• Our Mission

    Our Mission

    Our mission at PCD Smiles is to bring smiles to hospitalized primary ciliary dyskinesia, no mater their age; through the gift of a cheer package. Currently serving only The United States and Canada.
  • Request Cheer Package

    Request Cheer Package

    Know of a hospitalized primary ciliary dyskinesia patient? Please visit our “Request a Cheer Package” link and fill out our secured form to submit them for a cheer package today!
  • Donations

    Donations

    Our cheer package program runs on donations. To see how you can help PCD Smiles, visit our donations section today!
  • The PCD Artist Project is a collaborative effort by artist to raise awareness for PCD & support the PCD Smiles cheer package program. Visit our exhibits today!
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  • Nasal Washes, Yay or Nay?

    Nasal Washes, Yay or Nay?

    Are you Team Yay or Team Nay when it comes to nasal washes for you or your loved one with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD)? Nasal washes are an integral component to PCD care, or rather they could...
  • Disordered Sleeping and Sleep Disturbances in PCD

    Disordered Sleeping and Sleep Disturbances in PCD

    Disordered sleeping and sleep disturbances are more common in PCD than once thought. It’s not surprising given that you need to be able to breathe properly in order to sleep properly. Sleep related...
  • Can I live a Holistic Lifestyle with PCD?

    Can I live a Holistic Lifestyle with PCD?

    There are no studies into holistic lifestyle alongside a primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) diagnosis. There are however a few antidotal reports from the PCD patient population where patients have...
  • PCD Awareness Month a Necessary Evil?

    PCD Awareness Month a Necessary Evil?

    We are a little less than two weeks away from another PCD Awareness Month. I’m just not feeling it this year. It seems to get a little more difficult each year, and I am not sure why it gets more...

Dear Smile E.

Someone said I should give up dairy because I have PCD. Is it true that giving up dairy will slow down my mucus?

Signed,

Dairy Lover

 

Dear Dairy Lover,

The dairy mucus myth traces back to ancient times and isn’t based in any real scientific facts. Unfortunately depending on which side of the dairy mucus debate look there are equally supportive claims, reasons, and supposed scientific data to back up each side’s claims. What we do know is that animal protein is extremely important in one’s nutritional requirements, and has been shown to be scientifically better for your body than plant protein. Shocking, right? Secondly the emulsification process of milk you consume it actually coats already present mucus in your throat and mouth making it appear as if milk is increasing your mucus. So basically the milk is making you aware of the mucus that you already have. This can induce coughing to clear the mucus you now know is there. Which coughing is the natural response to clearing stuck thick mucus. This is all perfectly normal. However most people cling to this process to prove the the milk increased their mucus production. Humans need dairy, including milk. We need the protein and calcium found in milk as well as other byproducts of dairy. Substituting dairy with plant based options my actually increase a person’s risk of nutritional and vitamin deficiencies, which may add unnecessary issues to a respiratory patient’s life and overall health picture. I encourage you to speak with your medical team today about your exact nutritional needs, especially before making any changes. Ask you team for a referral to a nutritional specialist today.

Yours Truly,

Smile E. Turtle

 

Do you have a question for Smile E.? 

Please EMAIL your questions to; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

And tune in next Sunday to read the latest Ask Smile E.

Join our Facebook group Turtle Talk Café today, click here.

We have several ways that you can donate to PCD Smiles;

- Visit Smile E. Turtle's Amazon Wishlist

- For more information on how you can donate, please visit our "Donation" page to check out our "Do & Don't policies.

- Or sponsor a PCD Smiles cheer package today!

- To shop for your “Official” turtle care ribbon gear today, visit PCD Style or Smile E. Cove

Thank you for your consideration!

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PCD Smiles’s 1st  Biennial Fundraiser Painting 4 Smiles

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Can you help us reach our goal? PCD Smiles’s 1st Biennial fundraiser Painting 4 Smiles runs the...
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