| Ilena Rose 2005-08-19, 9:01 am |
| http://allergies.about.com/cs/mcs/a/aa012599.htm
You are here:About>Health & Fitness>Allergies
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS): The Afflicted
From Judy Tidwell,Your Guide to Allergies.
People With Allergies Are More Susceptible to Chemicals
Those who are afflicted with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)
suffer from a multitude of ailments, that have very real consequences.
MCS is a worldwide illness that can affect anyone, and most who suffer
from this disorder were healthy before becoming ill. Some believe that
children, the elderly, and people with allergic illnesses seem to be
more susceptible to chemicals than the average person. Some people can
be genetically susceptible also.
More women than men are affected by this illness. It is believed that
since men produce Testosterone, it often covers up the symptoms and
warning signs until it is too late. Women produce Estrogen which does
not cover up the symptoms.
There is also the theory that because women use more toxic products
from cosmetics to household cleaners than men, they are more
susceptible.
Those most likely to be associated with MCS are industrial workers,
"sick building" occupants, those living in chemically contaminated
communities, Gulf War veterans, and women with silicone breast
implants.
Half of those with MCS also suffer with traditional (IgE) allergies,
in other words, they can also be susceptible to food, mold, or dust
allergies.
Causes & Triggers
Clinical Ecologists believe that repeated small exposures or one large
high exposure to chemical agents over time can lead to the body losing
its ability to detox. This can sensitize people and cause their immune
systems to malfunction. Once the body's ability to process toxins is
damaged, the person may be more susceptible to chemicals that never
caused a problem before.
The body's detox processes can be impaired by other means besides
chemical agents. Some other causes of MCS include viruses, severe
emotional or physical trauma (especially in childhood), liver damage,
or metabolism disorders. Some people with MCS may have a genetic
disorder of the enzyme pathways (porphyria), which may not manifest
until triggered by a chemical exposure.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity can be triggered by a multitude of
chemicals. Mostly petrochemicals, they can be found in pesticides,
herbicides, perfumes, fragrances, paints, wood treatments, glues,
carpets, furniture, shampoo, soap, detergents, cleaners, plastics,
solvents, markers, raw fuels, engine exhaust, alcohol, medications,
caffeine and food additives to name a few. Pollution can also play a
part in this disorder.
Symptoms
The symptoms of MCS can be similar to those of traditional allergies,
such as headaches, migraines, dizziness, nausea, anaphylactic shock,
breathing difficulty, rashes and other skin eruptions. Of course,
there can be other symptoms such as acute abdominal pain, prolonged
fatigue, insomnia, neurological signs, loss of concentration, memory
loss, body aches and pains, and even progressive coordination
impairment. Keep in mind this is not an all inclusive list.
Treatment
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is difficult for physicians to diagnose
because there is no single set of symptoms which fit together as a
syndrome. There is also not one diagnostic test that will detect every
manifestation of the disorder.
Physicians must become detectives to sort out a patient's medical
history and pay attention to the patient's environmental or
occupational exposures in order to correctly diagnose MCS.
As with allergies, avoidance is the key in treating MCS. As with its
symptoms, treatment varies with the individual afflicted.
It may be helpful to use an air purifying system. The American
Environmental Health Foundation suggests the food you eat, and the
personal care products you use may contain offensive chemicals. Be
careful what you purchase and read the labels.
For additional information on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, please
refer to the collected Internet links.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more on other dangers of breast implants, please visit:
www.BreastImplantAwareness.org
|