Help With Autism

Do you believe that you or a loved one has mercury poisoning?  Here are some of the mercury poisoning symptoms to look out for:

The most common symptom is peripheral neuropathy, which may present itself as itching, burning, or pain. Skin discoloration (particularly on the cheeks, fingertips, and toes), swelling, and skin shedding are also common. Sweating, elevated heart rate, and hypertension may also occur. In children, mercury poisoning may present itself as increased sensitivity to light, red cheeks, nose and lips, as well as loss of hair, teeth, and nails.

For several decades, we have known about the harmful effects of mercury on fetuses. Unfortunately, it took a disaster for us to find out. Doctor Masazumi Harada studied Minamata disease and discovered that those adults who had been exposed to a horrific mercury contamination in Japan gave birth to children with cerebral palsy and other infantile disorders, at higher rates.

Through his work he was able to prove that placenta does not protect a fetus from mercury toxins in the mother’s blood stream, as is true with other toxins. Instead, the placenta removes the mercury from the mother’s bloodstream and concentrates it in the fetus. In other words, Minamata disease causes birth defects mercury poisoning, reinforcing the need for pregnant women to avoid exposure to mercury, including consumption of high-mercury fish.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some complementary and alternative medicine practitioners blame common ailments on an intestinal overgrowth of Candida albicans, aka yeast syndrome. Often these practitioners recommend the Candida cleanse diet which cuts out sugar, white flour, yeast, and cheese.

There isn’t much evidence, according to Mayo Clinic internist Brent A. Bauer, M.D., that a Candida cleanse diet treats recognized medical conditions. This is not to say that the cleanse should be wholly discounted. There are real benefits to the diet as it forces people to cut out foods of low nutritional value (most processed foods, which are notoriously bad, contain sugar and white flour).

Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder has come out in strong support of initiatives to protect and treat the children of his state. Among his announcements, Snyder called on insurance companies to cover autism therapies. He is specifically supporting two bills in the state senate that would require coverage to be offered for children until age 18 at a maximum of $50,000 a year.

Peter Bell, executive vice president for programs and services of Autism Speaks said, “Without insurance coverage, Michigan families often pay as much as they can out-of-pocket for service that can cost upwards of $50,000 per year. In the process many risk their homes and the educations of unaffected children- essentially mortgaging their entire futures.” Twenty-seven other states provide insurance coverage for autism treatments.

Probiotics are bacteria that can live in the human digestive tract and are thought to improve gastrointestinal function. There are several ways to incorporate probiotics into your diet. The two best routes are through food and supplements.

Probiotics are often added to fermented dairy products, particularly yogurt. The benefit of eating food with probiotics is that you get other nutrients at the same time. Probiotics in supplement form is great for a person on the go who doesn’t have time for a full meal, or for a person who needs a higher concentration of probiotics.

Chelation therapy is used to remove toxic metals from the blood stream. As with any instance when you put a substance into the body there are risks. Though it may seem counterintuitive, lead poisoning is a risk. The Arizona Department of Human Services has warned its constituents that while undergoing chelation they are at risk of environmental poisoning if exposed to toxic metals.

As metals are pulled out of the body, they pass through the kidney. This can cause Hepatic Fibrosis (aka excessive scarring of the liver), according to the National Institutes of Health. Renal failure is also a risk. Chelation used to treat heart problems can cause heart rhythm disturbance. When undergoing chelation therapy, be sure to monitor yourself and see a doctor immediately if anything goes wrong.

Parenting a child with autism is not an easy task. That being stated, there are ways to make life a bit more manageable. One way is to establish a strong social network. Surround yourself with supportive friends and relatives who you can confide in or lean on when needed. Autism support groups are a great way to meet people who know exactly what your hectic life is like. Also establish informational relationships, meaning find trusted doctors, therapists, and caregivers you can consult when making major decisions regarding your child’s treatment.

Often, parents of children with autism report feeling isolated or even ostracized by their extended family. It often boils down to other relatives not knowing how to interact with an autistic child. Educate your family members on your child’s needs, why he/she behaves the way he/she does, and what are appropriate ways for relatives to have a relationship with your child. This will help you, your family, and your child feel more connected.

Over 400,000 newborns are affected each year by mercury pollution. That is why doctors advise pregnant women to cut back on eating fish, particularly large predator fish like albacore white tuna. Fish aren’t naturally contaminated with mercury; they became contaminated when toxic mercury, produced by coal-fired power plants, is released into the air and subsequently are released into waterways through rain. The fish have simply absorbed the mercury through their gills.

The effects of mercury poisoning are astounding, particularly in fetuses and young children. Mercury causes brain neuron degeneration, which impairs a child’s ability to learn. Mothers need to take precautions because methylmercury accumulates in breasts, brains, and even the umbilical cords because those areas have the most fats.

In the same report that we discussed on Tuesday, the Institute of Medicine did acknowledge that vaccine damage does occur. Specifically, the report states, “In some metabolically vulnerable children, receiving vaccines may be the largely nonspecific ‘last straw’ that leads these children to reveal their underlying [problems].” A specific fund even exists to compensate children and families affected by vaccine injury.

For instance, whole-cell pertussis vaccine was once commonly administered to children, some of whom suffered from seizures and lifelong problems. It turns out that many of the children affected actually had Dravet syndrome, which is a severe form of Epilepsy. The vaccine simply triggered the underlying syndrome. Whole-cell pertussis is no longer used.