Better brains, naturally.

Simon says thanks for the help

Last month we shared a letter from Simon, an adult in Florida who was looking for advice on dealing with his changing tic symptoms. More than 20 of you shared your personal suggestions and he greatly appreciated them. Ideas ranged from triggers that can aggravate tics, to nutrients that may need to be taken or avoided, to Irlen filters for light sensitivity--and more. 

To read all the comments please go here; his letter is just above the comments. The suggestions might help you or inspire additional ideas.

Avoiding exhaust fumes

School is starting up and I wanted to mention an important issue for those with kids. A father reported to ACN that his child was poisoned by car and bus exhaust fumes while doing vehicle pickup and dropoff duty as a safety patrol. It so happened that the location for this duty trapped the exhaust of cars and buses as they sat idling or pulled forward. While this would be unhealthy for anyone in the vicinity, the boy began to complain of feeling ill when there, and eventually showed mutliple signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. He is is being treated for neurological and related chronic illness and is making gradual improvement. 

We will have more on this case in the future, and wish the family the very best. It is known that exhaust contains carcinogens, and many families have found that exhaust exposure triggers tics and other adverse brain reactions. While diesel fuel gets the most attention, fumes from other fuels can also be dangerous. 

We would all do well to keep these tips in mind: 

• If you have a home garage, pull in front first, dont back in. And don't let the car idle in the garage.
• If you use a garage that's attached to your home, leave the garage door open for a bit after turning off the engine, to let exhaust escape. After entering, close the door to the house quickly so fumes don't get into the home.
• If riders are getting into the car while in the garage, be sure the windows are up after they are seated, and then start the engine. 
• Avoid underground or enclosed public parking when possible.
• Consider an air purifier for the car. (Foust offers a high quality unit.)
• When in a low traffic area, use the fresh air option now and then. Be sure to use the recirculate fan setting when in heavy traffic.
• Ask children to monitor how they feel when on the bus or in cars, and try to track down the source of any discomfort. (Be aware it's not always the exhaust that can cause problems. It can also be toxins, dust, or mold within the vehicle, motion from the ride, or stress related to the particular situation.) 

Tics and allergy: Can you help Simon?

My tics started when I was five and have been unrelenting since. I am now 48.The worst is definately eye twitches. Although embarassing, they were never bad enough to prevent a happy and succesful life. 

I was born in the UK and lived with asthma and known allergies to all sorts of grasses and trees, feathers, dust, dogs and cats. Each spring was a particular nightmare.

In 2000 I relocated to the USA and have lived in Chicago and now Tampa. Two distinct things happened. My tics got worse while most of my allergies vanished. I have no reaction to grasses, trees, dust or feathers in America, and I have milder reactions to cats and dogs.

I recently read Natural Treatment for Tic's and Tourettes. What a fantastic book! I will go forward with renewed optimism. As I read the book I decided to experiment with diet and nutrients as a test, before seeking professional help.

I now avoid caffeine, soda, artifical flavorings/colors, milk, wheat and generally eat as much organic food as possible. I cut alcohol consumption in half. I take magnesium, fish oil and taurine. The tics have decreased (sometimes stopping for a few hours) and the associated obsessive compulsive symptoms are noticeably better. The next step is definately professional help related to diet, allergy, and nutrition. 

Here's the kicker! As my Tourette symptoms lessen, the allergies are returning. As I write this my eyes are itching and watering. Over recent weeks, I have had hay fever for the first time in twelve years. I would be interested to know if this is common.

As an aside, I find heat and sunlight make my tics worse.

I would be grateful for any information and suggestions from your readers that might help me take the next step.  Please answer in a Comment below.

Simon  (Full name and real photo withheld by the editor)

 

Tackling a moldy washing machine

Laura Matheos
Guest writer

While on my own “mold safari” to track down where it could be lurking in my home, I hit all the places I mentioned in my previous blog (here). I took the opportunity to haul ten years worth of basement junk to the town dump.

But I was still plagued by a chronic cough. It was summertime. No illness or pollens to blame. So I had to keep hunting. At the end of September, when the windows were closed but before falling leaves could be blamed for a higher mold count, my cough became constant. I sounded like I had a throat clearing tic – even though I have never suffered from tics. Then I started feeling itchy in newly washed clothes. The towels had a musty odor even after washing them in vinegar. Thanks to some friends on the Latitudes forum, I went snooping in my washing machine. I have a top loader, which is thankfully very easy to take apart. Using a Youtube video as a guide, I removed the outer metal casing and exposed the metal drum, which sits inside a slightly larger plastic drum. The sight that greeted me was revolting. Mold covered the top 5 inches of the plastic drum. So every load of wash I did was being contaminated with the stuff. It was growing above the water line, so using vinegar in the wash wasn’t reaching the higher areas where years of water spray had made a nice mold terrarium and years of soap film kept it well fed. I was horrified.

