DEAR READER: Yes, he or she is. Research has been ongoing for quite some time on this very subject. An associate professor of pediatrics affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital co-wrote a commentary that accompanied the research report.

Physicians, specifically obstetricians, have been advising pregnant women for years of the dangers of smoking to their unborn babies. A woman’s body does not act as a filter system protecting her fetus from the toxins in tobacco. The first trimester is most critical, but the consensus is that pregnant women should not smoke. The habit can cause low birth weight, and possibly aggressive and disruptive behavior. I say “possibly” because the jury is out on whether there is a connection.

Researchers did find that children whose fathers smoked were much more likely to be heavier at ages 7 and 11. There has always been a thought that a person who smokes will be thinner than one who doesn’t. Smoking may actually increase a person’s weight in the midsection and hips, and that trait is seen in children exposed to tobacco smoke.

While your daughter carries a possible burden by smoking, the secondhand smoke from her husband is equally to blame. She inhales what he exhales. Her fetus falls right into line and can suffer the consequences. What isn’t often discussed is thirdhand smoking — that is, the smoke that enters her lungs and their baby’s lungs from couch cushions, draperies, carpets, pillows, car seats and the like.

Kicking the habit is a difficult one, but there is help for anyone willing to try. There is counseling, over-the-counter patches, medications and step-by-step instructions through the website www.Smoking-Cessation.org.

Circulation will improve, blood-pressure readings will return to normal, the senses of taste and smell will improve, and the simple act of breathing will be easier when a person quits. What’s most important is that the risk of cancer will decrease each hour, day, month and year the habit is kicked. That sounds like a good legacy to pass on to your grandchild.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Pulmonary Disease.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.

DEAR READER: The lungs are organs the body cannot live without. Unfortunately, many people function with lungs that are not healthy, resulting in countless upper-respiratory infections and difficulties throughout their lives. The air we breathe is filled with impurities — from firsthand, secondhand or thirdhand cigarette smoke; cleaning-solution chemicals; automobile-exhaust fumes; and many other sources.

Herbal remedies for cleansing are many and include lotus-root tea, lemon juice, antioxidants, minerals, watercress soup and a host of other combinations. Save your money. Once damage is done to your lungs, the only effective treatment is to refrain from smoking and to limit possible exposure. If you have not already had one, request a chest X-ray to determine whether your habit has done any harm. If so, you may wish to make an appointment with a pulmonologist, who can provide some direction.

Each second, minute, hour and day you breathe without exposing yourself to toxins works toward the purification goal. I am sure that I will be chastised for panning cleansing recipes, but I find it hard to understand how blackened lungs will improve by drinking lemon juice or eating a bowl of watercress soup. You have recognized the dangers of smoking and have taken steps to correct the problem. By doing so, you are already on the path to a healthier life. The task of making a decision to discontinue smoking is not an easy one. Congratulations to you.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Pulmonary Disease.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.

After smoking for 15 years, I finally quit when my mother passed away from lung cancer. Almost immediately after quitting smoking, my migraines came back and were so bad that I couldn’t function. With three active children, this was not an option for me, so I started smoking again, and the headaches went away.

I am scared of what my future holds if I continue to smoke, and I truly want to quit. I went to my family doctor and a neurologist. I have tried several different medications, such as antidepressants, antiseizures and migraine-specific drugs, which didn’t work. I was on a blood-pressure medication briefly that worked well for the headaches, but after a while it caused my blood pressure to drop too much, and I ended up in the hospital being monitored.

I don’t know what the connection is with smoking and migraines, but I’m guessing it involves stress. Can you offer any suggestions on what to do so that my children don’t grow up without a mother? I don’t take any medicines except an occasional over-the-counter ibuprofen or naproxen for minor aches and pains.

DEAR READER: I am not aware of any connection between smoking and migraines. However, in your instance, this is clearly the case. I cannot recommend you continue smoking in order to control the headaches. I can, however, try to offer you some advice and recommendations that you may not have tried.

First, migraines are a type of headache that can be disabling when they occur. They typically cause severe one-sided head pain, may present with a visual aura (flashing lights, blind spots, etc.) and cause sensitivity to light and/or sound. Vomiting and nausea are also common symptoms. They can run in families, and those with a family history are at higher risk of developing migraines.

Each sufferer usually has specific triggers that, when a person is exposed to them, can result in a migraine. Triggers can include hunger, fatigue, hormonal changes, certain medications, stress, head trauma, changes in environment, sensory stimuli (such as bright lights or unusual smells) and certain foods, especially those with preservatives (nitrates), MSG or aged cheeses and wines.

If possible, retreat to a quiet, comfortable place at the first sign of a migraine. Turn off the lights, apply heat or ice to your head and neck, and gently massage the painful areas. For some, taking an aspirin or other OTC pain reliever with a caffeinated beverage such as a soda or coffee can boost the pain-relieving effects of the medication. Too much caffeine, however, may worsen the pain or lead to a withdrawal headache when the caffeine intake is stopped.

Typical prescription medications include antidepressants, antiseizure drugs and migraine-specific medications such as those you have tried. For some people, certain blood-pressure medications and other cardiovascular drugs may also be beneficial. However, because you have tried this without success, I recommend one of the following alternative treatments. Be sure that you have physician approval first because not all these treatments may be appropriate for your case.

Acupuncture may provide positive results, even though it is not routinely recommended because scientific studies have failed to show strong beneficial evidence. Because you have taken the conservative, modern-medicine route, now may be the time to try this ancient therapy.

Biofeedback is a relaxation technique that utilizes special equipment to monitor and control certain physical responses. By understanding the body’s response to certain stimuli such as tension, a person may be able to learn how to control and alter those responses.

The herbs feverfew and butterbur have shown some positive results in preventing or reducing the severity of migraines. High doses of vitamin B2 may also act as a preventive. Still others have had success with coenzyme Q10.

Finally, some migraine sufferers have had success with cervical manipulation; however, there is no scientific proof that chiropractic or spinal manipulation will help migraines. This treatment also carries the risk of arterial damage that may result in stroke or death. When performed by a qualified professional with experience, this is very rare.

I suggest you return to your primary-care physician or neurologist to discuss these options.

In the meantime, you should quit smoking. Substitute over-the-counter nicotine patches or gum to reduce the severity of your migraine symptoms during this stressful period.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Headaches.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.