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Symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
MCS can be the result of a single massive exposure to one or more toxic substance or repeated exposures to low doses of toxic substances. Many become chemical-sensitive following a toxic chemical spill at home or at work, or after exposure to pesticides. People may develop MCS from spending time in a poorly ventilated building, where they breathe a combination of chemicals such as cleaners, perfumes, hairsprays, deodorants, carpet chemicals, etc.. MCS may be brought on by a wide array of chemicals found at work, home, schools, and parks. What May Cause MCS? There is no known definite cause of MCS, however many of the following are suspected in contributing or causing the Illness.
People with MCS Research finds that those diagnosed with MCS tend to be in the following categories.
Many with MCS have to make extreme changes in their lives, and some can become partially or totally disabled for several years or for life. Their relationships and marriages may end due to the stress created in making changes due to the illness. Many continue to work, only to become sicker and more exhausted each day. Many lose their jobs, income, and health insurance and many become homeless. Some do recover, but it is rare. Commonly reported triggers include:
Our bodies are exposed to toxic chemicals on a daily basis in the air, food, and water. When the body cannot tolerate these chemicals anymore, many become ill. Some people get cancer, others get Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Diabetes, or other Autoimmune diseases, while others develop MCS.
MCS is recognized by several government agencies including the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) and a report on MCS has been created by several agencies working together under the US government and can be viewed at http://web.health.gov/environment/mcs/toc.htm
My Personal Thoughts and Theories on MCS MCS is a global problem, with support groups, doctors, and organizations all over the world. It is mainly in industrialized nations. There are many theories as to why MCS exists. 1. The body has lost its ability to adapt to different environments due to the thousands of chemicals in the air, water, and food. 2. The liver is not detoxifying the body, detoxifying enzymes and amino acids such as glutathione have been destroyed, used up, or damaged from overload of chemicals. 3. Nerve Damage from chemicals. Many with MCS have nerve damage. All our senses (sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing) are from nerve endings, if they are damaged the nerves are much more sensitive than they used to be which would explain why many with MCS are sensitive not only to chemicals but some are sensitive to sunlight, electromagnetic radiation, noise, food, and touch due to pain. Many chemicals are known to cause severe nerve damage! 4. The oil hypothesis where many of the items that people with MCS react to are synthetically derived from oil. Most plastics (on appliances, electronics, consumer goods), synthetic fabrics, perfumes, personal care products, pesticides, candles, vitamins, supplements, actually contain chemicals synthesized from oil or petroleum. With so many items made from oil it is no wonder people are becoming sensitized to items made with oil. Oil in general is wreaking havoc in the world from war, to pollution. 5. If you look at the material safety data sheets (MSDS) for certain chemicals such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (view MSDS) which is in all shampoos, is a known carcinogen, and is added to shampoo to make it sudsy, it says under Acute Effects, that "The Sodium salt of Dodecyl Sulfate (synonym for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) has been reported to cause pulmonary sensitization resulting in hyperactive airway dysfunction and pulmonary allergy accompanied by fatigue, malaise and aching. Significant symptoms of exposure can persist for more than two years and can be activated by a variety of nonspecific environmental stimuli such as automobile exhaust, perfumes, and passive smoking."!!! It is amazing that a chemical that causes Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and cancer is allowed to be in our shampoo. I think I would rather have no suds and no cancer or MCS! Cornell University Material Safety Data Sheets 6. Immune system and brain damage from chemicals. Tests have shown that those with MCS have immune system damage and brain damage due to chemical exposures. Brain damage can be shown clearly on a SPECT or PET scan. 7. Clear Body=Clear Mind=Clear Spirit=Evolution??? How can we evolve mentally and spiritually when we are overloaded with toxins that keep us sick and weak??? 8. Autoimmunity is rampant now. Many diseases such as Diabetes, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and about 50 other diseases fall into the Autoimmune disease category and many with MCS have autoimmune problems. Autoimmunity is where the body attacks its own cells because it sees them as foreign. Maybe our cells are storing so many toxins that the body mistakes its own cells as foreign invaders. It makes me think of the Beluga Whale in the St. Lawrence River. Beluga whales are required to be burned because their bodies are so full of toxic chemicals from the dumping that has occurred in the St. Lawrence, that they are considered toxic waste! Chemicals are also appearing not only in industrialized peoples blood but in the blood of Eskimos who live thousands of miles away from the source of those chemicals!! MSNBC-New Chemicals in Arctic's Toxic Stew. I feel it is important to at least put the ideas out there so maybe others can help put the pieces together to end all these horrible chemically induced diseases!
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