Conquering the mold

After suiting up for battle (N95 respirator-type face mask, eye protection, latex gloves and old clothes) and making sure the area was well ventilated, I closed off my laundry room and I started spraying the plastic drum with peroxide and wiping it away with a sponge (hint – poke a string through the middle of the sponge and tie a long loop, securing the other end of the string around your wrist, so if you happen to drop the sponge in this very tight space, you don’t have a new problem on your hands). Just be careful not to do anything that will crack the plastic drum or you’ll be shopping for a new washer! I like peroxide because the foaming lets me know if there’s still mold there. But if you’re highly allergic, this may not be the best cleaner for you, as the foaming likely releases mold toxins. There are green products that are also effective. I confess I was on a mission and didn’t take the time to look into eco-friendly like I probably should have. I took too much perverse joy in imagining tiny screams coming from the fizzing peroxide bubbles slaughtering the enemy. But regardless of your choice of cleaning agent, always, always ventilate the area and if possible, close any doors into the laundry area to lessen the spread of any spores or toxins into the rest of the house.  

If you have a front loader, access to the drum seems more complicated. There is usually a drain pump area and filter screen that can be accessed after removing a few screws (check your manual or YouTube). Most resources I’ve found advise to use special cleansers formulated to fight mold buildup on a monthly basis. Also be sure to thoroughly wipe the rubber seal around the door and always leave the door open when not in use.

Keeping the washer mold-free

Washing with Borax is another good way to maintain a mold-free washer, as it has anti-microbial properties. Avoid using too much soap when you wash; soap residue is a great food resource for
mold and mildew. For both front and top loaders, you can also spray the inside drum with peroxide, a dilution of borax, vinegar, or diluted essential oils. You can use lemon oil, grapefruit seed extract or a blend such as Thieves Blend. (I’ve read that using a diffusion of essential oils in the bathroom is also a good preventive measure to keep mold from returning, but I don’t have first hand experience yet.) A general reference for using essential oils can be found here: http://www.naturesgift.com/methods.htm but there are many excellent sources. Please don’t take this as an endorsement.

I’m happy to report that, after the basement purge, replacing an old carpet and cleaning the washer, my war on mold has – so far – been a success.  My cough went away the day after I cleaned the washer and re-washed my most recent loads of laundry. The bottom line is that mold is everywhere. The newest home, the cleanest home – is still a potential source of mold. Where there’s water, there
can be mold. Frequent inspection of any area that has moisture is a wise idea, particularly if you or anyone in your family is already dealing with chronic illness or neurological symptoms. It may not be your only problem, but it could be a contributing factor and be making neurological symptoms worse.

Check these sites out for more help

EPA: What to wear 

Mold clean up

Fighting mold

Advice from CDC

Mold Hide and Seek

Laura Matheos
Guest writer

There are tens of thousands of species of molds. It’s everywhere. We live with it, breathe it, everyday. Of course not all mold is evil; penicillin is derived from a mold. But for people who are sensitive to molds, they can bring a host of health problems. You may know of the more common health issues that can be triggered by mold: congestion, coughing, asthma-like symptoms, watery eyes and itchy skin. You may also know that certain molds, commonly grouped together under the name “black mold,” can release mycotoxins that can cause serious and even life-threatening illness. What you may not realize is that a home with a mold problem could be contributing to a chronic illness. If you’re struggling with neurological issues, infection or immune challenges, mold in the environment can make inflammation worse and serve as an added hurdle your body may need to overcome before you can restore your health.

Often, you can’t control molds in the outdoors and avoidance is key. Your home, though, is a different matter and a thorough search can be well worth your time.

Common places to check

When looking into mold for the first time, most people will inspect the obvious places – the basement, the bathroom, under sinks. And these are certainly worth a good look.

• If a box in the basement is damp or musty, toss it, even it isn’t discolored. (In fact, if you’re going to store cardboard or any porous material, the basement is never a good place for these items.).
• If you have a cabinet under your sink and there’s a raised bottom inside the cabinet, remove the bottom and check the underside.
• Even if you don’t have a current leak from a drain, an old leak or spilled liquid could have encouraged mold growth where you can’t see it. If there’s mildew on the ceiling above the shower, catch it before it becomes entrenched in the sheetrock and becomes a chronic problem.
• Periodically clean the shower head and faucet screens.
• Make sure you use the exhaust fan and/or open the bathroom window whenever you shower and leave it on for a while afterward.

The mold you see is often a sign that there’s more that you can’t see.

Less obvious places

• Most showers and tubs have an access panel in an abutting closet or vanity – a place that allows access to the plumbing. Open that area to check for leaks.
• Also check the attic, especially in the insulation below any breaches in the roof, like the holes surrounding vents and exhaust pipes. If the seal around these pipes is damaged, water can seep into the insulation below.
• Inspect areas prone to condensation, like walls near windows and behind toilet tanks.
• Also check the drip pan under your refrigerator and remember to use humidifiers in basements and damp areas.
• Any water damage from a heavy rain needs to be handled quickly, as mold can become a problem in as little as 24 hours.

My home-test for mold

Sometimes the mold you’re looking for is obvious: black or green fuzzy stuff growing where nothing fuzzy should be growing. Sometimes mold can be hard to see with the eye. One thing I like to do is fill a spray bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide. When I suspect an area, I squirt it with the peroxide (assuming there’s no risk of bleaching or damaging a nearby material). If it fizzes, I know I’ve hit catalase – an enzyme released by damaged cells. It may or may not be mold but I know it’s organic material and probably has no business growing in my shower head or on my basement floor joists.

Just use caution before becoming the sharpest shooter in the West—use a face mask, eye protection and gloves during your inspection and any peroxide shoot-outs. Dying mold spores release the very toxins you’re trying to eliminate. Breathing toxins or getting peroxide in your eyes while on your quest is about as far away from protecting your health as you can get. This is only a suggestion for detecting mold or cleaning small, well ventilated areas.

If you happen to discover larger areas of mold during your search, please, please take precautionary safety measures and use products specifically meant for mold. Procedures for cleaning an area smaller than 5’x5’ can be found on mold web sites. Areas larger than this should be handled by professional mold remediators.

Next article: Tackling a moldy washing machine!

 

Causes of autism can occur before, during, and after birth. That about covers it.

Getting confused about what might cause autism? Small wonder. Research suggests risk factors play a role before conception, during fetal development, and after birth.

After decades of emphasis on autism being a hereditary condition, interest has shifted to environmental risk factors. A recent twin study showed that genetics accounts for only about 37 percent of the risk, the rest is environmental.

Here's a quick synopsis of just some of the research and theories:

Before conception Studies show that prior to conception, certain medications taken by the mother, maternal infection or diabetes, and exposure to toxins can all increase risk of autism. The age of the parents may play a role, the birth order of the child. . . and more.

During pregnancy: Maternal exposure to toxins and pesticides, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, as well as nutritional and hormonal imbalances can all put the fetus at increased risk for autism.

After birth: Premature delivery, low birth rate, and oxidative stress can play a role; theories abound on environmental insults that can trigger the condition and many issues await more research. While the media carries the message of mainstream medicine, insisting that vaccines do not play a role, studies do not fully support this position.

The latest "during" discovery

Scientists have determined that brains of autistic children may have too many brain cells; their brains are also heavier than those without autism. Brains of deceased boys' were used in the study. Researchers focused on the prefrontal cortext which is responsible for social, emotional, and communication/language development. This abnormality, they suggest, occurs during fetal development. See the report here.

Stay tuned. More factors are surely right around the corner. 

Getting the word out on PANDAS

One of the biggest obstacles parents face when trying to find help for children with PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) is the lack of awareness of the condition by medical and school communities.

Pandas Network, founded by Diana Pohlman, provides a resource library of medical studies and a large number of case histories. It's an excellent site where professionals and families can learn more about PANDAS and related autoimmune conditions.

The network recently highlighted two news clips featuring cases where children developed PANDAS. The first video clip is from station NBC Fort Worth, and describes how a strep infection led to significant and sudden behavioral and emotional changes in a young boy. See: How strep can turn into a serious condition.

In the second video, from WKYC, we see the impact of strep on Jason Dudinec, an 11-year-old boy who suddenly developed OCD and tics; handwriting skills also deteriorated. Proper treatment improved symptoms. This program uses the phrase "catching OCD" simply because someone can catch the strep infection that may, in a small percentage of people, lead to this autoimmune condition. See: Catching OCD.

