Oral Allergy Syndrome

If you suffer from enviromental allergens, this has some intresting information.

Oral allergy syndrome or OAS is a type of food allergy classified by a cluster of allergic reactions in the mouth in response to eating certain (usually fresh) fruits, nuts, and vegetables that typically develops in adult hay fever sufferers.

OAS is perhaps the most common food-related allergy in adults. OAS is not a separate food allergy, but rather represents cross-reactivity between distant remnants of tree or weed pollen still found in certain fruits and vegetables. Therefore, OAS is typically only seen in tree and weed allergic patients, and is usually limited to ingestion of only uncooked fruits or vegetables.

Another term used for this syndrome is '"Pollen-Food Allergy."' In adults up to 60% of all food allergic reactions are due to cross-reactions between foods and inhalative allergens.

However, unlike other food allergies, in oral allergy syndrome, the reaction is limited to the mouth, lips, tongue and throat.

OAS is a Type 1 or IgE-mediated immune response, which is sometimes called a "true allergy". The body's immune system produces IgE antibodies against pollen; in OAS, these antibodies also bind to (or cross-react with) other structurally similar proteins found in botanically related plants.
OAS can occur anytime of the year but is most prevalent during the pollen season. Individuals with OAS usually develop symptoms within a few minutes after eating the food.

Symptoms
OAS sufferers may have any of a number of allergic reactions that usually occur very rapidly, within minutes of eating a trigger food. The most common reaction is an itching or burning sensation in the lips, mouth, ear canal, and/or pharynx. Sometimes other reactions can be triggered in the eyes, nose, and skin. Swelling of the lips, tongue, and uvula and a sensation of tightness in the throat may be observed. Seldom it can result in anaphylaxis. If a sufferer swallows the food, and the allergen is not destroyed by the stomach acids there is a good chance that there will be a reaction from histamine release later in the gastrointestinal tract. Vomiting, diarrhea, severe indigestion, or cramps may occur. Rarely, OAS may be severe and present as wheezing, vomiting, hives and low blood pressure.

Mechanism

In OAS, the immune system produces antibodies that are capable of binding to both pollen proteins and structurally similar food proteins. Consequently, the same immune system response can trigger allergy symptoms in two different situations: hay fever (in the presence of pollen) and food allergy (in the presence of certain foods). Histamine releases from mast cells located in the oropharynx, gut and skin when IgE binds to the molecule causing local inflammation.
The triggering molecule involved is known as an allergen. Allergens vary in their stability and may or may not survive digestion, storage, heat, cold, cooking or pasteurisation.
Lipid transfer proteins (LTP) are not easily denatured by digestion or cooking and are important triggers of anaphylaxis.
The antibody may react to the linear (amino acid) sequence of the protein or to a conformational epitope. If the response is to the conformational epitope, then the person with OAS may be able to eat the food when it is cooked, but not when it is raw. If the response is to the linear sequence (common in tree pollen/nut allergies), then cooking the food has no effect on its ability to trigger an allergic reaction.

Causes

OAS produces symptoms when an affected person eats certain fruits, vegetables and nuts. Some individuals may only show allergy to only one particular food, and others may show an allergic response to many foods.

Individuals with an allergy to tree pollen may develop OAS to a variety of foods. While the tree pollen allergy has been worked out, the grass pollen is not well understood. Furthermore, some individuals have severe reactions to certain fruits and vegetables that do not fall into any particular allergy category. In recent years, it has also become apparent that when tropical foods initiate OAS, allergy to latex may be the underlying cause.

Because the allergenic proteins associated with OAS are usually destroyed by cooking, most reactions are caused by eating raw foods. The main exceptions to this are celery and nuts, which may cause reactions even after being cooked.

Cross reactions

Allergies to a certain pollen are associated with OAS reactions to certain foods. For instance, an allergy to ragweed is associated with OAS reactions to banana, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, zucchini, and cucumber. This does not mean that all sufferers of an allergy to ragweed will experience adverse effects from all or even any of these foods. Reactions may begin with one type of food and with reactions to others developing later. However, reaction to one or more foods in any given category does not necessarily mean a person is allergic to all foods in that group.

