 |
Too Clean-A Critical Look At The Alleged Link Between Asthma and Cleanliness
Americans are ridiculed around the world for our attention to cleanliness. Recently some natural health experts have suggested that the growing problem of childhood asthma is directly related to our obsession with clean homes and a handful of studies seem to confirm their suspicions. Are these claims founded in truth or are they the result of "experts" deliberately misinterpreting data? Here's what we know for sure: *It's true that childhood asthma is more common in the US than some so-called Third World countries but it's also true that the staggering infant mortality rate in those countries means that many Third World children simply don't live long enough to develop the symptoms of asthma. *It's also true that our immune systems need a certain level of germ exposure to develop fully but that exposure need is easily met during normal daily activities. (In fact, the birthing process exposes infants to a number of germs.) Unless your child is living in a bubble he's getting all the germs he needs to develop a healthy immune system. *Asthma is far more common in impoverished children than in middle-class or wealthy children and the number of childhood asthma cases in the US has risen right along with the number of children living in poverty. If cleanliness was really a factor we should be seeing a rise in asthma across the board and not just among those least likely to practice good household cleaning habits. *All major asthma organizations promote household cleanliness as a first-line defense against asthma and other allergic conditions. They all tell us that regular dusting and vacuuming go a long way toward removing allergens from our homes. Given what we know about asthma it's clear that cleanliness is an important part of living with asthma and not, as some claim, part of the problem. Lisa Barger is a traditionally trained naturopath specializing in illness prevention counseling. Ms. Barger holds certification in Ayurveda, Iridology, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and American Herbology. For more information about protecting your family from germs please see our web site at http://www.LisaBarger.com.
MORE RESOURCES:
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Feeling Helpless in the Face of Pain?
Here Are 4 Ways That Visualization May Be Able to Ease You Back into ControlUsing visualizations to reduce pain may be unlike anything else you've tried. It not only gives you the chance to feel better, but does so in a way that may be able to relieve your sense of helplessness.
Aromatherapy
What is aromatherapy? Used for centuries, aromatherapy is known to have been utilized by the Egyptian physician, Imhotep; and Hippocrates. The first person to dub the term "aromatherapy, was French chemist, Rene-Mauric Gattefosse during the 1930s.
Gestalt Therapy And Hypnosis
The Gestalt approach to therapy can be termed "phenomenological-existential" as it is concerned with an awareness of the here-and-now, working away from concepts and towards pure awareness (Clarkson, 1989). By the client becoming aware of their thoughts, feelings, etc the goal is for the individual to achieve insight into the situation under examination.
An Aspirin A Day Can Give You Cancer
I want to share a health alert with you. So many people today are taking an
aspirin a day - many upon the recommendation of their doctors and many
simply because they think it is the "healthy" thing to do.
Citronnelle
Remember the last Dumpling Festival? Did your mother or grandmother hang a pair of small bundle of sweet-scented grass in the morning on top of the door? Did they claim that the grass has the power to dispel evil when you use the water boiled with the leave for bathing? Did you remember the distinct, unmistakable lemon-like fragrance that left you feeling very invigorated? That leaf is none other than Citronnelle.Description of CitronnelleLike lemongrass and rosemary, citronnelle also belongs to the grass family, which is rich in essential oil.
What Does The Label Vegan Mean in Bedding Products?
Vegan, or vegetarian, organic fills and batting, are natural materials free of animal ingredients and by-products (including wool, silk, fur, leather, dairy, eggs, honey, beeswax, and lanolin). Additionally, no animal ingredient or animal by-product inputs are used in manufacturing and processing.
When Your Emotions Become Like Ticking Bombs & Cause Disease
So, where does disease come from? How does it get manifested in your body in the first place? Do environment and diet really play key roles in causing disease? Well, the information contained in this article will shock you to say the least. For years now health officials have told the public about how diet and environment specifically contribute to most illnesses.
Easy Steps You Can Take Today to Erase Hip Pain
..
Your Home is a Toxic Waste Dump!
Did you know that the household and beauty products that you purchase at your local store are unhealthy for your family? You probably don't know this because the chemical and manufacturing industries don't have to provide us with this information. Of course, many of these chemicals were originally intended to enhance our lifestyles.
Alternative Medicine and Therapies - What, Why and How of it
Alternative Therapies and alternative medicine has been gaining ground along with conventional treatments. Alternative therapies have been practiced for thousand of years especially in the east commonly known as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Healing Through Stories
Stories are powerful. How many times have you heard a child
beg, *Tell me a story.
Constipation Remedy Using Citrus Juice
Citrus JuicesCitrus juices are a constipation remedy that is an excellent way to stimulate your colon and other parts of the body. Since your colon is less active at night, drinking juices as soon as you awaken and get up can stimulate strong peristaltic action and promote a bowel movement.
Hemorrhoids - What Do I Need To Do?
There are many unpleasant symptoms and diseases associated with constipation. Hemorrhoids is one such symptom and many doctor or practitioners say, "its not a serious condition.
Storing, Handling And Using Essential Oils
Pure Essential Oils are a natural product and contain no preservatives or
additives. A few of them can also be quite dangerous if not handled correctly.
How to Use Natural Remedies for Ulcers Caused by Helicobacter Pylori
One of the bacteria that live in your mouth and cause gingivitis is the helicobacter pylori or H. pylori.
Three Tips for Arthritis Pain Relief
Massage -not the areas that hurtSome experts think that arthritic conditions or pain conditions in general aggravate and flare up trigger points, and that one can get additional relief to arthritis symptoms trough self massage.The idea is not to massage the area where it hurts, but to find pressure tender areas in your muscles near the actual pain area, and massage them instead.
How To Prevent The Flu
Can you prevent the flu? or is it just luck when you are virus free all year long! The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Because this illness can be spread easily by coughing and sneezing, influenza epidemics are very common, especially in winter.
Snoring: A Common Sleep Disorder
Sleep consumes as much as one-third or more of the average human's life. Even if people hope for restful sleep, many types of sleep disorder reduce the quality and quantity of sleep.
Got a Headache? Painkillers Are NOT the Solution!
Say you had a stressful day at work, didn't get enough sleep
the night before and as a result you've got a bad headache.
What do you do? It's easy! You take good old Tylenol or other
over-the-counter medicine.
Basilic : A Priceless Uplifter
"The smell of basil is good for the heart, it taketh away sorrowfulness, which commeth of melancholy and maketh a man merry and glad". (John Gerard)History of BasilThe history of basil is shrouded in a kaleidoscope of age-old stories and legends.
|
