Autism is a rapidly increasing epidemic, and although treatment is a long and complex process, the elements that cause it are surprisingly simple. The rates of Autism have dramatically increased – far in excess of United States historic population demographics. In California alone, it has escalated almost 300% from 1987 to 1998 (Byrd, 2002). It is widely accepted that one in 150 children are diagnosed with Autism annually. However, in some areas like Los Angeles’ South Bay where I live and practice, the ratio is an alarming one in 65. Local resource centers report overwhelming numbers of alarmed parents bringing newly-diagnosed children in for treatment.

Most traditional medical practitioners define Autism as a psychiatric disorder. The DSM-IV (the authoritative reference manual for psychiatric disorders) lists the criteria they use as a guide for an effective diagnosis. While much of that criteria matches part of the clinical picture, many forward-thinking health experts believe that Autism Spectrum Disorders are far more complex and increasing acceptance that it is a physical disorder and not just a psychiatric one.

Experts who use a more holistic approach to Autism diagnosis and treatment believe that Autism is “not a psychiatric or psychological disorder. It is a set of biochemical imbalances that create neurological/neurotransmitter imbalances, which result in psychological (social and behavioral) symptoms as well as physical symptoms,” (Julie Mathews CNC 2007)

The late Dr. Bernard Rimland, who, back in the 1960’s, recognized Autism as a biological disorder rather than the widely accepted hypothesis that his son’s Autism was a result of his wife being “a cold mother.” In light of that personally negative conclusion, it gave him the incentive to prove them wrong and made it his life’s work to establish there was a biochemical reason for Autism – and that the puzzling array of symptoms and conditions of his son would one day be unraveled and healed through Dr. Rimland’s protocol. His first book “Infantile Autism” helped set the path toward understanding and healing Autism.

While many traditional physicians were recommending parents put their children in institutions for the developmentally or psychologically disabled, his studies on Autistic children and nutrition were a revelation. He studied the effects of diet and certain nutrients like B6, B12 and magnesium on the symptoms.  His startling findings indicated the importance of diet and nutrition in healing Autism. Utilizing pioneer biomedical treatment, Dr. Rimland paved the way for other researchers to look at Autism as a disorder of imbalanced biochemistry, requiring a biomedical approach for successful treatment.

Subsequent biomedical treatment for Autism as outlined in DAN! (Defeat Autism Now) literature and its training syllabus, includes several components, each of which may or may not be applicable to any specific child. Every case is unique, although several consistencies can exist from child to child.

Toxins like mercury from dental amalgams in the mother or affected child, or mercury and other toxins from vaccines, aluminum, pesticides or other environmental toxins from fireproof bedding and pajamas as well as exposure to bedroom carpeting and paint since infancy are often a part of the puzzle. Food additives, artificial colors and flavors, MSG and other excitatory neurotoxins may also play a part. Poor liver function (also called disordered methylation) also contributes to the inability to clear toxins efficiently from the victim’s body like most children.  Toxins from all these environmentals and food products can be a big factor for one child contracting Autism while another may not.

Another significant toxin is Candida, a pathogenic yeast usually found in the intestinal tract. Passed from the mother to child, it is caused by an overuse of antibiotics.  After birth, it may then be exacerbated with a high sugar diet, triggering the body’s natural cyclical blood sugar response from excessive sugar cravings. While Candida is not considered a root cause of Autism, it definitely increases symptoms and degrades the quality life in an Autistic child. It must be managed if healing is to occur.

Toxic overload correlates to nutrition since nutrients are needed to assist the body in filtering and eliminating the toxins. If a child is low on nutrients and consumes foods the body recognizes as toxic, the nervous and neurological systems go on overload. Many of the symptoms we see in Autism are due to this inability of the body to handle toxins coming from both inside and outside the body.

Food plays an important role in Autism. Many children with Autism are allergic to certain foods and their molecules. Many therapeutic diets have proven successful in alleviating the symptoms of Autism. Each child’s healing diet is different and recognizing this with a good practitioner experienced with DAN! or other biomedical approaches can be a revelation. One of the most commonly used diets is the Gluten Free Casein Free Diet, which removes Gluten (a protein found in wheat. rye, barley and most oats) and Casein (a protein found in dairy and in high amounts in cheese). Many people and even a higher percentage of those afflicted with Autism are allergic, sensitive or intolerant to these foods. This is the starting point for most elimination diets done in my office with children and adults unless we begin direct testing right away. With testing, a practitioner may keep the patient on the offending foods until that process is completed in order to obtain more accurate results.