• Alder pollen: almonds, apples, celery, cherries, hazel nuts, peaches, pears, parsley, strawberry, raspberry
• Birch pollen: almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, carrots, celery, cherries, chicory, coriander, fennel, fig, hazel nuts, kiwifruit, nectarines, parsley, parsnips, peaches, pears, peppers, plums, potatoes, prunes, soy, strawberries, wheat; Potential: walnuts
• Grass pollen: fig, melons, tomatoes, oranges
• Mugwort pollen : carrots, celery, coriander, fennel, parsley, peppers, sunflower
• Ragweed pollen : banana, cantaloupe, cucumber, green pepper, paprika, sunflower seeds/oil, honeydew, watermelon, zucchini, echinacea, artichoke, dandelions, honey (if bees pollinate from wild flowers), hibiscus or chamomile tea
• Possible cross-reactions (to any of the above): berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc), citrus (oranges, lemons, etc), grapes, mango, figs, peanut, pineapple, pomegranates, watermelon

Diagnosis

The patient typically already has a history of atopy and an atopic family history. Eczema, otolaryngeal symptoms of hay fever or asthma will often dominate leading to the food allergy being unsuspected. Often well-cooked, canned, pasteurized or frozen food offenders cause little to no reaction due to denaturation of the cross-reacting proteins, causing delay and confusion in diagnosis as the symptoms are elicited only to the raw or fully ripened fresh foods. Correct diagnosis of the allergen type/s involved is critical. OAS sufferers may be allergic to more than just pollen. Oral reactions to food are often mistakenly self-diagnosed by patients as caused by pesticides or other contaminants. Other reactions to food—such as lactose intolerance and intolerances which result from a patient being unable to metabolize naturally occurring chemicals (e.g., salicylates and proteins) in food—need to be distinguished from the systemic symptoms of OAS.
The cornerstone of diagnosis remains an accurate history of symptoms and an elimination diet followed by a food challenge. Skin prick testing and RAST testing are used as adjuncts to the clinical history—they cannot be used for diagnosis alone. Prick to prick testing with fresh foods is more reliable for some extremely labile allergens such as those found in apple than testing with commercial extracts which will commonly give a false negative. If the history is suggestive and the skin prick test negative, fresh foods should be used.

Testing

Many people have no idea that they have OAS. However, if swelling, tingling or pain develops while eating certain foods, then it is wise to see an allergy specialist. Before a diagnosis can be made, keep a food diary. This is important as the physician can then perform an allergy test. Before testing is started, a comprehensive history is obtained so that random testing is avoided and saves money. The diagnosis of OAS may involve skin prick tests, blood tests, patch tests or oral challenges. When OAS is suspected, the oral challenge test is ideal.

Exams

To confirm OAS, the suspected food is consumed in a normal way. The period of observation after ingestion and symptoms are recorded. If other co factors like combined foods are required, this is also replicated in the test. For example, if the individual always develops symptoms after eating followed by exercise, then this is replicated in the laboratory.

Treatment

OAS must be managed in conjunction with the patient's other allergies, primarily the allergy to pollen. The symptom severity may wax and wane with the pollen levels. Published pollen counts and seasonal charts are useful but may be ineffective in cases of high wind or unusual weather, as pollen can travel hundreds of kilometers from other areas. The syndrome will abate within 2–3 years if the patient moves to an area free of the triggering pollen.
Moving usually results in the development of allergy to the local pollens.

In addition, patients are advised to avoid the triggering foods, particularly nuts.
Peeling or cooking the foods has been shown to eliminate the effects of some allergens such as mal d 1 (apple), but not others such as celery or strawberry. In the case of foods such as hazelnut, which have more than one allergen, cooking may eliminate one allergen but not the other.
Antihistamines may also relieve the symptoms of the allergy by blocking the immune pathway. Persons with a history of severe anaphylactic reaction may carry an injectable emergency dose of epinephrine (such as an EpiPen). Oral steroids may also be helpful. Allergy immunotherapy has been reported to improve or cure OAS in some patients. Immunotherapy with extracts containing birch pollen may benefit OAS sufferers of apple or hazelnut related to birch pollen-allergens. Even so, the increase in the amount of apple/hazelnut tolerated was small (from 12.6 to 32.6 g apple), and as a result, a patient's management of OAS would be limited.

