Archive for July, 2009

The Road to Diagnosis

Author: mom_to_one, 07 29th, 2009
The Road to Diagnosis

It wasn’t until my son turned eight that a doctor diagnosed him with autism. My husband and I had been noticing the symptoms for years, of course, but we had no clue what to think. At first I suspected an acute form of obsessive compulsive disorder because of my son’s need for order. He organizes all of his personal belongings – toys, clothes, etc. – in an intricate system.

My son’s teachers told me he was bright but shy in school and that he didn’t communicate in the normal way for his age group. That was when I began my research, reading articles on autism with great interest. It all seemed to add up. I recognized that we would have to work together to fight this disorder. Still, I longed to know how this could have happened in the first place.

Our new family doctor posed a series of questions about vaccination. Had Tommy been given a diphtheria and tetanus vaccination at a young age? I looked at the medical records and discovered that he had in fact received this treatment. More research led me to conclude that the vaccine probably contained Thimerosol, a preservative that has been linked to the onset of mercury poisoning and eventual autism in young children. Although I’ve only just begun the process of looking for a cure, I feel confident that there’s a treatment option out there for my son.

Keeping Harmful Yeast in Check

Author: mom_to_one, 07 28th, 2009
Keeping Harmful Yeast in Check

Most people think of antibiotics as being beneficial, and for good reason. Throughout the years, these substances have been used to achieve an altruistic goal: kill harmful bacteria that would otherwise wreak havoc on the human immune system. It’s easy to forget, however, about the dangers of getting “too much of a good thing.”

When antibiotics are introduced to the human body, they don’t always target harmful bacteria exclusively. In many cases, the good bacteria present in the system – the “innocent bystanders,” if you will – are caught in the line of fire. Oftentimes, these are the very same benign microbes that are meant to keep harmful ones in check. As their numbers are reduced, dangerous agents are allowed to operate freely.

This is precisely what happens early in life when antibiotics kill off the microbes that limit candida yeast production. Candida has been linked to the development and exacerbation of autism. As it multiplies, the yeast releases toxic substances that may cause confusion, hyperactivity, aggression, irritability and other symptoms in humans. A candida cleanse helps to alleviate these problems by sweeping the system clean of the yeast and its toxic byproducts.

Autism Puts Extra Strain on Parents

Author: mom_to_one, 07 21st, 2009
Autism Puts Extra Strain on Parents

For most parents, raising a child doesn’t feel like a job – it’s more akin to a sacred duty. Sure, it’s difficult for any person to put the needs of another first, but after a while parenthood becomes a natural state of being. Parents of autistic children are no different – they just want what’s best for their son or daughter. If taking care of an autistic child requires a bit more effort than most, few parents would realize it.

That’s at least true for most of a parent’s day-to-day life. But many autistic kids exhibit occasional bursts of frustration that begin to weigh on their parents’ psyches. Autism affects communication and social skills in a profound manner – in some cases preventing the child from articulating thoughts in a comprehensible way. This can lead to misplaced resentment; the child resents that no one understands him, and the mother resents that she has to deal with the bad behavior that results.

For parents who care for an autistic child, the most basic tasks can become exponentially more difficult because of a communication barrier. Luckily, certain autism treatment options have proven successful at restoring harmony to the parent-child relationship. Conscientious parents should investigate the existing body of autism research to decide which techniques are best for their children.

Mercury Poisoning: Detection Is Half the Battle

Author: mom_to_one, 07 20th, 2009
Mercury Poisoning: Detection Is Half the Battle

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. 

What Is Chelation Therapy?

Author: mom_to_one, 07 16th, 2009
chelation therapy

When the human body becomes contaminated with poisonous substances, many people turn to detoxification techniques. The liver and kidneys are specifically designed to filter out harmful impurities, but they can’t deal with more extreme toxins such as lead and mercury. Heavy metals – including lead, mercury and arsenic – can be successfully removed from the system through use of chelation agents.

Chelation therapy is typically administered intravenously by health professionals. Chelating agents isolate and bind heavy metal particles, helping to usher them out of the body. In some cases, FDA-regulated chelation agents have proven harmful to the recipient. On the other hand, orally administered clathration therapy has been shown to target and expunge mercury from the human body in a safe, efficient manner.

Clathration marks a significant step forward from chelation therapy in that it has proven effective for detoxifying autistic children who suffer from mercury poisoning. Although chelation served its purpose over the years, the concept has been significantly tweaked and improved with clathration.

An Everyday Struggle

Author: mom_to_one, 07 15th, 2009
An Everyday Struggle

Parents of autistic children are all too familiar with the day-to-day trials the disorder exerts on its sufferers. Autism impairs social functions and communication skills to the point where a child may not be able to express himself clearly. The child might demonstrate repetitive behavior that many people would associate with obsessive compulsive disorder. For instance, some autistic children react badly when even the slightest detail of their daily routine is augmented. Others display compulsions to follow seemingly arbitrary personal rules; in extreme cases, autism can cause self-destructive behavior.

The causes of autism remain ambiguous, which often frustrates those who deal with its effects every day. Research shows that there may be a pronounced genetic influence, but other possibilities exist as well. Studies show that mercury poisoning – which is highly treatable through detoxification – is linked to the onset of autism in young children.

The sooner we rid our society of the scourge called autism, the sooner our children can begin to live normal, healthy lives. New research is being conducted all the time, so conscientious parents should stay informed about new methods of treatment.

Just the Facts on Vaccinations

Author: mom_to_one, 07 09th, 2009
Just the Facts on Vaccinations

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.

Some Heavy Metals Don’t Rock, They Poison

Author: mom_to_one, 07 08th, 2009
Some Heavy Metals Don’t Rock, They Poison

It’s hard to believe, but the human body requires certain heavy metals to function properly. No, not that kind of heavy metal – you can make it through the day just fine without cranking up some Black Sabbath. Rather, humans would be unable to survive without various amounts of copper, zinc, iron and other metals. Iron deficiencies prevent blood from clotting, and they also afflict sufferers with a ghostly pallor.

Toxic metals, on the other hand, play no part in sustaining human life. Instead, they prove dangerous and volatile.

Mercury falls squarely into this second camp. When humans come into frequent or prolonged contact with mercury, the results can be catastrophic. Signs of mercury poisoning include excessive peeling skin, discoloration, rapid heartbeat, muscle weakness and others. It has even been linked to the onset of autism in some cases. Mercury poisoning is highly treatable if caught in the early stages; a careful investigation should be performed of one’s surroundings in order to locate and remove the problem’s source.

Parent Tips for Treating Autism

Author: mom_to_one, 07 02nd, 2009
Parent Tips for Treating Autism

When it comes to treating autism, it’s important to stack all the odds in favor of success. Parents of autistic children will need to incorporate a range of autism treatments to achieve the best results. This includes both medicinal treatments, and therapeutic treatments. In terms of medicinal treatments, while it hasn’t been proven, autism has often been linked to the buildup of dangerous toxins. These toxins begin to accumulate in the bodies of autistic children, and can be the cause of certain autistic symptoms. To address these toxins, which include heavy metals like mercury, it’s best to use an agent to purge the toxins like PCA-Rx. This medicine works to remove the toxins. In terms of therapeutic treatment, it’s important for parents to be involved with their autistic child’s education, which includes regular communication and interaction with their child. In addition, autistic children should be involved with peers as well, which can teach them valuable social skills.

While there is no cure for autism, with proper treatment, it’s possible to work through autism and for autistic children to lead normal lives. Parents who take an active role in their child’s life will have more successful children, as with all children!