Help With Autism

There is now a wealth of information that has illuminated the risks of heavy metals, particularly mercury poisoning. While many products that used to have mercury have been upgraded to safer materials, the public is still exposed to the element from fish and other foods. Many people are curious as to what birth defects mercury poisoning can have on their children.

No level of mercury is safe for humans, and some studies have suggested that mercury can lead to birth defects. Some researchers believe that the heavy metal may be the cause of autism in children. Many of the characteristics of autism are akin to those of mercury poisoning, such as psychiatric disturbances and defects in speech, language and hearing.

Most of us are aware that there are a myriad of health concerns and negative effects of mercury poisoning. For years mercury was a common substance in household items, such as thermometers, but due to health risks, that is simply not the case anymore. Today, most Americans get the majority of their exposure to mercury from fish and shellfish.

There are several factors that determine how much of a risk any particular exposure to mercury is. One of the biggest of these is the chemical form. Mercury comes in three forms—methyl mercury, elemental mercury, and organic compounds—all of which have different risks. The size of the dose, age of the person, and nature of the exposure, all have an impact on the severity as well.

By now you are probably familiar with the dangers and concerns surrounding mercury poisoning. In the last few decades there has been a concerted effort to eliminate mercury from household items such as thermometers and cosmetics. Despite these efforts, there is still worry over mercury poisoning, and most people consider fish to be one of the main risks today.

All fish store some amount of mercury in their bodies, which is absorbed from the surrounding water. Big, predatory fish like mackerel, shark and swordfish, have higher mercury levels from consuming other mercury-laden fish who are lower on the food chain. Because mercury accumulates throughout their lives, these fish can have astronomical mercury levels by the time they reach your table. Although mercury is present in virtually all fish, many have a negligible amount and are safe to eat.

As a parent, one of my greatest fears came true three years ago. My youngest son was sick, but not with any of the typical viruses that afflict small children. I looked for signs of flu or even the common cold, but there were none. In fact, the problem didn’t have anything to do with his respiratory system – at least not on the surface. When I took him into the pediatrician’s office and he was diagnosed with mercury poisoning a few minutes later, I was utterly flabbergasted.

The mercury poisoning symptoms were all there in front of our noses: his sudden lack of coordination, increased sweating, elevated heartbeat, sensory impairment and dulled memory. According to the doctor, methylmercury had entered the nervous system some months before, and if left untreated it would stay there and wreak even more havoc. The sooner we treated the problem, the fewer long-term effects would remain.

As soon as the diagnosis was handed down, my husband and I began to speculate about the source of the contamination. After throwing out some possibilities – we didn’t eat any more fish than a normal family, nor does our son have any amalgam fillings – the answer became clear. There had been a mercury-based preservative in one of his routine vaccinations. Needless to say, we were outraged. I recommend that every parent becomes familiar with the warning signs so that they can seek treatment right away.

By now most of us are familiar with H1N1 influenza, colloquially known as swine flu, a respiratory condition that has besieged many workplaces and a few universities as well. The flu is still relatively new to the American public, as it was first identified in spring of this year. H1N1 is particularly troublesome because of how quickly and easily it can spread from one person to another.

A vaccine has been formulated and made available to the public for the 2009-10 fuel season, which lasts until next May. The vaccine purports to prevent the following flu symptoms: fever, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting. If infected, most individuals experience flu-like symptoms for eight days. Although the Centers for Disease Control would have us believe that flu vaccines are safe, it’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks.

The H1N1 vaccine does contain thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that has been linked in some studies to the onset of autism in young children. Anyone who has read about or experienced the effects of mercury poisoning knows how harmful that toxic metal can be when it’s unleashed on human tissue. The Mayo Clinic recommends the following swine flu prevention options: stay home when you’re sick, wash your hands regularly and avoid contact with crowds.

It seems that with each passing week, more studies are released with disturbing results regarding the autism epidemic. This time it’s the medical journal Pediatrics, which one week ago reported that one in 91 American kids suffers from an autism spectrum disorder. As we’ve previously discussed on this blog, the autism spectrum includes “classic” autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder.In states across the country – most notably Missouri and New York – some legislators are pushing to mandate better medical treatment for autistic children. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., has been one of the most outspoken proponents for increased federal funding to autism research and mandatory coverage for autistic kids from insurance companies.

