Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a controversial term. Synonyms for MCS are twentieth century disease, Environmental Illness, Total Allergy syndrome, Chemical AIDS, and Idiopathic Environmental Illness. It is believed by some that exposure to a chemical (or many chemicals) can trigger a complex of symptoms called MCS. It appears to affect young women at a higher rate than men. There has not been a consensus on the specific definition for MCS. The disorder is characterized by recurring symptoms affecting multiple organ systems. The individual demonstrates symptoms of MCS when exposed to many unrelated chemicals, in doses that are far below those recognized to cause harm in the general population. No single, widely accepted test of physiologic function can be correlated with the symptoms (Cullen 1987a; 1987b).

The theories for MCS include, but are not limited to, dysfunction of the immune system and neurological abnormalities--specifically, chemical sensitization of the limbic system--and various psychological theories. To date, no studies have validated any theory. One study points out that MCS, fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and post-traumatic stress disorder are overlapping diseases, sharing common symptoms. Very often, each disorder seems to be induced by a relatively short-term stress, which is followed by a chronic pathology, suggesting that the stress may act by inducing a self-perpetuating vicious cycle.

Pall et al. (2001b) believe that the vicious cycle mechanism is the explanation for the etiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and MCS, based on the elevated levels of nitric oxide and its potent oxidant product, peroxynitrite, found in both conditions.

Beckman et al. reported that peroxynitrite reacts with and inactivates several important mitochondrial enzymes leading to metabolic energy dysfunction (Beckman et al. 1993; Radi et al. 1994), characteristics of both Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and MCS.

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