orPANIC DISORDER. Others believe it is a HYPERSENSI-
TIVITY REACTION. Symptoms of multiple chemical
sensitivity syndrome often include
- PALPITATIONSandCHEST PAIN
- fatigue and shortness of breath (DYSPNEA)
- difficulty sleeping
- cognitive disturbances
The diagnostic path is primarily clinical, based
on the person’s symptoms. Though BLOODtests can
detect changes in immune indicators such as
IMMUNOGLOBULIN levels, LEUKOCYTE activity, and
complement factors, the changes are inconsistent
from one person to the next and do not necessar-
ily correlate either to symptoms or exposures.
Treatment is avoidance, whenever possible, of
environments and circumstances that exacerbate
symptoms. Because the substances and their
quantities or exposures to them are common,
however, it is often hard for the person to avoid
exposure. Medications typically given to treat
hypersensitivity reactions, such as ANTIHISTAMINE
MEDICATIONSor CORTICOSTEROID MEDICATIONS, do not
relieve the symptoms and discomforts of multiple
chemical sensitivity syndrome. For most people
the syndrome is chronic, with symptoms waxing
and waning. Multiple chemical sensitivity syn-
drome can have a significant affect onQUALITY OF
LIFE.
See also CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME; COGNITIVE
FUNCTION AND DYSFUNCTION; COMPLEMENT CASCADE;
FIBROMYALGIA.multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome 285