^{Article From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_allergy_syndrome}

Mia's X-Ray Results

Mia's x-ray showed she has moderate instead of severe build up in her now, so we are continuing meds for the next 2 weeks, then see where we are.

Echolalia

Mia was also diagnosed with Echolalia, which a lot of kids with autism have.  Mia can repeat the words she hears, but doesn't necessarily know the meaning of what she is repeating.

Echolalia is the automatic repetition of vocalizations made by another person. It is closely related to echopraxia, the automatic repetition of movements made by another person.

Another X-Ray

We are still having issues with Mia's bowels even after doing mulitple clean out treatments at home.The doctor ordered another X-ray last night to see if there are still blockages.  Hopefully we will get results Monday, and find out what we will have to do to get this problem fixed for Miss Mia...

New Diagnosis Information

We got the test results back from Mia's bloodwork.  She was diagnosed with the following:

Colitis, Enteritis and Gastroenteritis of infectious origin
Hyprothyrodism
Pyrrole Disorder
Vitamin D Deficiency
Copper Excess
Zinc Deficiency
Primary Carntitine Deficiency
CNS Oxidative Stress
Slow Transit Constipation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Sleep Disturbance
Irritability
Copy of MTHFR C677T gene variant

I will be posting information on all of these, and I will be highlighting the symptoms that Mia has. I know some people don't fully understand how the smallest things can effect each of us as a whole.  As Mia's mommy I am the only one who can reach out and try to give her the best her life has to offer. I'm am fortunate to have a husband who has loved us through our journey ths far, and we pray for strength and faith that we make the right decisions for our precious Mia.

Slow Transit Constipation

The large intestine massages waste along its length to the rectum by rhythmic, muscular contractions of its walls (peristalsis). This activity is controlled by nerves of the enteric nervous system (ENS). Slow transit constipation (STC), formerly known as neuronal intestinal dysplasia (NID), is characterised by the reduced motility (spontaneous movement) within the large intestine, caused by abnormalities of the enteric nerves.

The unusually slow passage of waste through the large intestine leads to chronic problems, such as constipation and uncontrollable soiling. There is no cure.

Symptoms of slow transit constipation

The most common symptoms include:

• Passing bowel motions infrequently
• Constipation
• Uncontrollable soiling
• Abdominal pains
• Nausea
• Poor appetite.

Less common symptoms include:

• Blood in the stools (poo)
• Haemorrhoids
• Diarrhoea.

STC can be diagnosed soon after birth

The first bowel motion after birth isn’t true faeces, but a dark, gluey substance known as meconium. Most of this substance comprises the mucus that layered and protected the bowel lining while the baby was in utero. A newborn with STC may not pass their meconium until 24 hours or more after being born. The delayed passage of meconium may lead doctors to investigate further.

STC is a neuromuscular problem

The nerves communicate with muscle fibres by releasing chemical messages called neurotransmitters. These messages are picked up by special receptors in the muscle tissue. If enough receptors are stimulated, the result is muscular contraction.

Some studies have suggested that children with STC have abnormal neurotransmitters in the muscular layer of their intestinal walls. These abnormalities include a deficiency of a peptide known as substance P, which is thought to contribute to peristalsis. Research also indicates that the nerve cells of the bowel may be abnormal in number, position or appearance.

Quality of life can be severely affected

Many children with STC have emotional and behavioural problems, including:

• Constant anxiety about losing control of their bowels in public
• Fear and embarrassment about their condition
• Withdrawal from social situations
• Depression and loss of self-esteem, especially if they are teased by other children at school.

STC may mimic or coincide with Hirschsprung’s disease

Hirschsprung’s disease is characterised by the congenital lack of nerve cells in the rectum, large intestine or both. This means that peristalsis of the rectum or large intestine is absent, so that waste simply stalls and can’t be expelled via the anus. The symptoms include severe constipation and obstruction.

This disease is similar in many ways to STC, which can make diagnosis difficult. A further challenge to diagnosis is that STC and Hirschsprung’s disease quite often occur together.

