The first problem is one of diagnosis. Conventional medicine recognizes the fact that millions of people are chronically ill and that it can offer little for their arthritis, or migraine, or fatigue, or depression but chemically derived pills. Patients with a welter of confusing symptoms are often treated contemptuously, because the underlying cause of their many illnesses goes unnoticed. By its very nature, the etiology of environmentally caused chronic disease is hidden: this is “nature’s medical coverup.” The first job of the clinical ecologist is to cut through the confusion and demonstrate the underlying causes with convincing tests.

Over a period of about fifty years, clinical ecologists have worked out procedures which differ from those used by conventional doctors. Even the history-taking interview is different. I practice “poker-faced medicine,” in that I do not pass judgment on a patient’s symptoms upon first hearing them, no matter how bizarre they may seem. Many such symptoms later turn out to have significance in the patient’s medical history. A chemical questionnaire, which is included in Chapter 19, evolved through many editions and helps reveal a patient’s susceptibility. The reader can take this test himself and get a preliminary idea of his own degree of sensitivity to chemicals.

Treatment by the methods of clinical ecology is safe, inexpensive, and effective. It is based, primarily, on avoidance of those environmental agents which cause trouble. The Rotary Diversified Diet (described in Chap. 18) works well for all types of food allergies and can help those who wish to diagnose their food allergies, as well as those who wish to avoid their development.

The treatment of chemical susceptibility is also largely based on avoidance. A number of simple and inexpensive procedures are described which can help protect the many people who suffer unknowingly from chemical-related problems.

Taken together, the chapters in this section can help any reader to become more aware of his own highly personalized reaction to common foods and chemicals and to begin to take simple steps to deal with a growing problem.

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The food most often implicated is cow’s milk – the most common allergen of childhood. But the majority of these children appear to be sensitive to several foods, and to various airborne allergens, such as pollen. By putting these children on restricted diets, their symptoms have been fully or partially controlled. There are reports that neutralization treatments are also useful, where the food or foods concerned are difficult to avoid.

It must be emphasized that children such as these are rare, and the vast majority of cases of kidney disease are due to other causes. Nevertheless it does seem that food allergy can cause kidney damage in some children. Whether it can affect adults in this way is an open question.

Almost all the children affected in this way are atopic – that is, they show one of the classical allergic disorders, such as asthma or eczema. This raises the possibility that IgE and mast cells are somehow involved in the damaging reactions in their kidneys. While this is possible, it does not seem that IgE has a central role. Neither is it entirely certain that deposition of immune complexes is to blame. Some of the available evidence suggests that it is, but other studies point to different forms of immune reaction producing the damage.

Finally, Type-I allergic reactions to airborne allergens, such as pollen, may sometimes be linked with kidney disorders. Reactions of this type are thought to be extremely rare. It is not known whether IgE and mast cells are responsible for the damage in the kidney, or whether some other mechanism is at work.

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Mrs B. was 23 years old, a strict Jehovah’s Witness with three children under the age of three years. After a discussion about methods, she was adamant that she wanted no foreign chemicals in her body, and that she wished to rely on natural family planning, even although she insisted that she did not want another child for five years. She seemed unable to hear what the doctor said about the benefits and effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill. The doctor, though tempted, felt that discretion was the better part of valour and did not persist in advocating a more reliable method. Instead she taught the woman how to predict ovulation using both the thermosymptal and mucus method. A year passed then Mrs B. became unintentionally pregnant. She could not contemplate an abortion. She had the child, a boy, which was what she wanted. After this pregnancy she decided to take no more chances. She opted for the contraceptive pill, which she has taken for six years without problems.

The occurrence of an unplanned pregnancy and the birth of another baby had produced a change in the way she perceived the various factors in her life. Her need for reliable contraception, and perhaps also the resolution of her ambivalence about wanting a boy, was strong enough to override her fear of chemicals and her religious influences.

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Remember that children’s muscles tire easily – never take your child’s asthma for granted. If the child does not respond to his or her reliever medicine or inhaler, call your doctor urgently or take the child to the hospital where they will have a nebuliser that delivers the reliever medicine more efficiently.

Xanthine bronchodilators (such as Phyllocontin, Nuelin, Uniphyllin) have a different chemical effect from beta-adrenoceptor agonists, although they too relax the muscles around the airways. At the correct dose for the individual, they cause no side effects; your doctor will need to adjust the dosage should they cause known side effects of stomach upsets, palpitations, sleep disturbance, or epileptic fits. These are not permanent effects. These drugs are given as tablets or suppositories and can be useful for slow release overnight to avoid waking to use an inhaler.

Anti-cholinergics are drugs which control the width of the airways of the lung. They work by blocking the contraction of muscle around the airways. A modem version of the drug called Atrovent can be used as an aerosol and inhaled. Its side effects are rare except at high doses; they include a dry mouth, constipation and finding passing urine difficult.

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Independent tests have shown them to remove over 99 per cent of pesticide residues and chlorine, over 99 per cent of metals and 90 per cent of nitrates. They also remove most bacteria, parasites and viruses. Distillation systems are the only other water treatment systems which produce comparably pure water, but they have greater disadvantages.

RO systems work by forcing part of the water flow through a semipermeable membrane, combined usually with a sediment filter and an activated carbon filter (see below), which also absorbs contaminants. The water is stored in a small reservoir tank until needed.

The main benefit of RO systems is the purity of the water resulting. In addition, contaminants are washed away. They are not held in any treatment medium and cannot wash back into the system.

