1. What is Autism? In typical autism, one sees a child under 5 years of age who has severe problems involving social relationships, communication skills, repetitive behaviors, and learning. In their own little world, they won’t talk, look at your, or relate. 2. Who gets this condition? An occasional child is born with autism. The more common form, regressive autism, shows up between 12-24 months of age. Although controversial, some experts think there is a relationship between genetics, early exposure to mercury containing vaccines, and the MMR vaccine. While 25 years ago it was felt that autism was a psychiatric condition, these days, the focus is on abnormal physical processes such as genetic abnormalities, chemical toxicities, food toxicity, enzyme deficiencies, intestinal fungus and nutritional deficiency. 3. How is autism diagnosed? Pediatric neurologists or developmental specialists help confirm the diagnosis when suspected by parents, teachers or therapists. In doing tests to confirm physical dimensions to autism we follow the DAN! Protocol fairly closely as developed by consensus panels associated with the Autism Research Institute. Tests are selected to understand the unique characteristics of your child using guidelines as to what is most commonly out of line. The tests survey the body’s metabolism, nutritional deficiencies, allergies and sensitivities, intestinal infections, problems with digestion and absorption, liver function, metal toxicities and immune status. Little by little the complexities of each child's particular situation are sorted out. 4. Are there related conditions? This spectrum includes not only full-fledged autism and high functioning autism (Asperger’s Syndrome), but also ADD, ADHD, and PDD (pervasive developmental disorder refers to children’s with autistic symptoms who do not meet all of their developmental milestones but still retain some ability to speak and communicate). 5. What kinds of treatments are available? Over the past 25 years, the Autism Research Institute and others have developed a biomedical approach to this condition. We believe in vigorously treating physical problems which are harming the brain and at the same time engaging behavioral modification and learning centers to retrain the brain. Physical treatments include cleaning up the gut, removing gluten and casein from the diet, providing special nutrients to feed a starving brain, removing toxic metals, eradicating infection, correcting immune deficiencies and managing allergies as well as other interventions. 6. How successful are treatments? Responses vary. Some children do remarkable well while most can make modest gains: an occasional child may be slow to respond in spite of best efforts. A carefully tailored program consistently carried out has the best chance of success. Additional expenses beyond insurance are common. 7. How can I learn more about autism? There is a great deal to learn. Contact the Autism Research Institute in San Diego, California at www.autismresearchinstitute.com.

Over the years, millions of women have taken female hormones for various reasons. In 2002, reports of a study in which horse estrogen was given in fixed combination with synthetic progestin demonstrated an increased risk of blood clots and breast cancer especially with prolonged usage. Many are wondering if it is safe to take any form of hormone replacement therapy. While few topics have been more fully studied, the final answer is not in: There is no well-accepted “best program” among experts. As we think through the problem we believe the following principles are helpful: the patient needs to participate in evaluating risks and benefits in their particular situation. 1. Is there a need? Severe night sweats which block sleep, hot flushes impairing regular activities, significant osteoporosis risk, unusually dry skin with irritability, hormone triggered migraine headaches, and disabling mood swings are examples of needs which may require the careful use of natural hormones. 2. Is there an alternative to female hormones, particularly estrogen? Herbs, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids along with exercise and good diet (and perhaps medications) may provide adequate resolution of symptoms and aid in prevention of future disease. Persons at greater risk for cancer should consider their options carefully (family history of cancer, prior cancer, prior abortions, poor nutrition, toxic loads, obesity, childless, alcohol). 3. Are we using the most natural approach if hormones are chosen? The farther we get from simple approaches the more likely we are to have problems. Hormones made from soy or yam are biodentical meaning they do not look like a stranger to your body. Cyclic administration may be recommended. 4. Have we carefully selected physiologic doses of replacement hormones? Too much or not enough hormone may create problems: it is also important to balance all hormones. Consider also estrogen metabolism: a simple urine test is typically used to see if your liver is producing potentially harmful metabolites. 5. Am I pursuing a healthy lifestyle? Getting good nutrition, taking regular exercise, assuring adequate rest, and avoiding environment toxins in air, food and water help prevent disease. Persons with accumulated toxic waste may need assisted detoxification to clear pesticides and chemicals. One tablespoon of fish oil and 400 IU of vitamin E daily appear to significantly help prevent clot related disorders. 6. Do I need to continue hormones forever? Replacement hormones can be stopped at any time and certainly after a year or two one should consider diminishing the dose or stopping and see if the need continues. 7. In spite of our best efforts, diseases can occur: Follow appropriate screening measures such as Pap smears, pelvic exams, breast exams and mammography as indicated. Early detection is still of great value.