Diagnosis of slow transit constipation

STC is often missed as a diagnosis because of the standard tests used for constipation, including:

• X-ray – to see if the bowel is distended with excess faeces
• Barium enema – a special contrasting liquid is flushed into the bowel via the anus, then x-rays are taken

A more specialised diagnosis or confirmation of STC should involve one or more of the following:

• Comprehensive assessment by a specialist continence adviser – a child with STC may have a distended abdomen and obvious discomfort.
• Colonic nuclear transit study (NTS) – the child swallows a radioactive dose. Its passage through the bowels is then tracked over three days.
• Full thickness laparoscopic biopsy – a small surgical incision is made in three places on the abdomen and samples are taken of the bowel wall to look at the muscles and nerve supply and the messenger molecules. This should not be mistaken for rectal biopsies.

Treatment for slow transit constipation

There is no cure for slow transit constipation. Treatment options may include:

• Drugs to improve bowel motility
• Regular enemas to flush the rectum of faeces
• Interferential electrical stimulation therapy (used in what is known as the TIC TOC treatment trial). The treatment is painless and often increases the child’s bowel motility, improves their bowel emptying and reduces the need for medications, washouts and/or surgery.

A range of surgery options

For some families, symptoms may be so severe that surgical options may need to be considered. The type of surgery chosen depends on the location and extent of the affected bowel, and the health and age of the child. Options include:

• A colostomy is formed, where the bowel is re-routed through an artificial hole in the abdominal wall, and a colostomy bag is fitted. Sometimes, a temporary colostomy is performed.
• The appendix may be brought to the surface to create a tiny stoma (opening). This can be done using a laparoscope (telescopic surgery). Enemas can be given regularly directly into the stoma or appendix.
• It is not always possible to treat STC with surgery, as too much of the bowel may be affected.

Coping strategies

Strategies that may help your child to cope with STC include:

• Don’t ever chastise your child for soiling. Remember that their bowels are difficult to control.
• Offer pull-up disposable nappies or other continence aids appropriate to your child’s age.
• Allow your child to talk about their feelings.
• Make sure you educate your child about STC, so they realise their bowel control problems are not their fault.
• Devise an ‘action plan’ in consultation with your child’s school, which includes a trusted teacher’s cooperation at toilet time, and easy access to toilets and a shower.
• Join a support group such as the Paediatric Continence Association of Australia.
• Contact a specialist STC clinic.
• Professional counselling for the child and family members may be helpful.

