Dr. Wakefield controversy

Some very disturbing information came out today.  There have been accusations that Dr. Wakefield falsified his data in his ground breaking 1998 paper.  I have to admit that I am more confused than ever about what to believe.  As I was reading articles on both sides of this issue, I was reminded of the story of Dr. Semmelweis.  

Dr. Semmelweis was a Hungarian physician practicing in Vienna who proved a link between doctors not washing their hands after performing autopsies and then assisting with births and mothers dying soon after childbirth.  At this time facilities that used midwives to perform childbirth had about a 2% rate of “childbed fever” (a disease that caused women who had just given birth to die unexpectedly).  Hospitals had a 10-20 times greater rate.  Mothers would refuse medical attention by doctors in the hospital because of fear of dying from childbed fever. 

Through vigorous observation and data collection, Dr. Semmelweis concluded that if physicians would simply wash their hands before assisting with childbirth, the rates of childbed fever went down to almost zero.  What he did not realize was that he discovered germ theory.  He didn't have all the answers, but he definitively showed through empirical data that when doctors washed their hands before treating expectant mothers, the rates of childbed fever were nearly eradicated.   

In his time, Dr. Semmelweis was vilified and mocked by his peers because of hospital politics.  Just a few years after his death, Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister published research explaining how germs caused diseases.  Even though Dr. Semmelweis had successfully prevented disease, because he could not explain why his methods worked, he was discounted. 

We should learn from history.  NO ONE knows what causes autism.  At this time, we shouldn’t be throwing out any theories as to what causes Autism or what treatments could be helpful.  It is an uncomfortable and confusing place to be.  Especially for most doctors practicing western medicine who feel they should have all the answers.  It is so sad to see politics and money get in the way of pure science.

It should be very concerning that a physician (Wakefield) who seems to be trying to unravel the mystery of autism is so vocally attacked by the media.  Are they making him a straw man to beat up and distract from the real issue?  The real issue is that rates of autism are skyrocketing and no one knows why. 

Inevitably, these same journalists tout the theory that autism is a genetic disorder.  Most governmental research dollars are given to scientists studying the genetics of autism.  I believe this is a fool’s errand.  It is a good way to get grant money and to continue your research, but I don’t think it is going to yield any real help for families.  Multiple genes have already been implicated for causing autism.  If Autism were a purely genetic disorder, then the numbers of cases wouldn’t be going up exponentially.  There MUST be some environmental factors at work.  That is the only way that we could see rates increase so dramatically.

We should learn from history that when things are not easily explained, caution and safety should be paramount.  How many hundreds or thousands of women died in those hospitals in Vienna wanting to do what they thought was best for their children by giving birth in a hospital?  How many million more children have to be diagnosed with autism before we get serious and do the necessary studies to find the real cause?  It seems as though journalists, politicians, and doctors can remain detached and only purport “scientific” treatments until they are personally affected by autism.  Then they start to look into alternatives and find treatments that work for their child.  Because when it is your child, you do what ever you can to make them better.

The best physicians and scientists listen to their patients.  They do not dismiss their concerns saying that it is all just a coincidence.  Wake up America and listen to the parents of children that cannot speak for themselves.  If we do not learn from history we are bound to repeat it.  

Heribert Watzke: The brain in your gut | Video on TED.com

Those of us in the Autism world have known about the "second brain" for a while now. Glad to see that others are starting to jump on the bandwagon.

Is this still a FREE country?

I have learned so much over the past two years about vaccines and immunity.  It is so aggravating when you hear false information being spread by the drive-by media.  They water down complex issues to a 15 second sound bite.  If you have young children, or you are thinking about having children in the near future, you NEED to educate yourself on this subject.  I am not saying I have all the answers, but I am a logical, intelligent person.  By exposing myself to a variety of information, I have come to my own conclusions about this subject.  I am not going to ram my opinions down your throat.  I AM going to link to alternative information that may make you start thinking in a different way.

This journey all started when I opened up my own office, and I started talking to a lot of parents about their children with developmental delays.  I kept hearing over and over again that they believed that vaccines had a role.  Because of this, I felt compelled to find out all I could about the subject.  I thank God that there is the internet where information can be gotten so easily.  You do need to take opinion with a grain of salt, but after you hear the same information from multiple, unrelated sources you start to make your own conclusions.

