The Hygiene Hypothesis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Hygiene Hypothesis - Essay Example fungi, bacteria, viruses and parasitic microbes) and allergens hinders the normal development of a natural immunity. Consequently, this condition makes an individual to be vulnerable to infectious diseases and allergies. The hypothesis has been put forward as an explanation to the occurrence of many preventable diseases and allergic infections. The following is an analysis seeking to establish accuracy of the hypothesis with the use of a context that features several case studies in the world and the relevant deductions. Accordingly, it is important to note that the immune system develops from repeated attempts to keep off disease from the low level of pathogens found in a normal environment; as such, when the germs invade the body in life threatening amounts, the immune system successfully wards them off. The need for this exposure in developed nations some decades back saw to larger families than today. This is because parents believed that the elder child would expose the younger one(s) to pathogens, hence harden their immunity (Ascherio &Munge, 2007). It has also been observed that children who are taken to baby care institutions are less susceptible to allergies and immune diseases. The research has indicated that, children who had earlier been exposed to measles or hepatitis A are also quite resistant to allergies. Autoimmune diseases are those that the body should be able to naturally protect itself from, as per the hygiene hypothesis. Such include acute lymphoblastic leukemia affecting young people in the developed world. This is a region where young children are less likely to be exposed, and thereby develop the needed immunity. Unconfirmed evidence also links the hypothesis indirectly to autism, suggesting that an immune disease causes it (Lang, et al. 2010). However, extensive research shows that the hypothesis is of more significance to allergies than to immune diseases (Christensen, 2010). Some of the common allergens, i.e. substances that cause al lergic attacks, include pollen, dust, hay, household chemicals, synthetic material, pet fur, some foods and some food preservatives. When these come into contact with the body of the allergic person, his/ her system activates the white blood cells in response to the foreign negative stimulus. (These cells normally help us to fight disease-causing microorganisms). Once released, the white blood cells cause an inflammatory reaction (Christensen, 2010). This reaction is exhibited in various ways e.g. itching, swelling, coughing, asthma, sneezing, running nose, tears etc. Asthma is a chronic condition in which the victim, when exposed to allergens, is unable breathe due to blockage of air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. If no medical attention is availed, patient may collapse or even die. Drugs and inhalers are normally used to control the situation (Christensen, 2010). However, not all scientists concur with the hygiene hypothesis as there is an antithesis to this which is the exposure th eory. The exposure theory suggests that the higher the level of exposure to allergens, the more the possibility for allergies incidence. This theory is based on an observation that people living in urban areas have a higher percentage of allergies than their rural counterparts, and they are more prevalent in the developed than the developing world. Modern day people are more allergic as compared to people who lived some centuries back. While this appears at a glance to be true, large portions of the global population prove otherwise, hence the need for a more comprehensive and convincing explanation (Antony et al., 2006). On the other hand, some scholars support the hygiene hypothesis. A health researcher based in Germany, Dr. Erika Von Mutius investigated the

Family Law in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Family Law in America - Essay Example In this paper, the case involving Eric and Cindy epitomizes a case whereby spouses are in total agreement until they decide to divorce. Both parties share responsibilities at their home and prior to their marriage, they had signed a prenuptial agreement. The wife disclosed much of her assets and the husband agreed to share the responsibilities at home. Nonetheless, since they have agreed to file a divorce and their case is an uncontested divorce, it looks simple. However, the challenge is that there is no clarity as to whether they have agreed on property division, child custody, and support issues. Since they have agreed to part ways, one of the spouses hires an attorney to prepare the obligatory paperwork. In this case, the wife will only be required to read and sign both the waiver and the final decree. Ethically, it is not possible to represent two parties in a divorce when there is a conflict of interest. If one attorney tries to represent the husband and the wife, in this case, he or she may face some problems. If the attorney takes a side and informs one party that the deal would make it possible for him or her to gain financially, it might anger one party. If the attorney manipulates any party to decide otherwise, the case is considered unethical. In fact, one attorney cannot represent two parties with conflict of interest. Getting an annulment is out of questions because it is a court order that a marriage never existed. Annulment could only be granted if the spouse was already married to someone else. Annulments are very rare. In this case, there is no such a case whereby the husband is claimed to have been married to someone else. However, the case indicates that the wife had mental issues, but still the issues never avoided her from agreeing to marry. She was not forced to marry, they all agreed. Annulment, in this case, is not appropriate because after realizing that the wife had mental problems, the husband was willing to continue with the married out of love.