Copper Excess

Copper's Role in the Body
Copper is critical for energy production in the cells. It is also involved in nerve conduction, connective tissue, the cardiovascular system and the immune system. Copper is closely related to estrogen metabolism, and is required for women's fertility and to maintain pregnancy. Copper stimulates production of the neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. It is also required for monoamine oxidase, an enzyme related to serotonin production.
It is possible to become copper-toxic or copper-deficient, and there is a condition called biounavailable copper. In the latter, copper is present, but cannot be utilized. Toxicity and biounavailability are seen most often. This article uses the words copper imbalance when more than one situation is possible.
Physical conditions associated with copper imbalance include arthritis, fatigue, adrenal burnout, insomnia, scoliosis, osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, migraine headaches, seizures, fungal and bacterial infections including yeast infection, gum disease, tooth decay, skin and hair problems and female organ conditions including uterine fibroids, endometriosis and others.
Mental and emotional disorders related to copper imbalance include spaciness, depression, mood swings, fears, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, violence, autism, schizophrenia, and attention deficit disorder. Copper deficiency is associated with aneurysms, gout, anemia and osteoporosis. Interestingly, the symptoms of premenstrual tension are identical to the symptoms of copper imbalance.
Copper Sources
Today, many children are born with excessive tissue copper. It is passed from high-copper mothers to their children through the placenta.
Stress from any cause contributes to copper imbalance. Stress depletes the adrenal glands and lowers the zinc level in the body. Whenever zinc becomes deficient, copper tends to accumulate. Our soil is low in zinc. Refined sugar, white rice and white flour have been stripped of their zinc. The trend toward vegetarianism reduces zinc in the diet, since red meat is the best dietary source of zinc.
Copper is found in many foods, particularly vegetarian proteins such as nuts, beans, seeds and grains. Meats contain copper, but it is balanced by zinc which competes for its absorption. Chocolate is high in copper. A desire for copper may help explain chocolate cravings.
Another source of copper is drinking water that remained in copper water pipes, or copper added to your water supply. During a recent dry summer, several Oregon cities added copper sulfate to their reservoirs to reduce algae growth. Accident and disease rates increased.
Other sources of copper are copper cookware, dental materials, vitamin pills, fungicides and pesticides residues on food, copper intra-uterine devices and birth control pills. Mrs. Robinson and her 6-month-old, breast-fed baby both began to experience hair loss. The cause was a daily prenatal vitamin containing 4 milligrams of copper, far too much for this high-copper mother.
Deficiencies of manganese, iron, B-vitamins and vitamin C can cause copper to accumulate. Adrenal hormones cause the liver to produce ceruloplasmin, the main copper binding protein in the body. Therefore, sluggish liver or weak adrenal glands may cause copper to build up in the tissues.
The Copper Personality
There is a high copper personality. Positive traits include a warm, caring, sensitive, emotional nature, often with artistic orientation and a child-like quality. Often high-copper people are young-looking. Many traditional feminine traits are associated with copper, such as softness, gentleness and intuitiveness.
When the personality is not fully integrated or the copper becomes too high, negative traits show up. These include spaciness, racing thoughts, living in a dream world, childishness, excessive emotions, sentimentality, a tendency to depression, fearfulness, hidden anger and resentments, phobias, psychosis and violence. Artists, inventors and other high-copper types often "live on the edge", in part due to their high copper level.
The copper personality tends to accumulate copper easily. Copper functions as a psychological defense mechanism. It causes one to detach slightly from reality. This provides relief from stress for the sensitive individual. It works well as long as the copper does not become too high. Very high copper can cause a psychotic break from reality, a type of schizophrenia.
An 18-year old schizophrenic patient had a hair copper level of 40 mg% (normal is 2.5 mg %). She hallucinated and attempted suicide twice while in the Scottsdale Camelback Mental Hospital. When her copper decreased to normal through a diet and supplement program, her symptoms disappeared and she has remained well.
Copper and Society
Is it possible that our mineral balance affects our attitudes? Copper is called the 'psychic' mineral, the 'intuitive' mineral, and a 'feminine' mineral because it is so important for the female reproductive system. Its level generally parallels that of estrogen. While many factors influence our attitudes and values, the rise in tissue copper levels in both men and women in the past twenty years parallels renewed interest in feminism, in psychic and intuitive knowledge, and 'nurturing' movements such as environmentalism.
Copper and Children
Children are often born with high copper levels. Young children are very sensitive and intuitive. They often lose some of their sensitivity and 'psychic abilities' as their copper levels diminish around age four.
Persistent elevated copper levels in children are common today. The problem often begins during gestation, when high-copper mothers pass on excessive copper (and often low zinc) to the fetus through the placenta. This is called congenital, rather than genetic high copper. It can be prevented by correcting one's copper metabolism before becoming pregnant. After birth, poor nutrition, stress in the home, and overuse of prescription drugs can aggravate a child's copper imbalance.
Copper imbalance in children is associated with delayed development, attention deficit disorder, anti-social and hyperactive behavior, autism, learning difficulties and infections such as ear infections.
Vegetarian Diets
Excess copper interferes with zinc, a mineral needed to make digestive enzymes. Too much copper also impairs thyroid activity and the functioning of the liver. If severe enough, a person will become an obligatory vegetarian. This means they are no longer able to digest meat very well. Conversely, if one becomes a vegetarian for other reasons, most likely one's copper level will increase. Vegetarian proteins are higher in copper, and lower in zinc.
At times, the vegetarian orientation is health-producing. In many people, however, restricted diets do not work well. Fatigue, spaciness and other symptoms begin to appear. Many people, including the author, felt they were becoming more spiritual on a vegetarian diet, when in fact it was just copper poisoning! The taste for meat often returns when copper is brought into better balance.
Some people with high copper dislike all protein. They crave high-carbohydrate diets. Protein feels heavy or causes other symptoms. Eating protein stimulates glandular activity. This releases stored copper which causes the symptoms. However, these individuals usually need to eat protein. The symptoms will eventually disappear.
Copper-toxic individuals may also be drawn to sweets or salty foods due to adrenal insufficiency. Some sea salt is often beneficial. Sweets, including fruit juices, provide a temporary lift but may worsen the condition.
Adrenal Burnout
Adrenal burnout, characterized by chronic fatigue and other symptoms, is often related to fear and copper imbalance. Although correcting emotional and other factors are necessary, improving the copper imbalance, supporting the adrenals and releasing fearful thoughts go hand in hand to restore optimum health.
Copper and Yeast Infections
Our bodies use copper to help control the growth of yeast. This may be because copper favors aerobic metabolism. Copper is required for the electron transport system, where most of our cellular energy is produced. Yeast organisms use anaerobic metabolism.
Copper sulfate is often sprayed on crops to kill yeast and fungus. Copper is also used in some swimming pools and hot tubs to control yeast and bacterial growth.
When copper is out of balance, our bodies cannot control yeast overgrowth. This often led to chronic Candida albicans infections that are resistant to treatment.
Detecting Copper Imbalance
Blood, urine and even hair analysis may not reveal copper toxicity directly. Copper is stored mainly in the brain, liver and other organs, not in the blood or urine.
Challenge tests with a chelating agent such as EDTA may be used to detect excess copper. Several indirect indicators on a hair mineral test are also excellent to detect copper imbalance. These include a hair calcium level greater than about 100 mg%, a potassium level less than about 3 mg%, a sodium/potassium ratio less than 2.5:1, a zinc/copper ratio less than 6:1, an elevated mercury level or a copper level less than 1.0 mg%.
Balancing Copper
The author dealt with severe copper imbalance in himself and with many others for the past 18 years. Six methods are used to reduce copper in the tissues:

