Archive for January, 2010
Anti-Vaccination Doctor Found Guilty
, 01 28th, 2010
For over a decade MMR vaccinations—those preventing the measles, mumps and rubella—have been considered one of the possible causes of autism. This hypothesis was generated by Dr. Andrew Wakefield and two other researchers who were then employed at the Royal Free Hospital’s medical school in London. Since this finding, there was been significant controversy surrounding the validity of the study and the practices involved in garnering the research.
This week, the General Medical Council ruled that Wakefield was guilty of serious professional misconduct. Some of the allegations against Wakefield include dishonesty in the report and invasive testing methods. Wakefield runs the risk of being struck off of the medical register because of the ruling. In the years since his report, vaccination rates have fallen significantly, which has led to a rise in measles cases.
The Candida Basics
, 01 22nd, 2010We all contain various diseases within our bodies but most of the time we never actually become afflicted with them. Some organisms that many of us know to be detrimental to our health are, in fact, always in us. One of these substances is Candida, a genus of yeast.
Yeast infections are never pleasant, so it is only natural to assume that any organism that is yeast-related would be harmful. All of us, however, contain some of the Candida genus of yeast in our bodies at all times. There are certain species that cause disease and infection, and these are the ones that require attention. Thanks to the work of scientists, we have a thorough understanding of Candida and what forms of it are beneficial and vice-versa. If you are having trouble with your levels of Candida, the easiest way to reconcile this is with a Candida cleanse.
The Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning
, 01 19th, 2010
By now you are probably well aware of the dangers inherent from exposure to mercury and other heavy metals. While we all get some degree of exposure in our everyday lives, too much can cause serious health consequences. Although all people are at risk to mercury poisoning through excessive exposure, children are more likely to fall victim to various heavy metal poisoning.
Some of the most common mercury poisoning symptoms include: psychiatric disturbances, learning impairments and sensory abnormalities. These symptoms are quite similar to those of autism, which has suggested causation between mercury poisoning and the disease. Research shows that in utero exposure to mercury may cause autism, but as of yet, there is no evidence to suggest that post natal exposure leads to the disease.
Autism Awareness
, 01 15th, 2010
Autism is a condition that can cause confusion and conflict in the family. A lot of parents do not know how to deal with their child’s autism, but there have been many breakthroughs regarding autism in recent years. Autism awareness has never been greater, and now there are dozens of informative resources that you can refer to to learn more about this affliction.
Through a variety of autism treatments, children can become more independent and self-reliant adults. There are autism societies all over the world, and there are even autism workshops that families can attend. Families with autistic children can benefit greatly from reading books on autism and attending lectures given by specialists.
Birth Defects and Mercury Poisoning
, 01 13th, 2010
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.
The Truth about Vaccines
, 01 12th, 2010
Despite research showing the amazing benefits of vaccination, many parents are reluctant to get their children vaccinated. Surprisingly, the groups of people that are most hesitant to provide vaccinations to their children are those that are college educated. Many are concerned about contracting the disease through vaccination or other medical complications.
Dozens of studies have been conducted that debunk these rumors circling around vaccination. Some people say that since epidemics like the mumps or measles are not wide spread, there is no need for vaccines. What they fail to realize, however, is that the reason that these diseases are no longer a wide spread problem is that vaccines have, in large part, eliminated them.
Treatment for Mercury Poisoning
, 01 08th, 2010
While we have all heard cautionary tales about the ill-effects of heavy metal exposure—particularly mercury poisoning—few people know what the actual risks are. High exposure to mercury can cause damage to the central nervous system, as well as other organs such as the liver and intestinal tract. One of the reasons that mercury is so dangerous is that your body stores it up over time, which can magnify the health risks.
There is a way to treat excessive exposure to mercury and heavy metals: chelation therapy. In the US, DMSA is the most commonly used compound in this process. That acronym stands from dimercaptosuccinic acid, which is a organosulfur compound that latches onto the heavy metal molecules and works to remove them from the body.
The Basics of Probiotics
, 01 06th, 2010
While antibiotics are utilized to kill bacteria, probiotics, on the other hand, are bacteria in themselves. We often think of bacteria as being exclusively detrimental but many of them are necessary and beneficial, such as probiotics. These particular bacteria are essential in maintaining the natural balance of organisms in the intestines and ensuring proper digestion.
When antibiotics are taken, they kill bacteria indiscriminately. This means that while the harmful bacteria are killed, so are the beneficial ones like probiotics. It is important to maintain proper probiotic levels, otherwise inflammation and various digestive problems may ensure. There is also research suggesting that the use of probiotics can beneficial in people with autism.