Chelation therapy is considered a treatment process, and here an agent is provided for hunting the body for heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and aluminium. Autism is believed to affect children who are exposed to higher levels of heavy metals. This article discusses about the consideration of chelation therapy for autism.
Chelation Therapy for Autism
Many people felt that one of the tracks which lead a child towards developing the signs of autism is exposure to toxins like heavy metals during their development. There are some children who might be genetically predisposed to a lessened capability to detoxify and children can undergo neurological damage when they are exposed to higher levels of heavy metals.
However, in this context, an interesting observation has been made by numerous physicians who are well versed in biological treatments in the last fifteen years. It is noticed that there has been a remarkable reduction of lead and mercury in children’s urine who are suffering from autism after having a dosage of chelation therapy. Probable explanations for the lessening of mercury includes the step to move away from mercury comprising thermometers, mindfulness of mercury in fish and the elimination of mercury from the tedious vaccines which are provided to children. This also forms the grounds for chelation therapy for autism.
In the year 2001, the ARI (Autism Research Institute) appointed the text of a consensus paper which primarily debated the utilization of DMSA for treating mercury. Again, in the year 2005, Autism Research Institute commissioned a rationalized consensus paper. It says that dosing regimens for both treatment and testing of heavy metals along with CaNa2 EDTA, DMPS, and DMSA are being discussed in the paper of 2005, whereas the actual 2001 paper contained more regarding supporting supplements which are needed to be used as a portion of the general treatment plan. As chelation therapy turned out to be a chief treatment to lessen the signs of autism, it has maintained to score the top as per the parents ratings obtained by ARI.
Though many experts suggest chelation therapy in the form of a vigorous treatment when a heavy metal level is excessively high in the blood, the main aim remains to minimize the exposure by recognizing the source. So, it can be concluded that there isn’t any safe amount of lead or mercury in the person’s body and all the efforts ought to minimize exposure and remove these toxins fast.
Even while performing biopsies of a child’s liver, bone, brain, etc. there isn’t an ideal process to recognize the existence of heavy metals. When a blood test is positive, there is definitely one way; but when the blood test is negative then the tested metal isn’t present in the blood. This doesn’t say anything regarding its existence in the organs. This does not make it clear the ways to measure overexposure of children to heavy metals and its effect on the organs.
When considering chelation therapy for autism, it is important to make note of certain things. An interesting observation which was made by doctors who do work with children who are undergoing chelation is that there isn’t a single chelating agent or a path of administration which is superior. A patient might exhibit the most excretion with the help of DMPS, whereas the next individual will excrete more with CaNa2 EDTA or DMSA. Moreover, an individual might excrete more metal by using oral chelation and another person might excrete making use of more suppositories, even after utilizing the same agent and a similar dose. Most often, a series of challenges get performed with various routes and agents and the one which gets selected for ongoing detoxification therapy happens to be the one which fetches the most metal excretion and that too with the least or sometimes, no side effects.
When chelation therapy is being practiced, a majority of physicians would get treatment for nearly 2-3 months before repeating the challenge test to observe how much residual metal exists. Grounded on this follow-up examination, the treatment protocol gets changed. Most skilled treating physicians do set it as a goal for getting the urinary excretion to the center of the satisfactory reference range which is established by the laboratory.
How Far Chelation Therapy is Effective for Autism?
Few parents and doctors consider chelation therapy as a form of potential autism treatment. Hence, it is important to understand about the need and safety of using chelation therapy for autism. Chelation therapy isn’t an effectual autism treatment, and it can turn out to be dangerous. Supporters hold this view that autism is the result of mercury exposure, like from childhood vaccines. This therapy removes mercury from the person’s body which, according to the supporters of chelation therapy, cures autism. However, there is lack of proof of a connection between autism and mercury exposure. Additionally, chelation therapy can get linked with severe side effects, like kidney damage.
The theory of introduction to environmental toxic agents, like lead, mercury and many other toxins, and their association to autism spectrum disorder happens to be a complication. Hence, the quality of studies does differ considerably. Due to variables, like genetic factors, geography, sampling sources, and metabolism differences in people, the studies have shown conflicting outcomes with no reproducible evidence.
Actually, there isn’t any cure for autism, which is now recognized as autism spectrum disorder in the latest DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) which has been published by the American Psychiatric Association. Due to this, numerous unproven substitute therapies are habitually recommended. Nonetheless, these substitute therapies are generally discovered to be not only ineffective but also harmful at times. This suggests a word of caution for chelation therapy for autism.
When you are considering a treatment method for autism spectrum disorder, then it is vital to have a consultation with your primary physician. Your physician might aid you in identifying local resources and treatment options which would propose support or it can refer you to some health professional who is capable of doing so. It is important to discuss the benefits and side effects of chelation therapy for autism, before planning the treatment.
Conclusion
Serious worry ought to arise regarding the ongoing utilization of chelation therapy for autism in children and particularly, when the treatment has side effects too. It is reported that it can lead to death as well due to wrong administration. Thus, it can be concluded that chelation therapy for autism can have side effects and must be considered only after medical advice. Behavior therapy, remedial education and rehabilitation work better for children with autism.
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