Q&A Diagnostic Tools for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Q&A  Diagnostic Tools for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/September2009pg22.pdf  
Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsseptember2009.htm#_Welcome_to_Multiple  
 
"Q:  I am seeing more and more patients with complaints of non-allergic sensitivities to chemical substances.  What exactly is multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and are there any diagnostic tools to determine if a patient has MCS?

A:  Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a disorder incited by toxic chemical substances.  People with MCS have a reduced ability to metabolize chemical substances, leading to toxicity.  This results in inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, among other things which can be revealed in a thorough medical workup.  MCS is often mistaken as an allergy.  Allergy testing will rule out allergy as a cause for reactions to specific substances."