Spirituality and Immunity - Page 2

Another example of spiritual dis-ease adversely effecting immune function centers around the increasing complexities of life. Teilhard deChardin brilliantly discussed the evolution of human consciousness and complexity. ⁽⁵⁾ Trouble with our spiritual energy begins when the complexities of daily life exceed and overwhelm our consciousness. The daily routine of television, video games, internet surfing, cell phones, rapid transportation are among the long list of life's complexities which serve to neutralize consciousness energy and depersonalize us. Our identities can diffuse into these entrapments and get lost. We become restless. We want more and more from life's complexities and never reach satiation. The complexities become our identity. Couple this stressor with the seemingly ever increasing amount of life's headaches and heartaches and our inner fire drowns.

These are just a couple of sources of interference to the spiritual development and maturation of ours kids. Like it or not we have to accept that all children have a spirituality. The development and maturation of this spirituality occurs in congruity with immunological development and maturation. Spiritual interference and dis-ease begets neurological as well as immunological dis-ease. Spiritual energy translates in the body as chemical changes. Stressful experiences, dis-eased spiritual energy etc. translate into increased blood levels of catecholamines, cortisol, inhibitory neurotransmitters etc.

Let us take a quick look at some of the recent advances in our understanding of the role of these stress chemicals on immune function. Th1 (thymus derived 1) cells, which are responsible for cell mediated immune functions are the major cells of the immune response selectively suppressed by stress chemicals, especially the catecholamines (6.) We appreciate the role of these cells in individuals struggling with HIV infection and AIDS. These individuals loose cell mediated immune functions and are susceptible to a multitude of viral, fungal and parasitic infections. They are also more prone to cancers and autoimmune disorders.

The Th1 cells are also selectively suppressed by vaccines. Stress and the resulting high catecholamine levels will diminish local inflammatory responses ⁽⁷⁾, and invite infection with gram positive bacteria such as staphylococci, streptococci, and pneumococci due to neutrophil inhibition ⁽⁸⁾ Healing responses required approximately nine more days in stressed individuals ⁽⁹⁾. The catecholamines of stress also decrease intercellular communication ⁽¹⁰⁾, and diminish foreign protein processing cells from doing their jobs ⁽¹¹⁾. All of the body's lines of defense are compromised by the presence of these stress chemicals. Interference at all levels of immune function can then feedback and induce interference at the neurologic and psychologic levels. The psychoneuroimmunologic (PNI) concept works bidirectionally. The "P" affects "I" and vice versa. When interference presents itself, a downward spiral in all body functions ensues and disease results.

We emphasize to our patients and parents the importance of proper rest, nutrition, exercise and a body free of nerve interference to achieve health and wellness. We can no longer deny or ignore the role of spirituality in this process.


References available on line at:
www.icpa4kids.com/nesletter/references.html

May June 2002

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