Clinical ecology and its role in diagnosis of chronic diseases caused by environmental pollution. Indoor air pollution as a major factor.

ABSTRACT

The author discusses the four basic principles of clinical ecology, which include total load, such as exposure to chemicals, effects of physical factors (cold, heat, positive ions, radiation), exposure to bacteria, viruses and fungi, effects of consumed foods and psychological stress. Adaptation is discussed in detail as it pertains to chronic degenerative disease and chemical sensitivity. Lack of understanding of adaptive phenomena leads contemporary physicians to prescribe drugs instead of finding and eliminating the cause of disease to alleviate suffering. Body response to environmental stimuli during adaptive processes is biphasic in nature and is characterized by stimulatory and withdrawal reactions. Symptoms developed during these phases are described in detail. Effects of foods and chemicals on patients' health should be examined and considered before excluding in favour of idiopathic, mental or psychosomatic disturbances. In order to understand the variety of symptoms and signs developed during the process of degenerative disease one has to accept and apply the concept of biological individuality. Each patient should be assessed and dealt with carefully since each represents a unique clinical picture. The author further on discusses indoor air pollution, its causes and effects on health. Particular emphasis is placed on the indoor use of pesticides in the Canadian setting. Four groups of population have been defined as the result of exposure to chemicals and are discussed in brief. The author concludes with a comparison of traditional and environmental medicine in respect to history taking, the stage at which disease is diagnosed, the patient's viewpoint, specialization and therapies.