We hope parents will continue to come forward and share their stories with the media to help spread the word on PANDAS.

Readers are invited to participate in our Latitudes.org active forums on PANDAS and other neurological disorders.

The country requiring the most infant vaccine doses has the highest infant mortality rate

Yes, that would be the United States.

Those demanding scrutiny of vaccine policies have reason to be encouraged. First, the Center for Disease Control has finally agreed to examine data linking vaccines to Tourette syndrome, autism, and other neurodevelopmental disorders as part of a five-year effort. (See plans here).

Now, study results released May 4, 2011 show that when comparing countries around the world, nations requiring the most vaccine doses tend to have the highest infant mortality rates.

The U.S. childhood immunization schedule requires 26 vaccine doses for infants aged less than 1 year, the most in the world, yet 33 nations have better infant mortality rates.

The authors say that while the U.S. needs to lower preterm birth rates, it must also inspect correlations between vaccine doses, biochemical or synergistic toxicity, and infant mortality rates, adding “all nations—rich and poor, advanced and developing—have an obligation to determine whether their immunization schedules are achieving their desired goals.”

The full article from Human and Experimental Toxicology: "Infant mortality rates regressed against number of vaccine doses routinely given: Is there a biochemical or synergistic toxicity?" is available for no charge here.  

Co-enzyme Q10 for Depression

Researchers in Belgium suggest that CoQ10 supplements may benefit those with depression who do not respond well to standard treatment and have chronic fatigue syndrome. In the study, CoQ10 blood levels were significantly lower in patients with treatment resistant depression and symptoms of chronic fatigue than in other depressed patients. See study abstract here.

Additionally, it is known that depressed patients are at increased risk for coronary artery disease and heart failure. The authors suggest that low CoQ10 levels can be one factor that explains the higher risk of cardiovascular disorders in depression. Statins (drugs used to lower blood cholesterol levels) significantly lower CoQ10 levels. 

CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant and an essential component of all body cells. Immune responses, detoxification, and other bodily processes require CoQ10. While our bodies produce it, not everyone does so effectively and standard diets are often deficient in CoQ10.

Alcohol, Tourettes and Tics Revisited

Previously, a reader wrote to ask about the interaction between alcohol and tics or Tourette syndrome. The question and answer was featured in our article: Can Alcohol Increase Tourette Syndrome Symptoms? Dr. Albert Robbins provided the response. A follow-up question came in:

Can these reactions ever subside? For the past 2 weeks my tics have flared out of control. I've also been drinking a lot the past 2 weekends.

Dr Robbins:

Folic acid, a B vitamin, helps to metabolize alcohol. It can be purchased at a pharmacy or healthfood store. Also, too much alcohol can drive magnesium, glutathione and a number of B vitamin levels in the body lower. Nutrient supplementation for these may be helpful.

Anything that helps to metabolize the alcohol and get it out of the body more quickly will probably help, like going to the gym and getting on the stair climber for 30 minutes or jogging for half an hour. Or getting in a sauna and sweating it out.

But the best future plan of action and my advice for Tourette patients would be to learn something from a bad experience. Try not to repeat the same mistakes over and over when you see reactions, whether to drink, certain foods, or other situations.

If you have trouble with peer pressure, when someone offers you a drink you could say that you are on medication that prohibits you from drinking alcohol. Ask for a tomato juice, orange juice or water.Try to strengthen your sense of discipline and limit or stop the alcohol drinking completely if it affects you so adversely. You'll feel that much stronger and confident in yourself.

Dr. Albert Robbins, DO

Exposure to Exhaust in Womb May Lower IQ

It is well known that lead exposure can lower I.Q. in children. We now know that prenatal exposure to a common pollutant compound can also be detrimental to intellectual development. 

In a study this year, fetal  exposure to high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), common in automobile exhaust and coal-burning fuel, were shown to result in lower I.Q. for kids by age five.

Dr. Michal Jerrett of the School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley said: "Children exposed to prenatal or in-utero air pollution from traffic oftentimes have lower birth weights, somewhat smaller head circumferences, and a number of adverse outcomes." 

The research was reported Pediatrics. It signals a dire need for improved air emission standards. ACN suggests that personal efforts to ensure clean air in the home with filtration systems may be beneficial, and special air filters for cars are also available. Sadly, many living in cities use public transportation or cannot afford the cost of air filters.

For more on PAH  see Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.