{"id":1784,"date":"2020-09-02T16:58:41","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T20:58:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/?page_id=1784"},"modified":"2023-11-06T10:27:40","modified_gmt":"2023-11-06T15:27:40","slug":"diagnosis-treatment-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/environmental-sensitivities\/diagnosis-treatment-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Diagnosis, Treatment, Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What are Environmental Sensitivities\/Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Environmental sensitivities\/multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) are a range of reactions to environmental factors, including chemicals, foods, and biological agents at levels of exposure tolerated by many people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MCS is a painful, chronic, multi-system condition that can develop in people of all ages, often following either a single massive exposure or repeated low-level exposures to commonly used products, and chemicals commonly released into the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sufferers then become sensitized to substances in their everyday environment at levels well below what would be considered to be acceptable to \u201cnormal\u201d people. Sensitivity reactions can be triggered by scented products (personal products, shampoo, antiperspirants, creams, cologne, clothes softener, etc.), cleaning products, laundry detergents, paints, petrochemicals, cigarette smoke, pesticides, pets, plants, solvents, molds, foods or additives, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of triggers \/ exposures (Non exhaustive list)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Click here to view more triggers<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chemical agents<\/td>Flame retardants, rubber, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), diesel, ink and printed material, petrol or natural gas, smoke (tobacco, wood, etc.), vehicle exhaust, fresh tar or asphalt, interiors of new cars, dry cleaning fluid, building and renovation materials (e.g. caulking, grout, shellac, paint, sealants, varnish, etc.), markers, new furniture and furnishings, new carpets, pesticides, petrochemicals, insecticide spray, shower curtains, chemicals and VOCs released by new products, nail polish and solvents, soft vinyl, etc.<\/td><\/tr>
Biological agents<\/td>Mould<\/td><\/tr>
Workplace
exposures<\/td>		Glues and solvents, exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), exposures to gases and fumes (firefighters), gases and fumes from welding, exhaust gases, Isocyanates, paints and paint thinners, pesticides, dust from wood, flour, metal, etc., chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics, adhesives, etc.<\/td><\/tr>
Scented products<\/td>Air fresheners and incense, fabric softeners, sunscreen, detergents and soaps, new plastic, cleaning products (e.g. disinfectants, bleach, floor cleaners, furniture cleaners, etc.), personal care products (e.g. : deodorants, hair spray, body lotions, aftershave lotions, makeup, etc.), baby care products, perfumed products (colognes, essential oils, perfumes, devices emitting all kinds of perfumes, potpourris), etc.<\/td><\/tr>
Other<\/td>Foods, supplements, medications, food flavourings, colours, preservatives, etc., sound, vibration, light, temperature, wood terpenes, etc.<\/td><\/tr>

<\/td>		Note:
This is not an exhaustive list of exposures in the workplace. Sensitivities caused by a substance
can lead to reactions to other chemicals, including unrelated personal and household cleaning
products, smoke, food, etc.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms (Non-exhaustive list)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Click here to view symptoms<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Systems<\/strong><\/td>Symptoms<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>
Central Nervous &
Neurological<\/td>		Sense of smell heightened, neurological pain (skin burning most often), migraines, intense headaches, dizziness, vertigo, confusion, feeling dull, weak or foggy, lack of coordination and \/ or balance, tinnitus, cognitive problems (brain fog), poor concentration, difficulty remembering, memory loss, hyperactivity, restlessness, anxiety, tension, depression, insomnia, sleep problems, night sweats, fatigue, exhaustion<\/td><\/tr>
Respiratory & Immune<\/td>Distress and \/ or difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma, chest pain, frequent bronchitis or pneumonia, congestion, itching or runny nose, allergic rhinitis, sinus infections and \/ or pain, sore throat, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms<\/td><\/tr>
Eyes<\/td>Red, painful, watery eyes, disturbed vision<\/td><\/tr>
Gastrointestinal<\/td>Excessive drooling, bleeding gums, heartburn, abdominal or stomach pain, nausea, bloating, constipation, diarrhea<\/td><\/tr>
Endocrine<\/td>Fatigue, lethargy, fluctuating blood sugar, hormonal disturbances or imbalances<\/td><\/tr>
Musculo skeletal<\/td>Muscle spasms and \/ or pain, joint pain and \/ or swelling, backache, burning sensation in the muscles, extreme pain in the face, jaws and mouth, weakness, allodynia, inflammation<\/td><\/tr>
Cardiovascular<\/td>Palpitations, rapid and \/ or irregular heartbeat, hypertension or hypotension, cold extremities<\/td><\/tr>
Skin<\/td>Eczema, rashes, itching, hives, redness, rash, redness, cuts or lesions<\/td><\/tr>
Genitourinary<\/td>Frequency and urgency to urinate, incontinence, spasms in the bladder<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Diagnostic Criteria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taking an Exposure History (CH2OPD2)<\/u><\/a>
The Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI)<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Initiation and subsequent sensitization observed in cases of environmental sensitivities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Symptoms are reproducible following repeated chemical exposure;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The condition is chronic<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Lower exposure levels than those previously tolerated, or tolerated by the general population, lead to the manifestation of symptoms;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Symptoms improve or disappear when the incitants are removed;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Responses occur to multiple chemically unrelated substances;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Symptoms involve multiple organ systems;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n