Symptoms as Defenses II
We continue Symptoms as Defenses with the fact that recent research has shown that fevers represent an effort of the organism to try to heal itself. Fever usually accompanies bacterial or viral infection. Physiologist Matthew Kluger and his associates at the University of Michigan Medical School have shown that the body prepares itself to resist infection by creating a fever; it is then more able to produce interferon (an anti-viral substance). Fever also increases white blood cell mobility and activity, instrumental factors in fighting infection. (1)
If fevers are now becoming recognized as adaptive defenses of the body, it is understandable why suppressing them with aspirin is gradually being discouraged. Using this drug on children with flu or chicken pox is particularly counterproductive, since it also puts them at risk of contracting Reyes Syndrome (a potentially fatal neurological condition).
Modern medical science is recognizing more and more symptoms as adaptive responses of the body. For instance, standard pathology texts define the process of inflammation as the manner in which the body seeks to wall off, heat up, and burn out infective agents or foreign matter. (2) The cough has long been known as a protective mechanism for clearing breathing passages. Diarrhea has been shown to be a defensive effort of the body to remove pathogens or irritants more quickly from the colon. (3) Discharges are understood as the body’s way of ridding itself of mucus, dead bacteria, viruses, and cells.
The implications of recognizing that symptoms are efforts of the body to defend itself are significant. Many conventional drugs are specifically prescribed to control or suppress symptoms. As the result of this action, these drugs may well inhibit the body’s defense and immune processes. Such drugs should be avoided, except in special circumstances.
Continued with Symptoms as Defenses III.
Beste Gesundheit,
Werner
1. Kluger M. Fever. Pediatrics, 66 (November 1980):720-724
1. Fever: Effect of Drug-Induced Antipyresis on Survival. Science, 193 (July 16, 1976) pp. 237-239
1. Fever and Survival. Science, 188 (April 11, 1975): pp166-168
2. Boyd W. An Introduction to the Study of Disease. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1972) pp.95-110
3.DuPont H., Hornick R. The Adverse Effect of Lomotil Therapy in Shigellosis. JAMA, 226 (December 24, 1971): 1525-28