MARS: Multiple Allergic Response Syndromes Part 2 of 2

 

The Role of the Lymphatic System

 

  The lymph nodes act as filtering stations, detecting foreign and potentially harmful substances in the lymph fluid; acting like spongy filter sacks as part of the lymph system. Lymph fluid in an adult equals one to two quarts; accounting for 1% to 3% of body weight. The lymph system is basically the body’s secondary circulation system, thus toxic substances are circulated throughout the system directly through the lymph ducts and nodes connected to the small and large intestines. Click here to continue reading...

 

 Lymph vessels are located throughout the body and are far more numerous than blood vessels; four times larger than the blood system, the lymph system provides the means for each individual cell to get rid of waste. Lymph handles only cell wastes; however, when the blood is also dumping waste toxins from the intestinal tract in to the lymph system via the liver, the lymph becomes overworked and its filtering/neutralizing function is significantly decreased. This buildup of toxic lymph fluid is what contributes to the inflammation and pain in soft and connective disorders as in Fibromyalgia and Myofascial pain syndrome.  

 

 

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Helpful Drugs: Serious Side Effects

NSAIDs are distinguished from those that contain corticosteroids. They are a group of drugs most frequently used to reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. The drugs work by inhibiting the enzyme Cyclooxygenase. This enzyme is responsible for the production of prostaglandins – hormone-like substance involved in the development of pain and inflammation.

Particularly in people with MARS, inflammatory and digestive disorders, these drugs can have serious side effects. In the U.S. alone, 75 million prescriptions for NSAIDs are written annually. Yearly, an estimated 7,600 people die from their effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation; that’s one death for every 9,210 prescriptions – another 76,000 are hospitalized; that’s one hospitalization for every 921 prescriptions.

  According to the medical journal Lancet, chronic use of NSAIDs, especially in high doses, increases the permeability or leaking of the intestines. This leaking actually creates allergies and contributes to arthritic and inflammatory symptoms, the very reason most people take NSAIDs in the first place. Many cases, including my own odyssey with MARS, are linked to the consumption of NSAIDs and over-use of antibiotics. There are “safe” options for pain and inflammation found in systemic oral enzymes and neutraceuticals that actually work by intefering with the kinase receptors that send pain messages. 

It is now believed that most pain and inflammation associated with MARS, and the inflammatory disorders, occurs from the build-up of toxins stored in the soft and connective tissue. Those of us that have experienced the invisible horror of fibromyalgia describe the pain as “muscle spasms that feel like the nerve endings are on fire” or “a bruised-all-over feeling” – additionally,  there can also be coldness in the extremities from the resulting swelling and sluggish lymphatic flow, as well as the accompanying multicle allergic responses to anything.

 

Defining Syndromes

Multiple Allergic Response Syndrome (MARS), also called Environmental Illness (EI), or Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) are syndromes because they stem from a variety of causes. It is a medical condition developed by individuals exposed to chemicals that affects the neurological, immune, respiratory, skin, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems.

Environmental medicine, also called clinical ecology, was first developed by Dr. Theron Randolph in the 1940’s, when he observed early in his medical career that food allergies and sensitivities to environmental chemicals were a major contributing factor in a wide range of allergies and diseases, including arthritis. He then discovered, of those treated by standard medical diagnostic techniques and confirmed arthritics, more than half were helped by making dietary and environmental modifications along with detoxification protocols.

Low levels of toxins may have been previously tolerated and suddenly the body looses the ability to neutralize the chemicals and an allergic response, in varying degrees, occurs. The onset can be triggered from a single major exposure (as in pesticide poisoning); long-term exposure at low levels (food preservatives and additives, sick buildings, mold, off-gassing from computers, copiers, cleaning products, carpets, building supplies); side effect of prescription drugs (especially medications for pain, inflammation, and over-use of antibiotics); serious illness or trauma...truly an example of our “toxic cup runneth over.” When our bodies (specifically the liver) can’t neutralize toxins as quick as they’re being introduced, that one last exposure is what does us in!  

 

 

 

Baby-Boomer BEWARE!

The chemicals synthesized after World War II (pesticides, fragrances, synthetic fabrics, cleaning products, detergents etc.) are mostly “petro-chemicals (petroleum based) and are extremely toxic to humans. There have been virtually no studies done on the majority of these chemicals to determine human consequences – the industry just places the chemicals in the environment with the assumption that they are “safe, until proven toxic,” instead of insuring their safety before allowing them to be used.

According to a study by the National Academy of Sciences, 95 percent of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, yes, the same ingredient as GASOLINE! The danger is in the fact that the perfume industry in NOT REGULATED – they can include any number of chemicals in a fragrance without revealing what those chemicals are – or how they affect humans. We humans are all participating in a giant “lab experiment,” against our knowledge and our will, and it’s making millions of us VERY sick.

Formaldehyde is another toxic chemical that causes many of the symptoms of MARS, including dizziness, chronic headaches, sinus infections, light-headed, memory impairment, attention disorders, blurred vision, and allergies. Many of the ingredients in construction, especially mobile and modular buildings, are made with particleboard, glues, plastics, and toxic finishes – all of which can outgas toxic substances and formaldehyde.

 Repeated exposure weakens the immune system, making you more vulnerable to other toxic chemicals. Formaldehyde is also in many products including some cosmetics, baby shampoo and baby lotion. Look for “Quaternium-15” on the label – that’s formaldehyde in disguise. It’s also in clothing and bedding – if they’re permanent press, crease resistant or a synthetic composition. Years of laundering does not remove formaldehyde! – it’s even in some of the food we eat. Yes, formaldehyde is the stuff they embalm people with; at this rate, we won’t need embalming when we die, think of all the money our survivors will save!

