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| We all recognize that people vary widely in their response to a room full of cigarette smoke - some people can ignore it easily while others react with stuffy nose, teary eyes, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath. On the other hand, clinical ecologists (doctors who specialize in environmental illness), believe that MCS is a widespread condition caused by exposure to common foods, chemicals and other stressors that can sensitize people, causing them to react adversely to even tiny amounts of these substances. Both inorganic compounds (such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and heavy metals) and organic compounds (pesticides, formaldehyde, phenol, etc.) are involved. Different initiating events may give rise to somewhat different ailments, all of which cause sensitivity to chemicals - just as different infectious diseases can all cause a fever. Switching occurs when the same exposure produces entirely different organ involvement e.g. photocopier fumes initially caused headache, and subsequently caused no headache but wheezing. Serum levels of suspected chemicals confirm the diagnosis. Most of us need little convincing that our urban environments are polluted. |
| Arrhythmias/Dysrhythmias Tinnitus Migraine/Tension Headaches Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome |