Stages of “MCS�

[Guest guest]

Stages of “MCSâ€

_http://www.mcsbeaconofhope.com/MCS BOH/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 re-evaluate 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, counsellors and many other

very important services.

[The Canadian Human Rights Commission also recognizes MCS as a disability.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

At first when I saw the title of this article " Toxic Teacher Syndrome " I thought

it was going to be some funny article about teaching (as I am a teacher and

students do have their quirks lol) I couldnt believe the information tho - it

describes how I feel to a T. I thought the lack of energy and concentration was

just burnout from a long school year! How do I fix

this?                                     Â\

 Â Â  Jill

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

    Jill, I have MCS, mulit allergies etc. I would join a group for Mulitiple

Chemical Sensitivities, if I were you. Actually that is what I did over 8 years

ago. Unfortunately I hadn't realized that MCS gets worse, nor that there are

many treatments plus many things that one can to do minimize reactions to

chemicals. I can't list them all here - there are effective treatments, but you

will also need to change your environment or adapt it. Even the effective

treatments need you to do that. The first things to do are minimize your

exposures as much as possible - this means making your home safe from chemicals

as much as possible.

 

          There are several very good groups - I know of 3 that I would

recommend - though I am sure there are a couple of others that are good too.

 

          blessings

                Shan

 

Re:Stages of “MCSâ€

Posted by: " Jill Warren " herbgirl77   herbgirl77

Tue Oct 7, 2008 5:21 pm (PDT)

At first when I saw the title of this article " Toxic Teacher Syndrome " I thought

it was going to be some funny article about teaching (as I am a teacher and

students do have their quirks lol) I couldnt believe the information tho - it

describes how I feel to a T. I thought the lack of energy and concentration was

just burnout from a long school year! How do I fix

this?                                     Â\

 Â Â  Jill