I strongly recommend you check out this video which gives you another perspective on the vaccine information touted in the media.  I will leave the conclusions up to you because I believe in the intelligence and common sense of the average person.

Video

Psychiatric disorders linked to the immune system.

This is some ground breaking new research which links an immune response to psychiatric disorders.  This is very encouraging, and it goes along with my feeling that we are very antiquated with diagnosing neuropsychologic disorders by behavioral means.  There are a few cutting edge scientists that are looking to more precise diagnostic imaging and treatments.  I am very encouraged that this kind of investigation is going on.  I believe this will lead to some very important treatments soon.

The article can be found here:

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=10947928

Parent Survival Guide to Biomedical Interventions

Thank you so much Autism One for making this invaluable information available free on the web.  It is because of organizations like this and DAN! that I have learned so much about the medial issues that go along with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

You can find this video at Autism One's website: CLICK HERE

A new way to diagnose neurological disorders!

Aditi Shankardass: A second opinion on learning disorders | Video on TED.com

PATH Family Center

Last week I met with Dr. Gabriel and his staff at the PATH Family Center on Staten Island.  I was pleased to find a caring and dedicated staff lead by a wonderful, open minded physician.  The services offered at the PATH Center are very comprehensive.  Dr. Gabriel is the ONLY DAN doctor on Staten Island.  The PATH Center provides a very needed service to the families on Staten Island.  Please check out their website to see what is going on at this state-of-the-art facility.

PATH Family Center Website

Vaccine Safety

     This is one of the most sane and non-inflammatory discussions about vaccines and their safety.  I know it is a long discussion, but well worth your time.

     I had been questioning my belief that ingesting some of the ingredients (such as aluminum) of vaccines is different than injecting them directly into the blood stream.  I some how intrinsically believed this was true, but never had any scientific proof.  This physician explained exactly why this is true.

     I was also interested to hear him talk about the difference from vaccine-induced immunity and the immunity you get from actually having a disease.

It was also interesting to hear him state that doctors observed that after a bout of flu like symptoms, when children recovered, they seemed to have developmental jumps.  Very interesting.

     I think we would all be a lot healthier if we just took a step back and injected some common sense in to this discussion.  If you as a new mother or father do not feel comfortable about your newly born child having a bunch of medical procedures, then you should have the right to object.  You should also have the right to be FULLY informed before any "routine" medications are given to you or your child.  Every person is unique, and we have intuition for a reason.  If something doesn't feel right to you, you (still) have the right to refuse.

 

     I am really uneasy about the government getting involved in saying what vaccines I HAVE to have in order to work or for any children to go to school.     

     This discussion also touches on the flawed idea of "heard immunity" being applied to vaccines.  I strongly encourage you to watch the entire 11-part discussion on YouTube if you want to be more fully informed about vaccine science. 

Expert Pediatrician Discusses Vaccines - YouTube Playlist

Great Webcast Video - DAN doctor

I am so proud of DAN for making all this cutting edge information available for free on their website.  You can see they really want to get this information out to the public, and I applaud them for that.  

Videos

Is Dirt the new Prozac?

Article

Extremely interesting article about how microorganisms can help increase levels of serotonin and may treat depression.  I find this extremely interesting.  Scientists have speculated for a long time that living in a cleaner environment has increased the incidence of allergies, but here is some real proof as to why.  Occupational Therapists have used gardening for decades as a practical way to help people with depression, and now there is scientific proof that this is real.

The takeaway:  Play in the dirt to improve your mood, and let your kids make mud pies to prevent allergies!

Epsom salt bath

Safe intervention for anyone to try.

From www.enzymestuff.com:

How to give Epsom salts

Here are several methods for giving Epsom salts. The ratio is not exact, just what seems to get the salts dissolved and on the skin.

