New article provides thought-provoking view on the rise of allergy, autoimmune diseases
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February 17, 2017 at 8:19 AM
This new feature article by Megan Scudellari is a well-researched, thought provoking view on the rise of allergy and autoimmune diseases and shows how, if looked at objectively, it’s obviously due to “much more than rampant cleanliness”. She also reflects on whether it is possible to abandon the term hygiene hypothesis and thereby detach the concept from its association with “hygiene” as the public understands it.
Megan traces the issue from the original “hygiene hypothesis,” proposal – the idea that the surge in autoimmune and allergic disorders and simultaneous sharp decline in mumps, measles, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases in developed countries were connected in some way. Looked at more closely, however, the hypothesis immediately began to show cracks. Measles and many respiratory diseases proved not to be protective against allergic disease, and may even increase the risk. The proposed biological mechanism also failed to hold up
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20170217/New-article-provides-thought-provoking-view-on-the-rise-of-allergy-autoimmune-diseases.aspx
