenuous activity.  

Smoking during pregnancy can also impact lung development.

A study evaluating 79 previous published studies showed the negative impact on lung development in the newborn in mothers who smoked during pregnancy or inhaled second-hand smoke (smoke from the environment). The risk of asthma is significantly higher in the children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy. The risk increases with each additional 5 cigarettes smoked each day.  Quitting smoking or vaping during or before pregnancy is ideal. Ask a healthcare professional for advice to quit smoking. 

Further research is needed to understand the relationship between exercise during pregnancy and childhood asthma. Helping children get the most out of a puff of air!

_______

If you are interested in more information please contact ONU HealthWise Pharmacy (419-722-3784). ONU HealthWise offers the shingles vaccine along with flu, COVID-19 and other vaccinations. The pharmacy is open at 9 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. weekdays, closing for lunch from 1-2 p.m. On Saturdays it is open 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.