1. Reduce exposure to sources of copper.
2. Antagonists such as zinc, manganese and iron compete with copper for absorption and utilization. Vitamins B6 and folic acid may also be helpful. Selenium and cysteine may be helpful. Research indicates copper may be excreted by binding with glutathione and metallothionine which require these nutrients.
3. Chelators of copper include vitamin C, molybdenum and sulfur-containing amino acids. These bind and remove copper. More powerful chelators may be used, but can have side effects.
4. Enhance the eliminative organs, such as the liver, skin and colon.
5. Balance body chemistry, enhance energy production and improve adrenal gland activity. To support the adrenal glands, avoid sweets, eat protein with each meal, and supplement your diet with vitamins A, C and E, manganese, zinc and B-complex vitamins. Animal protein is very helpful due to its higher content of zinc, B-vitamins and sulfur amino acids including cysteine and taurine. Adrenal glandular substance is also frequently helpful.
6. Reduce fear and stress. Methods range from a change in location or work to meditation, therapy, more rest and other changes.

Copper Detoxification Symptoms
One of the difficulties in reducing excess copper are symptoms that arise during the process of elimination. As the body begins to mobilize excess copper from tissue storage sites, it enters the bloodstream on its way to the liver and kidneys for elimination. While in the bloodstream, the copper can cause headaches, skin rashes, racing thoughts, strange odors, digestive upset, mood swings and energy fluctuations. In men, testicular pain is not uncommon. Women s periods may be affected. If one knows what is occurring, it is possible to take measures to minimize these temporary elimination symptoms. Enemas, sweating, and drinking more water can help promote copper elimination. Reducing the nutrition program for a few days may also help slow the reactions and reduce symptoms if they are severe. Supplements particularly molybdenum, bile acids, laxative herbs and vitamin B6 may also mitigate elimination symptoms.
Attitude for Copper Balance
Adequate rest and sleep are important. Any technique to help handle stress is also helpful. A simple but powerful technique for handling all negative emotions is given in an excellent book, Emissary of Light, by James Twyman. He suggests feeling our negative emotions purely, dissociating them from thoughts. Feel them in the body. Then move the feeling to the heart area, visualize a small door just in front of you, open the door and release the emotion. Realize that all feelings are just energies. They can be transmuted, sent forth and used for good.
High copper people are often sensitive, must acknowledge this and 'live their own truth'. At the same time, a careful look at one's attitudes, especially hidden fears, angers and resentments, is very important. Overcoming copper imbalance often involves overcoming deep fears.
Life is not always easy for the copper-toxic person. There is a temptation to become resentful or depressed at times. With understanding, nutritional help and endless compassion for oneself, these obstacles can be overcome. Then the creative, intuitive and loving qualities of the high-copper individual can shine through to the world.

