Stages of “MCS�

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Stages of “MCSâ€

_http://www.mcsbeaconofhope.com/MCS%20BOH/meggs_main.htm_

(http://www.mcsbeaconofhope.com/MCS%20BOH/meggs_main.htm)

 

Dr. Meggs provides an excellent description of the observed stages of

chemically induced illness described as the " Hypothetical Chemical Stress

Syndrome " .

 

STAGE ZERO -- TOLERANCE: is what it appears to be, the ability of a person

to tolerate their chemical environment.

 

STAGE ONE -- SENSITIZATION: or the irritant phase, " occurs when an

individual is chemically stressed either by an acute high-dose chemical

exposure, or

by a chronic insidious exposure. Individuals in Stage 1 have symptoms on

exposure to chemicals, but no physical findings on physical examination. "

Symptoms may include joint pain, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, flushing,

pruritis,

nausea, et al.

 

STAGE TWO -- INFLAMMATION: is when the chemical exposure has led to tissue

inflammation, such as arthritis, vasculitis, some types of dermatitis,

colitis, myositis, non-allergic asthma, multiple sclerosis and rhinitis. " It is

at

this stage that both findings in physical examination appear and a medical

diagnosis can be given... The progression from Stage 1 to Stage 2 again follows

increasing chemical exposures, and if tissue damage has not occurred, the

inflammation can be reversed by removal of the chemical stimuli. " When a person

is in stage 2, the symptoms can be controlled through various medications if

a person is not sensitive to those medications.

 

However, one needs to exercise caution because the medications are not a

cure for chemical exposure, but rather can mask the root cause of the symptoms,

allowing further subtle cell damage to occur if the chemicals are not

avoided: " That is, progression between Stages 1 and 2 is a two-way process,

with

regression from Stage 2 to Stage 1 being possible if chemicals are avoided. The

inflammation of Stage 2 can be reduced by medications such as corticosteroids

and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, but these agents are not a

curative. If the chemical stimuli are not removed, there is immediate relapse

of inflammation with discontinuation of anti-inflammatory medications.

Further, these medications do not prevent the progression from Stage 2 to Stage

3. "

 

STAGE THREE -- TISSUE AND ORGAN DETERIORATION: is when chronic inflammation

caused by chemical exposure has finally led to tissue damage such as nerve

damage, kidney damage, liver damage, lung damage, autoimmune damage, etc. This

stage is irreversible: " Unfortunately, once tissue is damaged there is little

hope in current medical practice for reversal, and organ function is lost. "

This doesn't mean it's time to throw in the towel. It is a point where

patients need to carefully reevaluate their situation and further examine their

environment for possible contributing factors. They then need to adjust by

making the necessary lifestyle changes to try to prevent sill worse damage from

occurring. It is important to note here that individuals can pass throughout

these apparent stages without ever having developed MCS, or even without making

a mental connection to chronic chemical exposure in their environment.

 

MCS becomes debilitating for most of the individuals who eventually progress

to stages two and three. Although MCS is very controversial both the U.S.

Dept. of Housing and Urban Development and the Social Security Administration

have recognized MSC as a disability. Many state agencies will help individuals

with MCS by providing assistance with homemakers, counselors and many other

very important services.