 

Living with MARS

In the early stages of MARS, repeated exposure to the substance or substances that caused the initial health effects provokes an allergic response. After a time, it takes less and less exposure to the related chemicals to cause symptoms. As the body systems break down, an ever-increasing number of chemicals, including some unrelated to the initial exposure, trigger a reaction.

Once an individual becomes sensitized, he/she must avoid a wide array of chemicals in everyday life, such as fragrances, detergents, fabric softeners, auto exhaust fumes, fuels (gas/propane), smoke, insecticides, weed killers, volatile organic compounds found in paints, solvents and new building materials and furnishings. Many people also become hypersensitive to molds, aromatic plants and wood such as cedar.

 

Symptoms of MARS (a VERY limited list)

·  Recurring headaches/migraines     

·  Asthma or chronic bronchial disorders

• Increased sensitivity to odors
• Dizziness/light headed
• Food/environmental allergies     
• Aching joints/ muscles
• Numbness/tingling  
• Non-injury related inflammation
• Blurred vision/Light Sensitivity  
• Intestinal/colon disorders
• Unexplained rashes    
• Chronic insomnia
• Impaired mental clarity     
• Chronically sore eyes, ears, nose and throat
• Restricted swallowing    
• Anaphylaxis (in acute cases such as my own)
• Depression/Anxiety    
• Sleep disturbances/Chronic insomnia
• Constipation/Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Swollen/Tender Lymph nodes    
• Welts in any part of the body

 

     Those of us who are becoming chronically ill from these chemicals are similar to the “canaries in the coal mine.” Coal miners would take a canary into the mines with them to warn when the air became toxic; if the canary stopped singing or died, it was time to get out! We “human canaries” are here to warn the rest of you that, unless you become informed and start making changes in your life to avoid as many toxic chemicals as possible, you too may become very ill, or even die, from the consequences.

 Today we live in a world that offers us safe alternative products and therapies of every kind, be an informed consumer – with knowledge you can prevent and reverse these disorders, I did, and so have the thousands of clients that follow my detoxifying and rejuvenation life-style protocols, Naturally.

 

  The Way I See It

 (1)  The best full-spectrum vegetable digestive enzymes I've used and recommended are Plant Enzymes that do not contain HCL: not easily tolerated by those with severely compromised digestive systems and leaky gut. I've found that when my patients use these for digestion, they also assist in a more complete elimination of the bowels by facilitating the removal of old fecal matter and toxins that have been stored in other parts of the body, including within the tissues.

(2)  I've used and recommended many natural supplements for pain and inflammation. I find that at first, it's best to put out the "fire" of inflammation to provide relief as soon as possible. For this purpose I use a systemic oral enzyme named Medizym. In acute cases, taking 10 three times a day for a week provides quick relief and then dose can be adjusted such as 5 three times daily. It's VERY important systemic enzymes be taken ONLY on an empty stomach, meaning 45 minutes before or after any food or drink that contains sugar or creamer.

(3) Kaprex provides safe effective relief of pain and joint discomfort. Clinical testing suggests that Kaprex offers a high degree of predicted cardiovascular, gastric, renal, and liver safety. It prevents the kinase receptors from sending pain messages, thus provides long-term relief while aiding recovery.

Note: MARS includes a complicated set of syndromes. That said, all of us that have recovered have done so by implimenting holistic rejuvenation protocols and making long-term life-style changes. If you are a victim, guidance is available, see consulting with Dr. Gilbere on my home page at www.gloriagilbere.com.

Your Health Detective:

Uncovering Clues to Add LIFE to Your Years…NOT Merely Years to Your Life, Naturally

 

Dr. Gloria Gilbère (aka Dr. G), N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D.,

EcoErgonomist, Wholistic Rejuvenist

 

Creator of certificated courses to become a Wholistic Rejuvenist™ (CWR) and for post-graduate education for health professionals. Go to www.gloriagilbere.com and click on Wholistic Skin & Body Rejuvenation (WSBR™) for course outline. Available on-site at worldwide locations, and via distance-learning at your convenience globally.

Cullin, M.R. ed. (1987 Workers with MCS Occupational Medicine State of the Art Reviews
Miller, Claudia (1994) Toxicology and Industrial Health   Vol 10 number 4/5 July-Oct.
Rea, William J., M.D.  (1992) Chemical Sensitivities.  CRC Press Inc.
Leviton, Richard (1990 Environmental Illness a Special Report Yoga Journal
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 1996 Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
Carson, Rachel (1962) Silent Spring, Houghton Mifflin

Gilbère, Gloria: I was Poisoned by my Body; Lucky Press
Colborn T., Dumanoski D., & Peterson Myers J.  Our Stolen Future  Penguin Books

Comments

[Coach outlet]

still love every scrap I have left in my stash and ever project I've done with it! Thanks

for sharing.
People are always telling you what to do, but what's right for them may not be right for

you.

[human recall]

I have been living with MARS for 20 years now.I just woke up one morning and was allergic to being alive. I cannot hold a job because of this unfortunate affliction and have never bothered to try to get disability because most doctors don't understand how very real this disease is.

[pharmacy technician salary]

Awesome site you’ve got here. Looks like you really know your stuff. I’m glad I found this in my searches. I really liked your angle that you have on the topic.