Colitis, Enteritis and Gastroenteritis of Infectious Origin

This is the yeast and bacteria that has built up in Mia's system from the blockages.  The yeast has come out in the form of a diaper rash, which she has had since May 2.

Hyprthyrodism

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck just below the voice box (larynx). It releases hormones that control metabolism.
Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is more common in women and people over age 50.
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is thyroiditis. Swelling and inflammation damage the thyroid gland's cells. Causes of this problem include:

• An attack of the thyroid gland by the immune system
• Cold or other respiratory infection
• Pregnancy (often called "postpartum thyroiditis")

Other causes of hypothyroidism include:

• Certain drugs, such as lithium and amiodarone
• Congenital (birth) defects
• Radiation treatments to the neck or brain to treat different cancers
• Radioactive iodine used to treat an overactive thyroid gland
• Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland
• Sheehan syndrome, a condition that may occur in a woman who bleeds severely during pregnancy or childbirth and causes the destruction of the pituitary gland

Symptoms

Early symptoms:

• Hard stools or constipation
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Fatigue or feeling slowed down 
• Heavier menstrual periods
• Joint or muscle pain
• Paleness or dry skin
• Sadness or depression
• Thin, brittle hair or fingernails
• Weakness
• Weight gain without trying 

Late symptoms, if left untreated:

• Decreased taste and smell
• Hoarseness
• Puffy face, hands, and feet
• Slow speech
• Thickening of the skin
• Thinning of eyebrows

Signs and tests

A physical examination may reveal a smaller-than-normal thyroid gland, although sometimes the gland is normal size or even enlarged (goiter). The examination may also reveal:

• Brittle nails
• Coarse features of the face
• Pale or dry skin, which may be cool to the touch
• Swelling of the arms and legs
• Thin and brittle hair

Lab tests to determine thyroid function include:

• TSH test
• T4 test

Other tests that may be done:

• Cholesterol levels
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Liver enzymes
• Prolactin
• Sodium

Treatment

The purpose of treatment is to replace the thyroid hormone that is lacking. Levothyroxine is the most commonly used medication.

• Doctors will prescribe the lowest dose possible that relieves your symptoms and brings your blood hormone levels back to normal.
• If you have heart disease or you are older, your doctor may start you on a very small dose.
• Most people with an underactive thyroid will need lifelong therapy.

Expectations (prognosis)

In most cases, thyroid levels return to normal with proper treatment. However, you must take thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of your life.
Myxedema coma can result in death.

Complications

Myxedema coma, the most severe form of hypothyroidism, is rare. It may be caused by an infection, illness, exposure to cold, or certain medications in people with untreated hypothyroidism.
Symptoms and signs of myxedema coma include:

• Below normal temperature
• Decreased breathing
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood sugar
• Unresponsiveness

Other complications are:

• Heart disease
• Increased risk of infection
• Infertility
• Miscarriage

People with untreated hypothyroidism are at increased risk for:

• Giving birth to a baby with birth defects
• Heart disease because of higher levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol
• Heart failure

Zinc Deficiency

Signs of zinc deficiency include white spots on the nails, skin lesions, diarrhea, and wasting of body tissues. A lack of zinc can contribute to acne.  Eyesight, taste, smell and memory are also connected with zinc. A deficiency in zinc can cause malfunctions of these organs and functions. Congenital abnormalities causing zinc deficiency may lead to a disease called acrodermatitis enteropathica.

Zinc deficiency contributes to an increased incidence and severity of diarrhea and pneumonia. Studies have shown that zinc treatment results in a 25 percent reduction in duration of acute diarrhea and a 40 percent reduction in treatment failure or death in persistent diarrhea. The studies determined that a ten-day therapy of zinc treatment can considerably reduce the duration and severity of diarrheal episodes, decrease stool output, and lessen the need for hospitalization. Zinc may also prevent future diarrhea episodes for up to three months. The current World Health Organization recommendation for diarrhea control includes the use of 20 mg per day of zinc supplementation for 10 to 14 days (10 mg per day for infants under the age of six months). A zinc taste test may have potential for diagnosing deficiency.