In addition to the GFCF diet, other diets include SCD Specific Carbohydrate Diet, The Body Ecology or Yeast Fighting Diet, the Weston A Price Diet, a food sensitivity and elimination/rotation diet, the Feingold Diet (also known as Phenol Protocol), the Yeast free diets, the Paleolithic diet and the Low Oxalate diet. There are considerably more available, including custom ones designed by individual practitioners. Finding the correct diet as well as discovering and removing toxins – and ultimately improving the person’s ability to handle toxins – go a long way toward healing Autism symptoms.

Nutrient deficiencies and imbalances are substantial elements of the Autism puzzle. Children with Autism generally exhibit a significant nutritional imbalance. Everything from B-vitamins (as found in Dr. Rimland’s studies) to amino acids, essential fatty acids, digestive enzymes, and many other vitamins and minerals must be tested and brought into alignment each individual’s unique body needs.

Nutritional testing for Autism is a large part of the puzzle and an invaluable tool in supporting recovery. Testing encompasses nutrient deficiencies, food allergies and sensitivities, stool and urine organic acid testing (for problems with digestion and elimination). Also brain fatty acid levels and ratios, amino acid levels, absorption and assimilation of nutrients, fungal, microbial, parasitic or other infections as well as liver function and detoxification capabilities should all be done initially to discern where the imbalances are.

I recommend the help of a nutritionist and/or doctor experienced with the aforementioned testing protocols coupled with proper diet and supplements for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Many physicians do not ask specifically about diet or supplements, so it is important to let them know about nutritional interventions. Be careful not to take a lack of information on the part of the doctor for a reason not to seek out nutritional interventions for children with Autism. For more information please call (310-503-0592) or email Juli Keene, CN julikeenecn@gmail.com.

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Around half a million preterm babies are born in the United States each year. Numerous medical advances in the field of maternal and child care however, has not stopped the increase of premature births. Despite the alarming large number of premature births, many parents are still unaware of the serious health problems posed by preterm births. There are many serious complications associated with pre-mature births and understanding and knowing how to take care of premature babies is needed for the child’s normal development.

Full-term or normal pregnancies are those whose pregnancies last from 38 to 42 weeks. Babies who are born earlier than this are considered premature. Serious complications arise when the baby fails to develop normally inside the mother because they are born earlier than expected.

Premature babies, otherwise known as preemies occurs in about 1 out of 10 pregnancies.  Premature babies are usually lighter than normal or full-term babies. After birth this babies are sent to special care areas in the hospital to insure that they are taken care of during the delicate times immediately after birth.

Characteristics of premature babies seen immediately after birth

• Hypothermia or Low Body Temperature

Premature babies are lighter compared to full term babies; this is because they have fewer fats contained in their bodies. This makes it harder for the baby to preserve body heat and they immediately sent to the incubator to maintain proper body temperature. Another condition that makes it dangerous for premature babies is their inability to shiver making it harder for even trained professionals to notice if a baby is cold with the naked eye.

• Low Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia and Low Blood Calcium

When babies are born preterm, they are not able to store the proper amounts of nutrients needed after birth. Serious complications that may occur are convulsions which could lead to irreparable brain damage.

• Respiratory Distress Syndrome

This is a condition wherein the premature baby is unable to breath normally because of under developed lungs. Premature babies are then place in incubators and oxygen is administered to assure that the baby receives normal supplies of oxygen.

• Neonatal Jaundice or Yellow baby.

An underdeveloped liver is the cause of jaundice or the yellow discoloration in babies. This is treated by placing the babies under an artificial light to remove the yellowish discoloration.

• Infections

Premature babies do not have a well developed immune system which makes them more susceptible to pathogens such as bacteria or virus.

Above are the common medical problems faced by medical professionals in the hospital before the babies are finally released. This is also the point wherein you as a parent are charged with taking care of your child.  You may be lucky if your baby is just slightly premature because there might not be long term problems in the future. However, for those who have a very premature child, they must be ready to face the challenges of battling possible serious health problems to assure that their children live healthy normal lives in the future.

• Warmth.  Your baby needs warmth because they lack the body fats which are very important in sustaining normal body temperatures. This is why incubators and radiant warmers are the resting place of preemies because they help to keep them warm. Maintaining your baby’s body temperature at home is easy by swaddling them with blankets to keep them warm.

• Nutrition.  Preemies grow at a faster rate than normal, full-term babies.  This is why they need to be constantly breastfed in order to be supplied with the right amounts of their nutritional needs. Premature babies also do not have a fully mature digestive system. This is the reason why breast milk is always advised even for full term babies. Breast milk is much better than formula milk because of they contain proteins that not only promote growth but also helps them fight against infections.

