Thanks to Janna on asbi for these very informative artices.
MCS if very REAL.
Jan
http://accessnewage.com/articles/health/chemical.htm
Chemical Sensitivity
It's a Serious Problem More Often Than You Think!!!
by Adrienne Buffaloe, MD
The source of the problem
There are over 70,000 chemicals commercially produced in the United States
today. many of which were developed after World War II. The long-term, low
dose effects of many of these chemicals have never been investigated. In
fact, the term "low dose" is misleading, implying low concentrations are
harmless. But many chemicals are harmful in very low doses, like the
herbicide 2,4, 5-T which is harmful in parts-per-trillion. Unless generated
by the body (formaldehyde, pentane), the body's level for chemicals should
be non-detectable, and not "low level".
With the energy conservation efforts of the 1980's came the construction of
closed buildings. The inability to circulate fresh air coupled with the rise
in toxic construction materials and an increase in the use of office
machines has created an indoor air pollution problem that exceeds outdoor
air pollution. In fact, only approximately 40% of indoor chemicals come from
outdoors. Sixty percent of indoor chemicals are generated by products or
machines used indoors.
The workplace is a site for chemical toxicity. Closed buildings present
their own problems, and each profession additionally contributes specific
chemical exposures. With the down-sizing of many businesses and the movement
of workers from the office to their respective homes, the home must also be
evaluated as a source of occupational chemical exposure. And because the
"work" of childhood is to become educated, schools with their multiple
chemicals (asbestos, chalk, paints, solvents, commercial cleaning products,
etc.) are a source for substantial chemical toxicity, not only for children
but also for teachers, secretaries, janitors, and other school employees.
Who's at risk?
The exact number of persons suffering from chemical sensitivity is unclear,
but the rise in asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, Attention Deficit
Disorder, and second-hand smoke lung disease are all examples of this
illness. A study of 24,000 students at Northern Texas University revealed 25
normals for chemical toxicity (0.1%). The ratio of females to males
presenting for medical treatment is 7:1. Males more typically present with
advanced disease.
What are the signs of chemical sensitivity?
Chemicals Sensitivity is defined as an adverse reaction(s) to ambient doses
of toxic chemicals contained in air, food, and water. Both inorganic
compounds (carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, heavy metals, etc.) and organic
compounds (pesticides, formaldehyde, phenol, etc.) are involved. The
suffering patient usually presents with multi-system complaints depending on
the tissues or organs involved, the pharmacological nature of the exposure,
the susceptibility of the exposed person, and the presence of other body
stressors.
Central nervous system dysfunction is common, resulting in headache, chronic
fatigue, poor short term memory, hyperactivity, and increased appetite
leading to food cravings and overeating. Respiratory complaints include
adult onset "asthma", shortness of breath, and fibrotic lung disease. Heart
palpitations and dysrhythmias herald severe cardiac dysfunction. Abdominal
bloating, constipation, and multiple food intolerances signal
gastrointestinal involvement. Often Raynaud's-type vascular constriction
resulting in cold hands and feet, easy bruising, or phlebitis signal
chemically- induced peripheral vascular disease. Arthritis and myalgias
indicate musculoskeletal involvement. Recurrent, sterile urinary tract
inflammation, auto-immune endocrine involvement, and peripheral nerve
weakness, paresthesias, and sensory deficits are also found. In fact, the
hallmark of chemical sensitivity is that patients present with multisystem
disease. This is because, once the chemicals enter the body, they enter the
bloodstream and circulate to all parts of the body, even the brain.
Two important phenomena to understand are "spreading" and "switching."
Spreading occurs when additional organ systems are involved, or when a
patient additionally becomes sensitive to inhalants, foods, dust, animal
danders, or other environmental exposures. Switching occurs when the same
exposure produces entirely different organ involvement (i.e. photocopier
fumes initially caused headache, and subsequently caused no headache but
wheezing).
The main mechanism for chemical sensitivity is the failure of the body's
enzyme detoxification pathways to adequately clear chemical compounds. Both
immune and non-immune processes have been involved. Chemical sensitivity can
develop after a massive chemical exposure (i.e. Bhopal), after specific
non-chemical events (massive trauma, childbirth, surgery), after severe
infections (viral, bacterial, parasitic) or with no identifiable cause (60%
in one large study). Approximately 28% of patients diagnosed with chemical
sensitivity have employment-related exposures.
