Too Clean?A Critical Look At The Alleged Link Between Asthma and Cleanliness

Americans are ridiculed around the world for our attention to cleanliness. Recently some natural health experts have suggested that the growing problem of childhood asthma is directly related to our obsession with clean homes and a handful of studies seem to confirm their suspicions. Are these claims founded in truth or are they the result of "experts" deliberately misinterpreting data? Here's what we know for sure:

*It's true that childhood asthma is more common in the US than some so-called Third World countries but it's also true that the staggering infant mortality rate in those countries means that many Third World children simply don't live long enough to develop the symptoms of asthma.

*It's also true that our immune systems need a certain level of germ exposure to develop fully but that exposure need is easily met during normal daily activities. (In fact, the birthing process exposes infants to a number of germs.) Unless your child is living in a bubble he's getting all the germs he needs to develop a healthy immune system.

*Asthma is far more common in impoverished children than in middle-class or wealthy children and the number of childhood asthma cases in the US has risen right along with the number of children living in poverty. If cleanliness was really a factor we should be seeing a rise in asthma across the board and not just among those least likely to practice good household cleaning habits.

*All major asthma organizations promote household cleanliness as a first-line defense against asthma and other allergic conditions. They all tell us that regular dusting and vacuuming go a long way toward removing allergens from our homes.

Given what we know about asthma it's clear that cleanliness is an important part of living with asthma and not, as some claim, part of the problem.

Lisa Barger is a traditionally trained naturopath specializing in illness prevention counseling. Ms. Barger holds certification in Ayurveda, Iridology, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and American Herbology. For more information about protecting your family from germs please see our web site at http://www.LisaBarger.com.

---

4000 Year Old Secrets of Green Tea

The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green... Read More

Understanding Hypnosis

If you want to use hypnosis for therapeutic reasons, there... Read More

ReFidolize: The Majic Missy Mix Includes Medicinal Mushrooms

Autoimmune disorders, lupus, Sjogrens, MS, IBS, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia... Read More

Body Mass Index Is Not The Only Focus of Your Weight Loss Plan. Think About The Stress in Your Mind

The first of January will bring a new group of... Read More

The 5 Hidden Dangers In Toothpaste

A Must Read if You Have Children!Would you allow your... Read More

Why Choose Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a system and philosophy of medicine that... Read More

Top 3 Reasons Why You Suffer From Pain In The Back Of The Knee

Pain behind the knee is something many of us have... Read More

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental and emotional condition that... Read More

Using Chinese Techniques For Your Health and Strength

Chi Kung and T'ai Chi are only two of the... Read More

Treating Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Without the Use of Antibiotics

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)? A Urinary Tract... Read More

What Is Herbal Medicine? Is It Safe?

Herbal medicine is the use of plant and herb extracts... Read More

Herbs Can Heal You or Save Your Life

A historyHerbs have been used for hundreds of years before... Read More

Herbology

Herbology is one of the oldest healthcare sciences known to... Read More

Natural Remedy for Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a condition defined as the inflammation of the... Read More

Heart Disease and Homocysteine

Are you aware that one of the most important indicators... Read More

Kill Your Stuttering/Stammering Demons

Apparently one percent of British people suffer from the speech... Read More

Superfood or Superfad

I have been reading a lot lately on the subject... Read More

Muget Des Bois: A Healing Victory

Known by its other name as Lily of the Valley... Read More

Relieving Hemorrhoids with Natural Remedies

Here are a variety of natural remedies that you can... Read More

Using Asian Herbal Combinations for Treating Hemorrhoids

Asian HerbsI have found Chinese herb formulations quite effective in... Read More

The Whys and Habits of Anxiety & Panic Disorder

Just about everyone asks themselves why? Why did I get... Read More

Natural Poison Oak-Sumac-Ivy Remedy

Have you ever casually strolled into a patch of poison... Read More

Aloe Vera - The Medicine And Beauty Treatment Of Choice For Millenniums

I can remember as a young boy that my grandmother... Read More

Green Apple: Refreshing Taste, Uplifting Fragrance

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away"A common fruit,... Read More

Ginger for Upset Stomach

The common ginger root used in cooking has been found... Read More

Herbal Medicine: An Ounce Of Prevention

In recent years the issue of Alternative Healing has taken... Read More

Natural Remedy for Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is a normal response to real, perceived, or... Read More

Ganoderma the Miracle Herb - Can It Help You?

Let us see if Ganoderma which has been discribed as... Read More

Hidden Benefits of Reflexology

The holistic therapy of reflexology has been used over the... Read More

Secrets Of Aromatherapy Part I - Physical Remedies

Aromatherapy can be used to relieve the discomfort of a... Read More

The Truth About Smokers Pleasure Paradox

Smokers love excuses. Nothing makes them happier than, 'I can't... Read More

What are Some Benefits For Quitting Smoking?

There are immediate benefits for quitting smoking. Within eight hours... Read More

How to Benefit from The Mind-Body Connection

Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of "Love, Medicine and Miracles" was... Read More