The hygiene hypothesis is a theory that says children in developed countries may be more susceptible to allergic diseases because of a lack of exposure to certain infectious agents, which has caused a problem with the natural development of the immune systems. The theory has been used to explain a wide number of medical trends, including the fact that people in developed nations suffer from more allergies, have widespread autoimmune diseases, and have a problem with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in young people.
One of the first people to propose the theory was David P. Strachan in an article published in the British Medical Journal in 1989. Since that time, the theory has been heavily investigated in the study of allergic disorders. It has expanded to suggest that human exposure to bacteria is important for immune system development. The hypothesis argues that people who have better hygiene and effective medical care may have impaired regulatory T-cells. One publication has even speculated that the hygiene hypothesis could be responsible for autism.
The research is interesting, but the theory is far from being accepted by the medical community. It is also far from presenting a potential solution to the problem because kids absolutely need immunization and good hygiene. Some other potential causes for the outbreak of allergies in developed countries include infant feeding (formula), overexposure to allergens, and exposure to pollutants. --
http://listverse.com/2Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=76525.0
Topic: Hygiene Hypothesis (Read 373 times)