Because most of the toxic chemicals involved are lipophyllic (fat soluble),
they become stored in the body's fat, resistant to metabolism and excretion.
In fact, the chemical levels measured from fat biopsies are sometimes 300
times greater than the circulating serum levels.
How can I tell if I am sensitive to chemicals?
The diagnosis of chemical sensitivity is achieved by taking a thorough
patient history including occupational, home, and environmental exposures,
diet, medications, and personal care items. The timing of symptoms to
exposure, reproducibility of the symptoms, spreading, and switching must all
be investigated. Serum levels of suspected chemicals confirm the diagnosis.
If serum levels are negative and suspicion is high, a fat biopsy must be
performed and often cinches the diagnosis. Additionally, chemical challenge
tests can demonstrate the cause-and-effect relationship between a chemical
exposure and symptoms. A brain SPECT scan calibrated for chemical
sensitivity can demonstrate classic patterns of cerebral bloodflow and brain
neuron function aberrations.
Evaluation of end-organ disease is accomplished through pulmonary function
tests, chest x-rays, liver function tests, thyroid function tests with
antibodies, adrenal evaluation with antibodies, urinalysis, blood chemistry,
endoscopy, cystoscopy, etc. depending on the symptoms involved.
Is there any treatment for chemical sensitivity?
Avoidance of the harmful chemicals is the first step in treatment. Removal
eliminates the exposure. Face masks and air filters can minimize exposures
when total removal is not possible (i.e. car fumes on the street). However,
total removal should be accomplished whenever possible.
To maximize a patient's liver detoxification pathways, selected nutrients
which are co-factors of liver Phase II detoxification pathways are
administered. To decrease the fat stores of chemicals, a heat detoxification
program has been developed consisting of selected nutrients, exercise, heat
therapy, and massage. The protocol of nutrients, exercise, and heat therapy
can often reduce the serum levels of the chemicals to "non-detectable."
Because of the spreading phenomenon, sensitivity to molds, grasses, trees,
weeds, foods, dust, and other environmental factors must also be determined.
Avoidance and/or desensitization for these factors is the treatment of
choice.
So what's the prognosis, Doc?
The prognosis depends on how early in the disease process the diagnosis is
made and treatment is started. Early diagnosis and treatment yields an
excellent prognosis. Although the patient usually remains chemically
sensitive, symptoms can be controlled. Late diagnosis and treatment often
results in irreversible, fixed, end-organ disease and progressive spreading
and switching. The goal is to make the diagnosis and to initiate treatment
as soon as symptoms develop.
Summary
Chemicals are pervasive in our environment, and constant exposure to low
levels can cause multi-system dysfunction. Good diagnostic modalities are
now available to detect chemical toxicity. Treatment consists of avoidance
of toxic chemicals, augmenting liver pathways to excrete chemicals, and a
heat treatment protocol that mobilizes chemicals from the fat deposits in
the body where chemicals often get stored.
References
American Academy of Environmental Medicine, 4510 West 89th Street-Suite 110,
Prairie Village, Kansas 66207.
Braunwald E, et al Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 11th Edition ,
New York: McGraw Hill Book Company, 1987, pp 1313-14.
Environmental Health Perspectives, National Institutes of Health: National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Washington, DC: United States
Printing Office.
Randolph, TG. Human Ecology and Susceptibility to the Chemical Environment
Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas, 1962.
Rea, W. Chemical Sensitivity Vol. I-IV Boca Raton, FL: Lewis Publishers,
1992-1996.
Reeves, AL (ed). Toxicology: Principles and Practice, New York: John Wiley
and Sons, 1981.
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Copyright 1995, 1996 by Adrienne Buffaloe, MD.
Dr. Buffaloe is the medical director of New York City's first chemical-free
Environmental Medicine Center, Healthcare For The 21st Century, LLC., 964
Third Avenue, New York, New York 10155 212.355.2315 fax: 212.355.4496. She
is a member of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, and a
graduate of Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons where she was the
Henry J Kaiser Scholar, and the Aura E Sevringhaus Scholar.