• Bottle feeding with breast milk. Some premature babies may be too weak to be fed directly from the breast.  To feed your baby, you might need to pump your breast and feed it through a bottle. You must be careful in using bottles because they may cause intestinal infections. It is also important to remember to feed the baby 8 to 10 times a day.

• Immunizations.  All infants, either full-term or preemies need to receive vaccinations.  This is essential in preventing the risk of future diseases and infections.

• Regular health examinations.  Don’t forget to bring your child back to your pediatrician because they need to have their eyes and ears checked from time to time.  Moreover, their normal development is also monitored closely to assure the normal development of their motor skills such as sitting, smiling, walking, and muscle tone.

• Sleeping.  Preemies sleep more than full-term infants. Be careful in using pillows and soft mattresses to avoid SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.  While the cause of SID is still unknown, it has been associated that infants sleeping on their stomach or on soft mattresses.

• Travel Safety.  Use an infant car seat whenever you travel. This gives support to the neck and head during the trip.

The most important thing in caring for premature babies is to understand your baby’s condition and knowing the simple steps in taking care of them. As parents, you will have more questions as your child grows. Learning what to expect will help you in managing the situation and also decreases your anxiety.  It also helps you focus in understanding the treatments, what to do, and what questions you need to ask from your doctor. However, the best way to take care of your baby is by simply touching them and letting them know that you will always be there whenever they need you.

written by Ronald Uy, RN

© H.I.C 2009

Sources:

Science News. Retrieved November 17, 2009 from ScienceDaily: http://www.sciencedaily.com

Premature Babies. retrieved November 17, 209 from Medline Plus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov

Premature Babies and their Problems. Retrieved November 17, 2009 from Patient UK: http://www.patient.co.uk

Hospital and/or healthcare acquired infections (HAI) are happening more frequently throughout the United States. Virtually unheard of years ago, infections have increased in hospital settings in recent years. If a patient acquires a new infection 48 hours or more after being admitted or within 30 days after leaving the hospital, these infections are labeled HAI. One reason for the increase is that only the sickest people are admitted to the hospital today, and the less ill are cared for through outpatient facilities. This situation provides a breeding ground for microbes from seriously ill patients to spread through healthcare workers and other means. The compromised immune systems of sick patients are fertile grounds for microbes proliferating.

In the United States, it is estimated that five to ten percent of patients admitted to hospitals acquire a new infection during their stay, a figure close to two million people a year. Deaths related to HAI are substantial. In 2002, the Center for Disease Control reported that 98,987 people died from HAIs. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that around 36 percent of the infections are preventable if health care workers would strictly follow guidelines. The infections can be caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses. Hospital workers need to closely follow protocol for sterilizing equipment, hand washing, and other preventative measures before and after patient contact.

Risk factors associated with acquiring hospital associated infections are the following:

• An extended hospital stay
• Compromised immunity system
• Severity of primary illness
• Use of catheters
• Health care workers failure to wash or inadequately wash hands before procedures
• Growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the overuse of antibiotics.

Whenever an invasive procedure is used to enter the patient’s body, the risk of an infection increases. New infections often develop from these procedures:

• Urinary bladder catheterizations cause the most HAIs.
• Respiratory ventilators or intubation can allow microbes to enter the lungs, with pneumonia causing the second most prevalent type of infection.
• Gastric drainage tubes through the mouth or nose.
• Surgery and dressings or drainage from the incision.
• Intravenous (IV) tubes for medication, transfusions, or nutrition.

People who enter hospitals for treatment should be aware of HAIs and the seriousness of acquiring new infections. Kimberly-Clark has created a HAI Watch Web site to be a resource center for information on hospital-acquired infections. They offer guidelines on hand hygiene in healthcare settings and other important tips to follow to reduce the number of infections. Free educational resources on HAIs are offered to healthcare workers in the form of courses and training through the Kimberly-Clark Knowledge Network. More information on this important subject can be found at their Web address: http://www.haiwatchnews.com/

written by, Joy Seeman H.I.C senior writer and editor

© 2009 Hemorrhoid Information Center

Sources:

Estimating Health Care-Associated Infections and Deaths. (2007, March). Retrieved October 20, 2009, from Centers for Disease Control-Research Articles-Public Health Reports: http://www.cdc.gov/

Nosocomial infection. (2009, October 15). Retrieved October 20, 2009, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org

Rizzo, T., & Culvert, L. Lee. (n.d.). Hospital acquired infections. Retrieved October 20, 2009, from Encyclopedia of Surgery: http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/