New CDC Information on Autism

The CDC (Center of Disease Control) has released a new report that shows a 78% increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) since 2002. However, the exact reason for this increase is unclear to the them. In fact they don't have a clue. They think part of it has to do with increased identification of autistic children being reported. However, they can't account for that being the only reason and they have no idea what else might be causing the increase in autism. Apparently, they don't pay attention to the reports of side effects from immunizations or concerns about heavy metals in general.

Overall, the report's data, derived from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) surveillance network, show that in 2008, 1 in 88 children aged 8 years — 1 in 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls — had an ASD diagnosis by age 8.

This marks an estimated 23% increase since the last report in 2009 and a 78% increase since 2002. 

Further, there was wide variation in prevalence estimates by sex and race and ethnic group. Boys were 5 times more likely than girls to have an ASD diagnosis. The largest increases were among Hispanic and black children.

Many alternative practitioners believe the pathways of detoxification have become overwhelmed by  toxins in autistic children.

It is believed that mercury and aluminum as well as other heavy metals may be a part of the problem. The main exposure of mercury and aluminum is from vaccines as well as contaminated seafood.

Electromagnetic Fields(EMF) are another possibility. These are from cell phones, cordless phones, and other wireless equipment such as WI-FI as well as electrical outlets. See this past blog on cell phones and children.

Viruses, bacteria and mold has also been implicated. Even viruses such as herpes simplex can be problematic. People who live in moldy houses need to rethink their living situation or clean up the house.

There is a link between vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and the increase in autism. The vitamin D receptor appears in a wide variety of brain tissue early in the fetal development, and activated vitamin D receptors increase nerve growth in your brain. 

I think all pregnant women should have their vitamin D levels normalized to 50-60 ng/ml.

Anything that can add to the strain of an already overwhelmed detoxification process will be an additional factor in causing autism.

If you want to see some more details of things that can lead to autism, click here.

Pregnant women need to make sure they stay away from anything that may harm their fetus and children should be kept away from environmental toxins as much as possible.

I suggest you read the following by Dr. Amy Yasko who specializes in treating Autism. 1) Autism: Pathways to Recovery. 2)Foundational Protocol for Autistic Spectrum Disorders. 3) Detecting Neuro-provoking Foods  I downloaded both lengthy papers (books) off her website although it was hard to find them when I did it about 6 months ago. They are very well written and helpful to parents/practitioners working with autistic kids. If you are a parent and don't know where to begin after reading them, find a physician who will read it and help you. I think you will find you can understand a lot of it. Here is Amy Yasko's website. Click Here.

You will be really glad you went to her website if you have a kid with Autism. Most Naturopaths can be helpful in treating Autistic kids. Find a qualified, licensed Naturopath in your community. They are trained to support normal detoxification pathways. Their background is 4 years pre-med followed by 4 years of medical school that emphasizes supporting the bodies natural healing processes. They are your ticket to a healthier life for you and your children.

Alternative Medicine In Trouble Again

1. Medical Docs are trying to get rid of their competition again. They are out to put Chiropractors and Naturopaths out of business using their usual excuse of  "danger". Talk about danger, have they looked in the mirror? The AMA was proven guilty of an illegal conspiracy against the chiropractic profession in September of 1987, and it slowed them down, BUT they have found loopholes in the law and are back at their old tricks again.  Here is a great link about what is going on. 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/12/30/rethinking-medical-associations-best-interests.aspx?e_cid=20111230_DNL_art_1

2. In Oregon, the Oregon Health Plan is being overhauled and although Naturopaths have been covered in the past, due to a lack of indicating their coverage in the new bill, they may no longer be covered in the future.  We need to contact the Oregon Health Authority by January 3rd to ask them to language in the bill that includes Naturopaths. You can get a brief explanation of this at the following link and can send an email from this page to ask for Naturopathic coverage. Even if you are not on the Oregon Health Plan, many people  are. Take a moment to help them.

http://www.oanp.org/?page=advocacy

Herbal Steam Inhalation

Steam inhalations are a powerful and inexpensive form of hydrotherapy. Adding herbs to a steam inhalation make an already helpful tool, an even greater ally in decreasing respiratory congestion which accompanies colds or sinus infections. Herbal steam inhalations are easy to use. At one time it was a process that most families used in their home during the winter months.

I will share my quick method for making a steam inhalation using water and essential oils.  A slower method involves making an infusion (type of tea) first. I will share how to make infusions with you in the coming week.

Implements:

•    4-6 quart pot   

•    Stove

•    Table       

•    Towel or blanket

•    Pot holder

•    Essential oil (Could also make an infusion of dry herbs)

Any volatile, antimicrobial oil or herb capable of opening the nasal passages can be used in a steam inhalation for respiratory congestion. The opening of the passage way via a steam inhalation is due to both the steam of the water and the menthol in the herb. Two herbs with menthol that are easy to find and inexpensive are peppermint and wintergreen. The menthol in these herbs is what gives it that refreshing brisk coolness to our mouth or on our skin when we ingest them or put the herbs on our skin.  In addition to herbs with menthol, I also want a strong antimicrobial herb to be added to the water such as thyme,  or oregano.

My favorite two herbs to use in the inhalation are peppermint and thyme essential oil.  Both are carried in health food stores and are generally easy to procure. If you live some place where you have trouble buying herbs or if you simply wish to purchase them online you can trust the herbs at this link: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/index.php?AID=098951

Additionally, Mountain Rose Herbs donates 15% of their sales purchased from clicking on this link to Wise Acres Herbal Educational Center.

Directions:

•    Pour 2-4 quarts of water into the pot.

•    Bring the water to a boil.

•    Take the water off the heat.

•    Prepare an area at a table where the head can be positioned above the pot without getting burnt by the pot.

•    Place the hot pot on the table, using a potholder to protect the table.

•    Drape a blanket over the head and pot, creating a vapor cocoon.

•    Sit over the pot with the head directly over the pot of tea & inside the blanket cocoon.

•    Add 1-2 drops of essential oil to the pot. (Most essential oil bottles have a dropper top.)

•    Breathe in the vapors. Keep your eyes closed so they don't get irritated.

•    If the vapor cocoon gets too hot or too intense:

         Remove head from under the blanket.

         Rest a moment.

         Return when ready.

•    The essential oil will disappear as vapor very quickly so you will need to add 1-2 drops more of each essential oil when the oil vapor is gone. Do not add too much essential oil.

Adding more essential oil than suggested can cause irritation of the lungs and eyes. It has been known for a person to put the essential oil in before getting inside the blanket cocoon. By the time they are inside the blanket cocoon the essential oil has vaporized off. The full strength  of the essential oil only lasts for 20 seconds and then disappears. If the person does not know the essential oil is short lived,  they may think they did not put enough in. Now they put in 4 drops of each oil and it is over-powering. I make sure when giving this procedure to a patient that I have made sure they will not use more than I tell them and they will follow my directions. If I am concerned about them following directions, I alternatively give them teas to use rather than essential oils. The tea simply necessitates the extra step of making an infusion from the tea. The infused tea is then put on the hot pad and you have a continuous supply of vapors coming off the pot until the tea runs out of essential oils. It is not as intense as straight essential oil. Teas are also better for children.

For my child patients whose parents want to use a vapor inhalation, I give them the following instructions. I have them make a tent house over a card table. Make it as small as possible, but with enough room for themselves and the child. They then get inside it with the pot of tea and make a game out of inhaling the vapors. If they make the tent too big, the vapors will disappear into the large space and not be as available.