A closer look by Dr M. Schiele

Why are we suffering so much?
Viennese paediatrician Baron Clemens von Pirquet, working early in the 20th Century, was the first person to use the word “allergy” to describe unusual responses to the environment.

Today, an increasing number of people are suffering from allergies due to any number of potential triggers including food, chemicals, dust, pollution, animals, birds, pollen, etc.

The body has a limited capacity to cope with potential allergens and when this limit is exceeded, symptoms start to appear.

We have only certain control over the food we eat and water we drink, but we are stuck with the air we breathe and the chemical substances we come in contact with or handle day by day. Every year 200 million tons of potentially dangerous pollutants with approx. 3 thousand chemicals such as lead or cadmium are released into the atmosphere. From industrial processes, incinerators, automobiles, fossil-fuel burning operations, electric power plants, refineries and more, we are inundated with dust, smoke, fumes, gases and tiny particles of solid matter such as tars and poisonous heavy metals. And in one breathe we can take in approx. 70 thousand such solid particles.

We ingest a whole range of synthetic chemicals everyday, in the form of unfiltered tap water and foods that make up a typical Western diet. These chemicals are derived from pesticides, herbicides, the residues of drugs fed to the animals we eat, and also from preservatives contained in processed foods. In addition, there are now over 3,500 food additives in use and an average person ingests 4.5 KG of these a year, 10 times the amount we ate 30 years ago.

Our bodies are not designed to deal with this quantity of chemicals and pollutants and for those who suffer allergies, the body is simply saying that it has had enough.

The importance of the immune system.
Most people are able to withstand the effects of all the toxins, chemicals, additives, pollutants, preservatives, etc,, but in susceptible individuals they may trigger allergy – related disorders, such as eczema or hayfever, or less severe reactions, known as “intolerances” or “sensitivities”. Generally these disorders are based on an over-reaction of the immune system, a compromised immune system which can be inherited or is due to poor nutrition i.e: poor health. Although some immunity is passed on from mother to child in the womb and in the breast milk we acquire most of it by dealing with invading microbes as we grow up. It is widely accepted that exposure to infection develops a competent immune system. Today’s babies and small children are brought up “too clean” and nursed in a “sterile” environment which will not enable their immune system to develop properly and to function adequately when they grow up or are grown ups.

Also, malnutrition and vitamin / mineral deficiency are linked to poor immune function leading to poor health. As poor health is often associated with low intakes of essential nutrients – the cells of the immune system and nervous systems are particularly susceptible. The body’s ability to maintain normal healthy functioning of cells depends on homeostasis, its selfhealing capacity. An important element of homeostasis is the supply of nutrients, and each cell requires more than 40 of these, as well as protective substances, called phytochemicals, from plants.

Another important contributor to homeostasis is the elimination of toxic end-products of metabolism from a cell. Elimination requires a healthy circulation and good liver and kidney function, all of which rely on adequate intakes of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.

Mankind has not and cannot develop a replacement which is better than the body’s own ability to heal itself; all it needs is the right tools to do the job. This becomes apparent if one considers that each year the body is self-renewed to the tune of 98%, for example: your liver is replaced once or twice a year; you have a brand new skeleton every year; your gut lining is completely replaced every 72 hours.

Why conventional medicine fails and what is the alternative?
Advances in orthodox medicine have had little or no impact in stemming the tidal wave of chronic illnesses (heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis) and incidences of allergies, asthma and eczema are increasing alarmingly. However, one should not propose the abolition of prescription drugs, many of which are invaluable for saving lives.

Generally many doctors are more inclined to prescribe drugs to deal with the symptoms than to look for the root causes of an illness and have little knowledge about alternative medicines and therapies.

People everywhere are sick of being sick and are desperate to find alternatives.

As fast as medical science forges ahead into the future of on-line diagnosis, gene therapy and laser surgery, older, gentle modes of healing are acquiring renewed appeal. In many countries that boast state-of-the-art medicine for example nearly half of the population claims to be using some form of non-conventional therapy and healing techniques that are hundreds or even thousands of years old.

Conventional medicine and alternative therapies have to work in tandem for the well-being of the patient. Future health care will demand the successful integration of conventional and complementary healing methods.

Researchers are confirming what traditional healers have always known: there is a constant interplay between our emotions, thoughts and actions and our body systems. It seems that the food we eat, the air we breathe, the exercise we take, how much we laugh or cry, and our feelings about family, friends and colleagues all have a direct bearing on our health. This interaction is played out at every level of our being and effects all biochemical, structural and psycho-social systems. Clearly more is involved in healthcare than practitioners of high-tech medicine could possibly hope to deliver on their own.

The future of healthcare involves practitioners of all approaches working hand in hand.

While the surgeon repairs organs and tissues and the physician prescribes life-saving drugs, the naturopath, herbalist and homeopath can offer remedies to stimulate natural healing processes, the osteopath can realign the body, the hypnotherapist can teach us calm and the healer can soothe the spirit.

This approach is known as integrated medicine and is an authorative practical and timely approach for the 21st Century.

Drugs, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.
More than ever before, people are gulping down drugs, and what they don’t realise is that a lot of these medications - prescriptions as well as over-the-counter-products are taking as much as they are giving, at least nutritionally. All to often the drugs either stop the absorption of nutrients or interfere with the cells’ ability to use them. A recent study showed that ingredients found in common over-the-counter cold, pain, and allergy remedies actually lowered the blood level of vitamin A. Since vitamin A protects and strengthens the mucous membranes lining the nose, throat, and lungs, a deficiency could give bacteria a cosy home to multiply in, prolonging the illness the drug was meant to alleviate.

For further free information on the treatment of allergies, the therapeutic agents commonly in use and their possible side effects read more in the consultation room...