The influence of zinc on hunger is complex and likely depends upon the status of other nutrients, the developmental stage of the animal, and percentage body fat. Some research groups have argued for a role of zinc deficiency decreasing appetite, while others have shown zinc ingestion can reduce feelings of hunger by increasing leptin levels. There is evidence that the way zinc influences hunger depends on the sodium/osmotic status of the organism, with low sodium/low zinc levels increasing hunger and high sodium/low zinc levels decreasing it. An organism with a low level of zinc has an increased susceptibility to hypoosmotic stress and cell rupture. Thus if the osmotic pressure is too low the organism may be inclined to eat to raise osmolality and prevent osmotic shock. It should be noted that zinc is known to affect osmolality by increasing sodium retention.

CNS Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the systemic manifestation of reactive oxygen species and a biological system's ability to readily detoxify the reactive intermediates or to repair the resulting damage. Disturbances in the normal redox state of cells can cause toxic effects through the production of peroxides and free radicals that damage all components of the cell, including proteins, lipids, and DNA. Further, some reactive oxidative species act as cellular messengers in redox signaling. Thus, oxidative stress can cause disruptions in normal mechanisms of cellular signaling.

Primary Carntitine Deficiency

Carnitine is a naturally occurring hydrophilic amino acid derivative, produced endogenously in the kidneys and liver
The following may be associated with carnitine deficiency:
Primary carnitine deficiency
One classic initial presentation of primary carnitine deficiency is hypoketotic hypoglycemic encephalopathy, accompanied by hepatomegaly, elevated liver transaminases, and hyperammonemia.
Cardiomyopathy is the other classic presentation (affecting older children); onset may occur with rapidly progressive heart failure. Cardiomyopathy can also be observed in older patients with a metabolic presentation, even if they are asymptomatic from a cardiac standpoint.
Pericardial effusion has also been observed in association with primary carnitine deficiency.[5]
Muscle weakness, the third manifestation of the disease, may accompany the heart failure or present by itself.
Carnitine deficiency may be a cause of GI dysmotility, with recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Hypochromic anemia and recurrent infections are other manifestations of the disease.
Few patients who were asymptomatic most of their lives have presented following the birth of a child.
Mild developmental delay can be the only manifestation in rare cases.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Symptoms, Bone pain or tenderness in Arms, Legs, Pelvis or Spine. Dental deformities , Delayed formation of teeth, Decreased muscle tone (loss of muscle strength), Defects in the structure of teeth; holes in the enamel, Increased cavities in the teeth (dental caries), Progressive weakness, Impaired growth, Increased bone fractures, Muscle cramps, Short stature (adults less than 5 feet tall), Skeletal deformities , Asymmetrical or odd-shaped skull, Bowlegs, Bumps in the ribcage (rachitic rosary), Breastbone pushed forward (pigeon chest), Pelvic deformitiesSpine deformities (spine curves abnormally, including scoliosis or kyphosis)

Pyrrole Disorder

 Pyrrole Disorder is an abnormality in biochemistry resulting in the overproduction of a urinary pyrrole called OHHPL (hydroxyhemoppyrrolin-2-one).
The common clinical symptoms in patients with pyrrole disorder are anxiety (fear); poor stress tolerance; sensory hypersensitivity to light, sound, smell and/or touch; mood and emotional lability; social anxiety and/or withdrawal; poor dream recall; and commonly, explosive temper and aggression. Clinical signs are pale skin (china doll appearance), stretch marks, and white spots on the nails due to the commonly concomitant zinc deficiency. An adverse reaction to omega-3 fish oil can be an important piece of the past medical history raising clinical suspicion for the presence of pyrrole disorder.

Irritability

Sleep Disturbance

Copy of MTHFR C677T gene variant

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Biomedical Visit

On August 8th, we drove to Integrative Pediatrics of Ohio.  This has been the most encouraging visit we have had in a long time.  They are doing tons of bloodwork, urine, and an x-ray of Mia's bowels.  We currently only have the x-ray results, and they found many significant blockages in her intestional track...so we are getting ready to do a 7 day cleanse to try and get all of that out of her system.  They think she may have Pyrolle Disorder.  They are checking for many other things in her blood work as well.  Will update as we get results.