Autism remains a touchy subject; it’s not a cut-and-dried disease with obvious causes and fool-proof treatments. Many parents believe mercury poisoning to be among the key factors in contributing to the onset of autism in young children. Specifically, thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative found in certain childhood vaccines, is thought to have a detrimental effect. With any luck, at least some good could come out of this latest rash of diagnoses. Maybe now people will begin to demand some answers.

When parents begin to notice warning signs in their children’s behavior – difficulties communicating, compulsive behaviors and the like – they often jump to conclusions. Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders isn’t a matter that should be taken lightly. The process involves lengthy discussions with a family pediatrician who may or may not have any experience dealing with autistic children.

If you suspect that your child has a developmental disorder, but your doctor seems out of his or her element on the matter, get a referral to see a specialist. You’ll then encounter a number of diagnostic tests, including long interviews with the specialist which will be studied afterward. When the diagnosis finally arrives, you’ll have plenty to think about it. The market is saturated with products that ostensibly treat autism to some extent or another.

In order to effectively treat the disorder, you’ll need to trace it back to its roots. Many doctors suspect that the onset of autism in young children correlates with mercury-based preservatives in vaccines. The long-term effects of mercury poisoning match up with the symptoms of autism. Considering that mercury stays in the brain for years and years following the original exposure, it’s crucial that parents take a proactive approach to treating the problem.

The birth of a child is supposed to be one of the highlights of a mother’s life. It offers her a chance to display a whole new side – that of caregiver and nurturer. Unfortunately, the joys of childbirth are occasionally tempered by disturbing circumstances. When children are found to have birth defects, parents immediately think of all of the special care and costs associated with the condition.

Although the precise cause of most birth defects is difficult to pinpoint, there are a number of well-known risk factors that have been shown to be contributors. For example, women with high rates of exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy put their unborn children at significant risk. The effects of birth defects mercury poisoning causes are lasting and far-reaching.

Luckily, the general awareness about mercury and its dangers to humans is more widespread these days than ever before. Mercury exposure is rare, but an overabundance of seafood – especially shark, swordfish, halibut, salmon and canned tuna – can cause harm to pregnant women. After childbirth, it’s crucial that parents pay close attention to the vaccines their kids receive. Mercury has been used as a vaccination preservative in the past, and parents can never be too careful.

By now many of you have undoubtedly heard about the disastrous effects of thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that found its way into some children’s vaccines in recent years. Unsurprisingly, the fallout has been tremendous, and the medical establishment has been taken to task for its negligence and incompetence on the issue. While many parents are understandably angered and confused by their children’s exposure to a dangerous heavy metal, it’s important to correctly diagnose a problem before its treatment is addressed.

The Environmental Protection Agency lists the following problems as potential mercury poisoning symptoms. Peripheral vision is generally impaired, and patients complain of “pins and needles” sensations in their extremities. Coordination suffers as do speech, hearing, a motor function. Mood swings and memory loss are also common. If your child seems to be experiencing some or all of these symptoms, he or she should be examined by a medical professional. The sooner the problem is diagnosed, the sooner it can be resolved through innovative techniques.

In the last few weeks, we’ve dwelled on headlines that allude to the possibility of mercury-based preservatives in vaccines including that of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu. Today, let’s shift gears and investigate a potential solution for families that are already struggling with the scourge of autism as caused by mercury poisoning. Even if you’re feeling down, remember that there’s always hope.

Chelation therapy is one of the most popular forms of heavy-metal detox, and, along with the similar clathration therapy, has been proven an effective treatment of mercury-poisoning-related conditions. It’s important to note that in most cases the human body is capable of flushing mercury from the system in short order – but that’s not true of the heavy metal that reaches the brain. Once lodged inside the brain, mercury stays for years at a time unless it’s forced out through detoxification methods. With chelation therapy, you can wage a war against contaminants at the molecular level by dispatching chelating agents that counteract and remove mercury from the system.