Help With Autism

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.

When their child is finally diagnosed with autism, parents often experience conflicting emotions. It’s perfectly normal to feel frustrated and angry, but there is also a sense of closure associated with the experience – some justification that the parents’ fears were justified and their suspicions were correct. If left untreated, autism can tear a hole in the fabric of a healthy family dynamic. It complicates communication and presents a number of unique difficulties.

In order to deal with the issue with quickness and efficiency, parents should first remember that their child is no different now that he or she has been diagnosed with autism. The diagnosis should not be viewed as a damning sentence but rather as the first step on the road to recovery. After all, it’s impossible to treat a disorder that you don’t understand or cannot identify in the first place.

After a doctor makes that diagnosis, ask around to find specialists in the geographic area. Although pediatricians are for the most part very competent at treating a range of childhood problems, most are not equipped to deal with an autistic patient. You’ll want to get to work immediately in an attempt to trace the cause of the disorder. If you suspect that your child has been exposed to heavy metals such as mercury as a result of vaccine damage, you’ll want to do some homework on alternative therapeutic methods.

Each fall, news reports serve up the grim reminder that flu season is on the way. And in the wake of the recent swine flu scare that spread from Mexico into the United States and abroad, the level of hype and fear surrounding flu season is underscored further. Doctors and health professionals nationwide have been quick to point out, however, that swine flu vaccines shouldn’t be hastily slapped together and made available to the public without some serious scrutiny.

Experts are urging patience on the part of the Centers for Disease Control, which aim to release 120 million doses of H1N1 virus vaccine for popular consumption by autumn. The reason for this buzz kill? It’s “highly probable” that many of the doses of the new vaccine will include trace amounts of thimerosal. That mercury-based preservative has been linked to the development of autism and other disorders. As a result it has become notorious in autism support circles.

Government health officials have assured the press that rigorous clinical trials are set to take place before the fall release date, so there is certainly no reason to panic. Still, it remains essential for every conscientious parent to read as much as possible about the benefits and detriments of vaccination. It could mean the difference between a healthy childhood and serious communicative disorder.

A study released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would appear to confirm the suspicion that autism rates have risen significantly in recent years. According to the findings, 1 percent of all U.S. children have an autism spectrum disorder. That percentage is even greater among male children – perhaps as high as 2.6 percent.

The symptoms of autism can differ tremendously on a case-by-case basis, and there are a few other disorders that fall under the purview of autism spectrum disorder. These include Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder. The health department study is particularly jarring because its findings are far different from previous autism estimates from the Centers for Disease Control.

Some experts have been led to wonder whether vaccine damage could be responsible for the spike in autism diagnoses. The Hepatitis B vaccine, which was introduced in 1991 and given to newborn babies within a few hours of birth, contained 25 micrograms of the mercury-based preservative thimerosal. Mercury exposure has been linked to the onset of autism in young children, which makes this potential connection even more troubling. 

The Swine Flu virus, which directly caused or contributed to 430 deaths this year alone, has been weighing on the minds of health professionals and other citizens since early spring. Many minds were eased when it was announced that a vaccine could treat the H1N1 outbreak. Unfortunately, that news has been tempered considerably by a new, disturbing discovery.

According to a number of natural health advocates, the vaccine could contain traces of the mercury-based preservative thimerosal. Parents of autistic children will likely be familiar with this substance, which has been banned in the United States for some time. It has been linked to the eventual onset of autism in young children.

The National Autism Association has reported that an ever increasing number of doctors and other health professionals have admitted a link between heavy-metal exposure and autism. As a conscientious consumer, it’s important to seek out information about thimerosal and other dangerous compounds. Make sure that you understand the potential benefits and detriments of a particular medication before having your child vaccinated.

Mercury is the most deceptive of heavy metals in that its toxicity can wreak havoc on the human body even as the metal evades detection. Most toxic metals, including lead, can be easily discovered through blood tests. Mercury is an exception, however, and the effects of untreated mercury poisoning can prove disastrous.

