Iridology

Years ago when I worked for a health food store my co-worker friend was into iridology. It was a fun game when work got boring we'd look into each other's eyes to determine how unhealthy we truly were. 

The only thing I remember from that experience was she kept telling me I needed a colon cleanse. It just made me giggle. It seems if there is a muddy-colored ring around your pupil, your colon is congested. Here is the chart from the iridology master Dr. Bernard Jensen:

See the colon squiggle around the pupil?

You can find an updated, color chart for purchase HERE  or a Pinterest reference HERE  or just search "iridology chart Jensen" and a variety of chart styles will appear.

According to Wikipedia, iridology is an alternative medicine technique whose proponents claim that patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine information about a patient's systemic health. Practitioners match their observations to iris charts, which divide the iris into zones that correspond to specific parts of the human body. Iridologists see the eyes as "windows" into the body's state of health.

Years later I worked for an outstanding old-school naturopath, he used to walk up to us, poke our livers, look at our hands, and into our eyes. I called them "party tricks", but he could tell exactly how we were feeling that day or what we needed to do to feel better.

It's been years since I've given any thought to iridology and the other day on a whim I wondered how my eyes were doing. I have vague memories of dark spots (bad things!) in the bottom section of my iris, and of course, my congested colon. So I put on my glasses and with flashlight in hand I flipped on the bathroom light and peered wide-eyed into the mirror. Hmmm...my colon is no longer congested. Probably all that healthy food I eat. One dark, rust-colored dot. I ran to the computer, found Jensen's chart, and looked for the area around two o'clock in the iris of my right eye (it's all backwards on the charts if looking in the mirror)....

THYROID! Go figure. Even though I've been feeling great, there is definitely something wrong with my thyroid! But only in my right eye. Left eye is fine.

Interesting...

Unfortunately I don't know enough about iridology. Does this mean the thyroid gland on my right side the only one having problems?  Also, there is much more to it than reading dark dots as the texture, color and patterns indicate various health issues as well. It would be fascinating to study. I wonder if people can make a living being an iridologist? The sclera (white of the eye) and all it's blood vessels also holds secrets to your systemic health, but that's way out of my knowledge base.

I tried taking a photo of my eye but I couldn't get it in focus nor without the shadow caused by the camera. The results made me laugh until I had tears running down my cheeks:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Quack, Quack, Quack: Guide to Doctors

The American Medical Association (AMA) doesn't have a clue so stay away from conventional doctors who exist by prescribing chemicals as medical treatments. It would be a conflict of interest for them to diagnose a health problem associated with chemicals.  They don't acknowledge MCS, although you may find one who thinks out of the box but he or she will be at a loss for what to do with you. They will send you off to a "specialist" within the AMA club, usually an allergist who will clearly tell you "chemicals aren't allergens" and hope you will go away quietly. The End.

Or perhaps they will recommend a psychologist? Granted, at this point you might think, "Well, I do need help dealing with the ramifications of my chemical sensitivity," and you might see some value in getting some kind of counseling.  Still, my advice, don't waste your time or money. They will make you feel worse about yourself and charge you for it. However, there might be a counselor who has been diagnosed with MCS and would have first-hand experience what you are going through? I don't know that I'd go back to your primary care doctor either because he/she obviously thinks you are mentally ill!  Oops.

The specialists who may be able to understand and help fall into two categories:

Environmental Medicine Specialists. These doctors are often associated with the AMA although trained to understand environmental health issues. Many of them are limited to treating work-related chemical exposures and don't understand how common household chemicals or beauty aids could cause anyone suffering. One of the first environmental specialists I was sent to pulled me aside in the hallway after months of testing and said in a whisper, "It's obvious perfumes are affecting your ability to breathe, but I can't acknowledge that or the AMA would come down on me." This doctor was actually more open-minded than most, but still obviously subservient to the AMA.

The most valuable Environmental Medicine Specialists are associated with the American Academy of Environmental Medicine  www.AAEM.com , however, I've seen several of the doctors on the AAEM physician lists - some are good, some are useless.  They all seem to have their own agendas...and drive their own Mercedes. Specialists aren't cheap.

Naturopaths: These doctors often understand environmental issues and have training in dietary counseling and detoxing programs which may or may not be helpful with each person's individual needs. Again, some are good; most are useless. It all depends on their training, belief systems and experience.

Unfortunately, our current health care system doesn't normally allow patients to interview doctors prior to appointments so researching doctor background information is a struggle. We are required to pay for information. No freebies. Some offices will allow you to email questions, but few will be answered in detail. Time is money. With so many medical websites and consumer reporting, you might be able to find online information on doctors. Post a question on a MCS support group. When you finally make contact with a doctor, interview them. You may have to wait until the first appointment which can cost up to $500. Ask where were they trained? How will they diagnose you? What tests are accessible to them? What are their favorite treatments or protocols for avoidance, detox and dietary counseling? Success rates?

Success rates? Always keep in mind, there is no cure for MCS and if you keep this in mind you'll save a lot of money by not chasing dreams. Don't fall into compliancy of believing a doctor's enthusiasm and giving him your life savings to practice his/her favorite treatments. There is a reason it's called a "practice." Hope is intoxicating...and expensive. Until there is more research, the best we can hope for is various ways we can alleviate the toxic load in our bodies in order to create a more comfortable existence. Also, a diagnosis of "multiple chemical sensitivity" goes a long way toward accommodation requests and disability claims.

 Have you found a wonderful doctor? Please let us know his/her name, location and what makes them a keeper.