Re: What exactly is MCS?

The One True Zhen Jue <Andrew_King...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Note that even the California Medical Association, and others, has
rejected this as an organic disease. I've cited the first two
paragraphs, but the whole article is a good read. Its well documented
and does present the views of both sides of this controversial topic.

The State of Michigan had a MCS Awareness Week in May 2007

<snip>

<<Whereas, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is recognized by the
Americans with Disabilities Act, the Social Security Administration,
the U.S. Department of Housing, the Environmental Protection Agency,
and other state and federal government agencies and commissions; and
now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of
Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of May 6, 2007, as Multiple
Chemical Sensitivity Awareness Week in Michigan.>>

See also:

<<WebMD

Allergies: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
What Is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is the name given by some to a
condition in which various symptoms reportedly appear after a person
has been exposed to any of a wide range of chemicals. The exposure may
occur as a major event, such as a chemical spill, or from long-term
contact with low-levels of chemicals, such as in an office with poor
ventilation. As a result of exposure, people with MCS develop
sensitivity and have reactions to the chemicals even at levels most
people can tolerate.
Other names for this condition are "environmental illness" and "sick
building syndrome."
Is MCS a Real Disorder?
Many recognized medical groups and societies, including the CDC, the
American Medical Association and the American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology, do not consider MCS a distinct physical
disorder. There are several reasons for this.
First, there is a lack of clinical evidence to support a physical
cause for the symptoms. In addition, people with MCS do not develop
antibodies in response to chemical exposure, as is the case with an
immune system, or allergic reaction. Further, people with MCS also
have high rates of mental health disorders, including depression,
anxiety and somatoform disorders -- mental disorders that are
expressed through physical symptoms. About 50% of people with MCS meet
the criteria for depression and/or anxiety disorders. Much of the
controversy, then, centers on whether the symptoms associated with MCS
are caused by physical or psychological factors.>>

Ah, duh! You'd get depressed and anxious, too, if every time you
turned around, some damn common chemical made you sick!

<<What Are the Symptoms of MCS?

People with MCS have reported a wide range of symptoms, including:
· Headache
· Fatigue
· Dizziness
· Nausea
· Irritability
· Confusion
· Difficulty concentrating
· Intolerance to heat or cold
· Earache
· Stuffy head or congestion
· Itching
· Sneezing
· Sore throat
· Memory problems
· Breathing problems
· Changes in heart rhythm
· Chest pain
· Muscle pain and/or stiffness
· Bloating or gas
· Diarrhea
· Skin rash or hives
· Mood changes >>

I guess I'm lucky because I "only" get dizzy and nauseated.

<<How Common Is MCS?

Many healthcare practitioners do not recognize MCS as a disorder and,
therefore, do not make a diagnosis of MCS. For this reason, it is not
possible to assess how many people actually suffer from MCS. One
estimate suggests that 2%-10% of people suffer some disruption in
their lives because of MCS, although other experts believe these
estimates are too high. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
reported that about one-third of people working in sealed buildings
claimed to be sensitive to one or more common chemicals. More women
than men claim to have MCS, and it appears to occur most often in
people between the ages of 30 and 50 years.

What Causes MCS?

The cause of MCS is unknown. One theory suggests that chemicals
traveling in the air enter the nose and affect an area of the brain
called the limbic system. The limbic system plays a role in emotions,
motivated behavior, and memory, which may make a person more sensitive
to a chemical odor previously encountered, a condition called
cacosmia. However, this theory has not been proven.
Another theory suggests that the immune system is somehow damaged in
people with MCS. Yet another theory, called "toxic-induced loss of
tolerance" (TILT), suggests that acute or chronic exposure to
chemicals causes some susceptible people to lose their tolerance for
chemicals they previously could tolerate. Again, there is little
evidence to support this theory.
People with MCS identify many products as chemical triggers,
including:
· Tobacco smoke
· Perfume
· Traffic exhaust or gasoline fumes
· Nail polish remover
· Newspaper ink
· Hair spray
· Paint or paint thinner
· Insecticides
· Artificial colors, sweeteners and preservatives in food
· Adhesive tape
· New carpet
· Flame retardants on clothing and furniture (such as mattresses)
· Felt tip pens
· Chlorine in swimming pools >>

And nail polish when it's wet, fresh tar, gasoline (well, all
petroleum products), lighter fluid, most 'regular" personal care
products. . .did I leave anything out? Probably.

<<How Is MCS Diagnosed?

There are no tests to diagnose MCS. A doctor generally bases his or
her diagnosis on the person's description of symptoms, usually
following a complete medical history and physical examination. The
doctor may use diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and blood tests, to
rule out true allergies and other physical or mental health disorders
as the cause of the symptoms.>>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_Chemical_Sensitivity

Not a reputable source for information.

If you want more articles, just Google it. You'll get pro and anti
information, including the Quacksquawk article that ticked me off 10
years ago.

Medusa

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Posters who post here
    ... newsgroup that query the validity of the diagnosis of MCS as it commonly ... Fetuses Exposed to Toxic Chemicals ... Lunder and other health advocates spoke Thursday at a news conference ... "Scientists long have understood that our bodies can absorb ...
    (misc.health.alternative)
  • Re: Posters who post here
    ... No one claims that MCS is not real. ... Fetuses Exposed to Toxic Chemicals ... Lunder and other health advocates spoke Thursday at a news conference ... Many chemicals end up in the environment, ...
    (misc.health.alternative)
  • MCS As Physical Disease By A Neuropysychologist
    ... "Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS): ... Advisory Panel on Environmental Illness/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, ... multiple chemical sensitivity patients, ... inappropriate disposal of chemicals. ...
    (misc.health.alternative)
  • Re: 75% Of MCS Patients Are Nuts
    ... Psychiatric and somatic disorders and multiple ... Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) ... chemicals in low concentrations that are well ... patients prospectively presenting to a university ...
    (misc.health.alternative)
  • Re: 75% Of MCS Patients Are Nuts
    ... Yes, Andrew, the topic of this discussion is MCS. ... Further, without smelling the chemicals, the MCS "patient" ... Allergies are connected to ...
    (misc.health.alternative)