Doctors have difficulty locating mercury in the bloodstream because it quickly migrates to other areas of the body within a week of the initial exposure. The human liver and kidneys are intended to filter out potential toxins, but have a hard time coping with mercury. The metal collects in these organs, as well as the intestines and brain, leaving only traces in the blood, urine and hair.

Within a few months of exposure, most of the mercury is filtered out of the system. Mercury stays in the brain much longer than it does in organs outside the central nervous system – sometimes as long as 20 years. Needless to say, the presence of a heavy metal in close proximity to brain tissue can have devastating effects. Children who received vaccines with the mercury-based preservative Thimerosal often begin to display signs of autism months of even years after their initial exposure. The sooner this variety of autism is discovered, the sooner it can be diagnosed and treated. 

Vaccines represent a cornerstone of human achievement. Years of science and medical breakthroughs have taught us that many viruses and diseases can be eradicated through the use of vaccines. Just a few generations ago, smallpox and polio presented valid concerns to the medical community. In the 1900s alone, smallpox epidemics contributed to some 400 million deaths worldwide. Today, the disease is a historical footnote. Elsewhere, the advent of an oral polio vaccine helped keep that debilitating illness from crippling future generations.

These medical triumphs have been tempered by a few failures, however. Not all vaccines have served their intended purpose, and some have even been shown to cause detrimental side effects. Despite the best intentions of scientists and researchers, oversights and mishaps have been known to occur. For example, certain vaccines containing the mercury-based preservative Thimerasol have been linked to cases of autism. These cases provide a reminder that although vaccination has had a generally positive effect on the human population, it’s still important to exercise caution and stay informed about new medical solutions.

In the past, when research was less intensive and could often lead to false results and conclusions, there have been several medical failures. In the early 20th century, for example, the preservative thimerosal was invented to preserve the contents inside vaccinations. The preservative contained a small amount of mercury, which is one of the most volatile substances known to man. When injected into the bloodstream, even a small amount of mercury could wreak havoc on the body’s functions. In fact, even eating fish, which all contain a small amount of mercury, can cause the toxin to build up in the body over time and lead to serious problems. Thimerosal was used for decades until it was discontinued in the 2000s, though some vaccinations still contain the preservative. However, while it was in use, thimerosal was linked to several serious health conditions, often because it was used in childhood vaccinations.

Thimerosal has been linked as a potential risk for causing autism in children. Because all children receive vaccinations after birth, those already at increased risk for developing autism can develop the condition due to the introduction of mercury. 

Since the 1930s, vaccines have contained preservatives designed to eliminate bacteria and fungi that can form in the vaccine. These bacteria and fungi, when injected into the blood, can cause serious problems and are a cause for concern. There have been deaths in the past associated with contaminated vaccines. Thimerosal was one of the first preservatives used in vaccinations. This preservative contains about 50% mercury by weight, and is one of the most popular preservatives to use in vaccinations. While some studies have shown that the micrograms of mercury contained in thimerosal aren’t harmful to humans or animals, others have indicated that this substance is at fault for serious health conditions. Mercury is a volatile and toxic substance that can cause significant damage to the nervous system with high doses. The mercury contained in thimerosal has been linked to conditions of the nervous system like autism.

While thimerosal has been removed from child vaccinations, it is still prevalent in other vaccinations and used in other countries outside of the United States. It’s important to be aware of the dangers of thimerosal and to check the preservatives in both childhood and adult vaccinations.

Vaccines all have the potential to cause side effects, but when these side effects can be life-altering, it’s best to know all the facts before immunization.  Most documented cases of vaccine damage are most often caused by preservatives contained in routine childhood vaccinations.  The United States government instituted a program in 1988 that would cover individuals and families injured by childhood vaccines, and since then the program has paid out more than $903 million dollars.  It’s important to be aware of the preservatives contained in vaccinations to avoid vaccine damage.

While a child might be immune to measles, mumps, and rubella, they might become a victim of a more serious condition like autism if the proper precautions are not taken during vaccination.  No doubt vaccines are necessary to prevent a lot of terrible diseases and illness, but being aware of the potential side effects is always a good idea.