Epsom salt baths – Most people use about one to two cups per tub. Dissolve the salts in hot water first and then fill the tub to about waist deep, as warm as possible. The amount of salts you may find works best will depend on the individual tolerance, the temperature of the water, and the size of the tub. The warmer the water and larger the tub, the more salts will dissolve. If you see negative reactions, such as irritability or hyperactivity, then decrease the amount of salts. You may need to start with as little as one tablespoon of salts, and work up gradually. Epsom salts baths are very calming for most people. This works well just before bedtime. Most guides say to soak for about 20 minutes or more. It is okay to let the salts dry on the skin. You may notice a dry clear-white powder. If it is too itchy or irritating, just rinse it off. If the skin feels too dry, use lotion or oils to moisturize. Diarrhea or loose stools may result if children drink the bath water.

Spray – Mix one part salts and one part water (add more water if the salts are not dissolved) and put in a spray-squirt bottle. Mist the person’s chest and/or back and let it dry on the skin. This method works well in the summer.

Footbath – Mix one part salts to two parts water (or more so the salts dissolve) and let the person soak their feet in it. My boys would soak their feet about 30 minutes while they did reading or homework.

Homemade lotion – This is my favorite at the moment. Cheap and easy.

Recipe 1 from Karen D: Heat some Epsom salts with a little water to dissolve them. I put about one teaspoon of water in three tablespoons of salts and microwave for a minute or so. Add more water if necessary. Then mix this into around four ounces of any lotion or cream you like. I have used suntan lotion, handcream, cocoa butter, body lotion, aloe vera cream, whatever I find that is on sale or inexpensive without the chemicals I am trying to avoid. This seems to work better if the cream or lotion is water-based rather than oil-based. Good buys are at the local grocer in the lotion section. Apply to skin anywhere as often as desired. Some new commercially prepared Epsom salt creams are available but can be very expensive and may contain chemicals that are not tolerated.

Recipe 2 from Rubby: Well – my recipe for the Epsom salt cream is quite unscientific. I don't really measure my ingredients – I just add a bit of everything until I have the consistency I like.

Ingredients:
Hot water – approximately 50ml
Epsom Salt – approximately 4-5 tablespoonfuls (I keep on adding the salt to the water for as long as it dissolves – usually 5 tblsp)
White Petroleum Jelly – 5-6 tblsp (or more ??)
Natural Cocoa Butter Cream – 2-3 tblsp

I start by adding the salt into the hot water and boiling it for a few minures (make sure the salt is dissolved), then I add the Petroleum jelly and mix it all with a hand mixer (one you would use to whipp cream); once I get a white, creamy mixture, I add some cocoa butter cream and mix again.And that's it. I get approximately 250 – 350 ml cream. I use it only once a day, on days when we don't do a bath. I use it to massage my daughter's back, her chest and her legs (with a focus on her feet – she loves it). Somethimes, I add in a few drops of Lavander Oil.

The cost – minimal. I buy my local pharmacy brand (in Toronto – Shoppers Drug Mart – "Life") Petroleum Jelly (500 gr.) $3 (CAD), Coca Butter Cream (400 ml) $3 and Epsom Salt (1kg) $3.5 (CAD). I think that the two creams I use will make at least 3 Epsom salt mixtures, which means that my cream costs me approximately $2-3 (CAD). And it lasts me a long time – even though I try to put on my daughter as much as possible.

Epsom salt oil – Neither of my sons nor I liked the salty film left on the skin after a bath (felt itchy). I mixed some coconut oil in with the salts and water. Actually, it is more oil than water. Three tablespoons water plus four tablespoons salts plus 12 tablespoons coconut oil. The coconut oil is good for the skin anyway and it seems to counter the drying effect of the salts. I found that just mixing the salts and oil did not dissolve the salts, so I needed to add some water. I apply this liberally on the skin and it soaks in plus leaves the skin smooth and soft. Adjust the quantity of salts to your liking.

Sponge – A solution of one part salts to four parts water works well. Dampen a sponge in the mixture and apply to any part of the body.

Poultice or skin patch – You can mix some Epsom salts and whatever kind of lotion the person can tolerate into a paste. Put this paste on a large bandaid and apply to the skin. The salts will soak into the skin.

DAN Doctor

www.vitalitywellness.com

I went to a talk by Dr. Levinson a few weeks ago.  He seems like a very caring physician.  He has a very holistic outlook on what interventions could help children with developmental delays.  I would recommend him to anyone looking into biomedical interventions for their child.