It also takes an unbiased look at the controversy and the evidence supporting and challenging the diagnosis.
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What Is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)?
Mutiple chemical sensitivity was first proposed as a disease entity in the 1950s by a physician andallergistnamed Theron Randolph.
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Randolph proposed MCS as an intolerance to certain environmental chemicals that lead to chronic, recurring illness and disability.
Symptoms of MCS develop based on the types, duration, and severity of the exposure.
As such, there isn’t a unique profile as to how MCS “looks.”
Some possible biological causes include:
How Is MCS Diagnosed?
There are no criteria or lab tests designed to diagnose MCS.
That said, since the disorder is so controversial, it may be difficult to find the proper diagnosis.
Diagnosing MCS may require multiple visits to your healthcare provider, tests, evaluations, and second opinions.
How Is MCS Treated?
The medical community is still determining what causes MCS and what is happening within the body to drive symptoms.
Because of that, no effective or proven treatments are available specifically for MCS.
Medical researchers have coined a term for these types of disorders, which is “central sensitivity syndromes.”
That is one of the differences between them and MCS.
Why the Debate and Controversy?
However, this should not suggest that MCS is entirely unsupported by research.
Summary
MCS is a controversial disease driven by environmental exposure to certain chemicals.
The lack of research surrounding MCS has made it difficult to pinpoint a cause.
However, many factors can trigger symptoms after exposure to a particular chemical.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of MCS but have yet to seek help, contact a healthcare provider.
They can assist you in finding out if you have MCS and what you could do about it.
2016;2(2):28-45. doi:10.20431/2455-1538.0202005
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Multiple chemical sensitivity.
