Where is the evidence?

Introduced from the previous post, The Hygiene Hypothesis, is a growing serious matter in our populating world today and in the generations to come.  The matter is of the absence of exposure to infectious parasites and microbes in early stages of childhood, preventing the immune system natural growth and development.  This unnatural inhibition of growth of the human immune system is causing allergic reactions such as rhinitic, asthma, and eczema.  In my life time, as of this far, I am a witness to more than a handful of family members, co workers, friends, school mates having these high allergic reactions, that were not as chronic in just a life time before my own.  Research data says in only just a few passing decades signs of the manifestation of the allergic reactions have significantly increased.  Studies show prevention from larger families verse smaller families, farm environment verses rural environment, and largely populated cities verse country towns; but why?

So what has changed in society of these passed few decades?  Population has accumulated,  and  lifestyles have changed under different food habits as well as our living conditions.  In the article review, Infections in early life and susceptibility to allergic diseases: relevance of hygiene hypothesis, epidemiological data states, "In the United States, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia, the incidence of allergic airway diseases among 13–14-yr-old children is currently the highest in the world, and ranges from 22–32%" (p.1).  While other studies show adult ratings in countries such as India, Delhi, and European community Mumbia rang from 1.5 to 17%!  This points proof in a direction of lifestyle differences.  India is well on it's way in development and increasing population, although compared to the lifestyles of the United States, India is a more urban population.  This leaving researchers to wonder, can humans be too clean?  In countries such a East Asia, with different climate, bad housing conditions, little hygiene, have low reactions in comparison to more modern countries.  All to say, industrialized countries are prone to allergies, while rates are still rising in the growing Western World. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=JkR1W8a5BAA&NR=1

               






Works Cited:

J. Pickup, et al. "Too Clean, Or Not Too Clean: The Hygiene Hypothesis And Home Hygiene." Clinical & Experimental Allergy 36.4 (2006): 402-425. Academic Search Complete. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.

Gangal, Sharad V., and Rohini Chowgule. "Infections In Early Life And Susceptibility To Allergic Diseases: Relevance Of Hygiene Hypothesis." Current Science (00113891) 96.6 (2009): 784-793. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Oct. 2012.