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.

Dirty is Healthy?

Dirty is Healthy?

It has been discussed and agreed upon by over-protective, safeguarding parents, that their children must be maintained in a healthy and clean environment to keep from being at risk of any germ threatening illnesses. Children are frequently sick with many common diseases, from colds to chickenpox; therefore, children's immune systems are said to be "weak." However their bodies have not been given a chance to build up immunity. Since children are being threatened with germs and diseases that are ready to attack a young child's immature immune system, we can see why parents want to have the up most control. Although, in all actuality, this kind of paranorma can affect a child, putting them at greater risk in the future. The consulting firm, EcoMatters, tells us, "The fact is dirt and bacteria are natural, triclosan and surfactants, toxic ingredients in many conventional soaps, are not." Today scientists have tested and proven this bold statement through research of the "Hygiene Hypothesis."

The Hygiene Hypothesis is the absence of exposure to infectious parasites and microbes in early stages of childhood, preventing the immune system natural growth and development. Chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and some research points possibly to autism, are elevating through undeveloped immune systems in our young people today. The knowledge that germs can actually be good for us is essential for the prevention of present and possible illnesses. The Indoor Air Journal professes that, "Just one person in a room adds 37 million bacteria to the air every hour." Do not let this cause fear, because there is a solution: where bacteria thrive, bodies survive!

Microbes used to be considered mankind’s enemy. In actuality, bacteria are just as essential as body organs, and natural as well. Bacteria develop the immune system to help us stay healthy. Essentially, to go without bacteria is to go without the immune system. They both need each other to stay stabilized thus, preventing illness. Studies show that larger families or pets placed around a child gives the child exposure to microbes and germs. In today's society families are growing smaller with less bacteria exposure. There is also less exposure due to clean lifestyle” practice of sealing environments. There is a whole world of "harmful" things that are helpful to be around everyday, that are both indoors and outdoors, when we leave our homes, and when we play with our pets (e.g., dust, pollen, mold, mites, and more.) Immune systems need to be introduced to these foreign substances or, eventually, the body will react in a very unpleasant way through allergies or worse.  McMorris, a pediatric allergist at the University of Michigan Health System, tells us, "Allergies are on the rise because our society has changed the way we live.  As a result, people with allergies are having childred with others who have allergies, which in turn creates a natural increase in the prevalence of alleries in our society."  The Hygiene Hypothesis is a serious problem  that has accumulated over the last ten years.  The current generation must deal with this progressing situation and is time to become aware.

Works Cited:

Lance, Jennifer. "Hygiene Hypothesis Proven True: Dirt Is Naturally Good for Kids." Hygiene Hypothesis Proven True: Dirt Is Naturally Good for Kids. N.p., 21 Dec. 2009. Web. 02 Oct. 2012. http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/12/21/hygiene-hypothesis-proven-true-dirt-is-naturally-good-for-kids/.

"Hygiene Hypothesis." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Jan. 2012. Web. 02 Oct. 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis.

Jennifer, Lance.  "More Reason to Go Outside: “ONE PERSON ADDS 37 MILLION BACTERIA TO A ROOM”." One More Reason to Go Outside: “ONE PERSON ADDS 37 MILLION BACTERIA TO A ROOM”. N.p., 29 Mar. 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2012. http://ecochildsplay.com/2012/03/29/one-more-reason-to-go-outside-one-person-adds-37-million-bacteria-to-a-room/.