Treatment of Environmental Illness

NOTE: I am a patient, not a health provider, this information is my own opinion, and can in no way replace the advice of a competent health provider and your own self education. Like in all things, use your own best judgment.

Environmental illnesses have the big problem that they are so varied, it can be a hidden allergy to a single thing, or life-threatening reactions to many things, and everything in between. The problem substances and their effect varies from person to person, and also over time. There is thus no cookbook diagnosis and treatment available in many cases. Herein lies the main obstacle to the acceptance of the more severe versions of this disease by the medical profession, the insurance companies and society.

What works for one person, may not work for another. Thus, many EI's spend years trying the various techniques and doctors. It appears that once past a certain point, one never become completely free of it, but with appropriate treatment, and prudent lifestyle, can live a normal life.

picture of a lot of pills

The problem with drugs

Drugs may be fine for seasonal allergies, but they can only give temporary relief. Allergy symptoms are like the warning lights on your cars dash board, drugs simply turn off that warning light. They do not treat the problem. Eating pills every day of the year will not do you any good. They eventually stop working, and long term use is bad for your kidneys and other organs. Meanwhile, your allergies may become much worse while untreated.

If there is only one thing you retain from looking at this page, let it be that drugs are not a solution, only a way go get you through the rough spots.

Finding the right health provider and the right set of treatments, is crucial for success.

The Allergist

If all you have is mild asthma or pollen allergies, you may be fine using an allergist, there are plenty of those available (I have seen three, before I gave up on them). You are likely to find one locally, who is part of your medical plan. Unfortunately, allergists are not the right specialty if you have deeper problems. Their methods have not changed substantially for several decades, while the world has. For a more competent allergist, find one who is board certified.

The allergists basically have two methods:

  • Drugs
  • Allergy shots

They have plenty of drugs to choose from, and will likely let you try some of them. New allergy drugs come to market regularly, and some are again removed when they find out they are dangerous. I used one myself for two years, until it was taken off the market, as they found it could cause liver damage...

The other method is allergy shots. They will do a simple skin test of a variety of common allergens by injecting a drop of it right under the skin. If it wheals up, there is proof of a reaction. The allergist may then prescribe a weekly injection of a standard extract, which will teach the body that this substance is benign. This works in many cases, sometimes within a few months. Other times it takes a year for an effect. If you see no benefit after a year, consider trying something else, or at least try another allergist.

Environmental Doctors

If your problems go beyond molds, pollen and dust, i.e. you have problems with foods, carpets, detergents, car exhaust, perfumes or such, consider going to the next level. You may find that allergist do not seem to be concerned with those issues, as that is outside their standard treatments.

Doctors who practice environmental medicine have an MD or DO degree and additional training organized by their organization:

American Academy of Environmental Medicine
7701 East Kellogg, Ste. 625
Wichita, KS  67207-1705
PH: 316.684.5550
FAX: 316.684.5709
www.aaem.com

Their website has a search function of their members, there are not as many in this specialty, so there man not be one in your area.

If the local options do not work out, you can consider traveling to a doctor outside your area. Some medical centers have programs for traveling patients. The largest and best known EI clinic is the EHC-D in Dallas, Texas. I have been there myself.

The Environmental doctor is more holistic in the approach, and will spend more time talking with you up front to get a better picture. Their standard methods are in a nutshell:

  • Allergy shots
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Avoidance
  • Detoxing

The allergy shots are similar to those given by an allergist, but they are customized to the patient, and thus safer and better working. It takes a lot longer to test for various allergens, both because of their detailed method, and also because they test for more allergens, especially foods. Many people are allergic to foods without knowing it.

The doctor may also suggest some vitamins and minerals to take, today's processed foods are low on many crucial vitamins and minerals, so most people are actually suffering malnutrition. Tests are often used to determine what is needed.

The best approach to allergens is to avoid them, bar none. If you are very allergic to something, shots do not help if you keep exposing yourself to it. This could mean getting rid of the pet, stop eating certain foods, cover the mattress in a dust shield, or a range of other things. Some of us have to go to rather extreme measures in order to get well.

The doctor may also suggest doing detoxing, to get rid of some of those chemicals that may be stored in your body's fatty tissues and is a burden on the body's immune system. There are a variety of methods to do detoxing.

If you go to a larger facility, the treatment options are much greater. See the story about Dallas EHC-D.

These doctors encourage patients to be well informed, the best book I have seen is "An Alternative Approach to Allergies" by Theron Randolph, MD. See also booklist.

Other doctors

You might not find any member doctor in your area, so you could try asking around for a holistic doctor. Ideally, get one that is experienced in a variety of treatments, such as acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, etc. Many holistic doctors rely on word-of-mouth for their patients, so ask around. I have heard of some patients who have had luck there. I have tried two alternative health providers myself, and not had luck, but gained an appreciation for their methods, which worked for other things.

Other treatments

Here are some links to other types of treatments I have heard about as being helpful to some patients, in particular the NAET gets good reviews. I have not tried them myself yet.
  • NAET - An allergy elimination technique that builds on acupuncture.
  • Sunrider - A system of Chinese herbal foods, including a detoxing compund called "Calli". This is a multilevel marketing system.
  • Body Electric - Several sites, search for them. Another herbal system, that is also a multilevel marketing system.

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