They have drawbacks, however. They have a very low flow-rate and need a high water pressure to work well. They are extremely wasteful of water. More than 75 per cent of the water used goes down the drain and this could be an important cost factor if water metering is introduced. Mineral salts are removed and the water has a bland, insipid taste which some people dislike.

Most of the reverse osmosis systems available are for plumbing in under a sink or basin with one tap outlet. A skilled DIYer could instal them, but many people will need a plumber’s help. These undersink systems are also bulky and need a lot of space. They cost between £300 and £500, excluding any plumbing costs. The membranes need replacing every 18 months to three years and cost between £50 and £90. Carbon filter cartridges need replacing every six to twelve months and cost between £15 and £30.

A portable end-of-tap version is available at £90 (1992 prices), which is very convenient, and has the advantage that you can take it with you outside the home – to work, or on visits.

Firms will quote specially for installing reverse osmosis equipment to cover a whole water system. This will probably cost well over £1000 before plumbing costs, and the low flow-rate and water wastage would be very inconvenient in practice.

It has been known for some people – extremely isolated cases to react to RO water. However, it is the purest available and if you are unlucky enough to be that sensitive, it is probably still the best you can find. Manage your expectations if you are thinking of trying it though. Do not pin your hopes on it, just in case, if you have a history of exceptional sensitivity. Test it systematically before installing an expensive system. System suppliers can provide samples.

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If you have repairs, rust-proofing or service work done to your car, involving chemicals which upset you, get the garage to keep the car for a few hours, overnight or a day or two extra to allow the fumes to disperse.

For cleaning, Simoniz have a range of solvent-free car shampoos, available from car accessory shops. To clean the inside of a car thoroughly, vacuum, or steam clean if something drastic is needed. Do not use car fresheners. For windscreen wash, fill bottles just with water. Ask garages not to use any detergents in windscreen wash bottles, and not to use any detergents or polishes if they are servicing or repairing your car.

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The Green Catalogue also sell disposable sanitary towels in non-chlorine bleached pulp if you are sensitive to chlorine.

If you can tolerate neither of these, try using a pure cotton muslin nappy (usually sold for babies). Fold the nappy and wear it with a pair of plastic waterproof pants over it, if you tolerate the plastic. If you do not tolerate the waterproof pants, try using a pair of thick cotton pants with a thin strip of plastic cut from a plastic bag placed between them and the folded nappy. Pin the nappy to the pants if you wish. Boots and Mothercare sell muslin nappies, usually non-chlorine bleached.

If you want to disinfect them after use and kill smells, make a solution of Borax in a bucket. Put one dessertspoonful of Borax in a bucket of warm water. Soak for up to a day, rinse and launder, preferably on a hot programme. Boots stock, or will order, domestic Borax.

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Aspirin sensitivity is common, so avoid it. Use paracetamol BP to reduce fever. It is well tolerated by people with allergies and sensitivities, and reduces high fever effectively. Most allergies tolerate ordinary Paracetamol BP tablets well.

If you are very sensitive, you may perhaps react to powders used in tabletting the paracetamol. Your doctor can prescribe for you pure paracetamol powder which has no other constituents. It is bitter and does not dissolve well, so is difficult to take; but it may suit you better.

If your baby or child reacts to the paracetamol liquids made for children, the cause may be colourings or flavourings. High fever in an infant or young child can be dangerous; take your doctor’s advice about alternatives to liquid paracetamol for babies and children.

Head Lice

Most proprietary treatments for head lice use very strong and troublesome chemicals. To prevent head lice infestation, shampoo hair frequently with hot water and brush regularly. This can damage young insects before they become established and prevent them laying eggs.

There is no natural remedy for head lice. Some treatments are made up in a water-based (aqueous) solution. These are better tolerated than those made up with alcohol.

Indigestion Relief

For indigestion, dissolve a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in a glass of water and drink. Take not more than three times a day, and not for prolonged periods. Consult your doctor if you are on a low-salt diet.

Persistent indigestion may be a symptom of food intolerance or allergy.

You can also take Boots Cream of Magnesia liquid for indigestion relief.

Inflammation of Joints

For an inflamed joint, you can apply a Kaolin poultice. Ask your pharmacist for instructions. You can also apply an ice pack, or a hot water bottle or hot cloths to ease joint inflammation. Do this gently at first.

Insect Repellent

Unless you are sensitive to plant terpenes, try using lavender oil, dabbed on heels, ankles, throat, and inner elbows to deter insects. Citronella can also be effective, but again take care if you are sensitive to plant oils.

Insect Stings

Bee stings are relieved by alkali solutions; wasp stings by acid solutions. Therefore, apply a solution of sodium bicarbonate to bee stings; apply vinegar or lemon juice to wasp stings, unless you react to these; in which case, you should use a weak solution of boric acid.

If your skin reacts badly to mosquito and other insect bites, dab on Boots Cream of Magnesia Liquid and allow to dry. This will soothe and reduce swelling.

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Bread Vitamins based on yeast

Breaded food (e.g. fish, ) Oxo cubes chicken legs

Breadcrumbs Bovril Stock cubes

Yeast bakery (e.g. crumpets, Vinegar

muffins, doughnuts, croissants) Pickles

Alcohol of all kinds Sauerkraut

Ginger ale, ginger beer

Yeast spreads (e.g. Marmite)

Brewers’ yeast

Yeast is often contained as an ingredient in all kinds of processed foods, biscuits and baked goods. Read labels and avoid any foods containing the following.

Hydrolysed protein Hydrolysed vegetable protein Leavening

If you are highly sensitive to yeast, it may also benefit you to leave out other mould- and fungi-containing foods (including cheese, mushrooms and malts).

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