From my personal observation and notes by Mary Lou Ballweg, 8/04 1. What is endometriosis? It is a puzzling hormone and immune system disorder affecting girls and women. The name comes from the word endometrium, which is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. In endometriosis, that tissue ends up outside of the womb in the wrong places forming little growths that can cause pain, infertility, and be associated with unusual bleeding and killer menstrual cramps. There may be other associated immune disorders. 2. Who gets the disease? Girls as young as nine years old may get it and even women who are through menopause may still struggle with the disease. It is estimated that more than 50 million women in the world have this condition. 3. Why is the diagnosis often overlooked? Sometimes women do not like to talk about what they are experiencing and sometimes women fail to recognize that pain during or after sexual activity, infertility, heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, painful bowel movements and other intestinal upsets, low back pain with periods and a range of other immune disorders may simply not be connected with the possibility of endometriosis. 4. What kind of immune disorders then may be associated? Allergies such as hayfever, asthma and eczema, cancers such as ovarian, melanoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, Sjogren’s syndrome, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism have been documented. IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is also more frequent. 5. Why is it difficult to pin down the diagnosis of endometriosis? Money. Generally patients are reassured and given the birth control pill rather than doing a laparoscopy to actually make a definitive diagnosis. 6. What kind of treatments are available? In the past only surgical cleanout and medical therapies were offered. The most effective treatment among 4000 women in a review completed by the Endometriosis Association was immunotherapy. In our office, we take the immune approach focusing on controlling Candida overgrowth in the intestinal tract, quieting Candida and hormone sensitivity, and assuring balanced female hormones with bioidentical agents. 7. Can endometriosis be prevented? Avoidance of environmental toxins and control of candidiasis may be helpful. 8. How can I learn more about endometriosis? Contact the Endometriosis Assocaition at www.EndometriosisAssn.org or call 1-414-355-2200. They have published a book recently by Mary Lou Ballweg entitled, Endometriosis; The Complete Reference For Taking Charge Of Your Health.

History: For years it has been known that certain types of mold exposures can make people sick. The 14th chapter of the book of Leviticus in the Bible records how communities successfully handled indoor mold problems over 3000 years ago.

Cause of problem: Water in buildings easily breeds problems. Such problems may develop during building construction, remediation, remodeling or routine maintenance. By tightening up buildings excessively to save energy, by decreasing fresh air intake, by constructing new homes in the rain without drying them out before doing interiors, by not using kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans, by uncleanliness, and through making mistakes in building design or remodeling we all contributed to indoor air problems including those problems directly related to molds. Excess water and moisture stimulate mold growth. Mold proteins can trigger allergic reactions: mold toxins may act like poisons harming the nervous and immune systems.

Illnesses: While most molds are not bad, some can hurt you especially when the concentration is high. Molds may trigger or cause immediate allergies such as runny/stuffy nose, itchy eyes, asthma, or skin rashes. They may also provoke other symptoms such as fatigue, achiness, impaired thinking, eye irritation, arthritis, or cough. Mold exposure can sensitize a person to things besides molds: for example, mold sensitized persons may later find that they are less tolerant of foods or have sensitivities to chemicals. Most persons recover with treatment after leaving the contaminated area: a few patients can have long-term problems. Be prudent.

Building studies: If your home, car, or workplace look moldy, smell musty, or make you feel sick, you may have a mold related problem. It is not good for most people to live in high mold spaces. So how do you know for sure if you have a mold problem in your building? To start with, identify the types of molds that grow and the amount of mold that is growing. The best way to do that is to hire a skilled indoor air quality engineer. (There are some limited tests that a person might use as a screening tool to begin the exploration on their own.) When bad molds are present in large amounts, experts wearing special protective clothing need to do the job of cleanup and remediation.

Priorities: If there are harmful molds growing in your home you need to do something about it soon. First of all, if you are really sick, consider moving out temporarily to let your body begin to recover while you're trying to define the situation. Always look for the water: mold needs water to grow and there may be a leak in the roof, a pipe, a drain, or simply a lack of ventilation and exhaust fans so that indoor moisture from respiration, showers, or cooking builds up. Remediation of the building is frequently possible but not always. Household goods can usually be cleaned up but some must be disposed.

Prudence: While it is important to not panic, the more susceptible individual can experience long-term health problems from even a few months of exposure. Don't wait forever: contact an indoor air quality engineer and consult with a physician familiar with environmental health issues. Buildings, which are clean, dry, well ventilated, and free of environmental contaminants help everyone stay healthy.

Related Web Sites:
www.dehs.umn.edu/IAQ/Fungus
www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/oehas/mold.html
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.html (mold remediation)