Asthma Interfere With Our Respiratory Organs

TABLE OF CONTENT

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome
Causes & Mechanisms
Symptoms
Triggers
Management & Treatment
Strategies for success
Self diagnose your MCS in our brand new MCS Shop!
References

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity [a.k.a Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance (IEI), Twentieth century Disease Syndrome, Total Allergy Syndrome, Immune System Dysregulation, and Chemically Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome] refers to an unusually severe sensitivity or allergy-like a reaction to a number of pollutants such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), perfumes, smoke, petrol, diesel, solvents, chemicals in general, and can sometimes include sensitivity to pollen, house dust mites (HDM’s), pet fur, and pet dander 1. It’s an acquired condition, which is typically initiated by a definable exposure to a toxic substance. Symptoms of MCS are provoked by very low doses of causal factors and may occur in various organ systems 2. The mechanism from the reason for MCS is unknown and its processes are not fully understood; however, it tends to occur in people with a propensity to allergies or if allergies run in the family. Usually, individuals are well until at some stage in their life they are subjected to certain chemicals, in both one large dose or in repeated small doses 3.

Causes & Mechanisms

The cause of MCS is unknown. It has however been suggested, although not proven, that chemicals travelling up go into the nose and affect a place of the brain known as the limbic system, which plays a role in emotions, motivated behaviour, and memory. This can make a person more sensitive to chemical odour previously encountered. It has been suggested, but with little evidence, that acute or chronic exposure to chemicals may cause susceptible individuals to lose tolerance for chemicals they might previously tolerate 4. Some theories have suggested that the defense mechanisms of MCS patients is somehow damaged causing sensitivity to any or all sorts of triggers. Perhaps the most worrying feature of MCS is its ability to worsen the effect of other problems experienced by patients; included in this are depression, food intolerance, and asthma (to say a few) 1.

Symptoms

Those who suffer from MCS can have severe symptoms, which could hinder their daily life and work. These symptoms generally occur in one of three categories: central nervous system symptoms, respiratory and mucosal irritation, or gastrointestinal problems 5. As such, symptoms include, but are not restricted to, a rapid heart rate, heart problems, sweating, difficulty breathing, fatigue, tiredness which is not relieved by rest or sleep, flushing, dizziness, nausea, choking, trembling, numbness, coughing, runny nose (rhinitis), sore throat, cough, hoarseness, altered olfaction, sensitivity to light and noise, skin rashes, itching skin, and difficulty concentrating.

Triggers

MCS sufferers typically present having a firm belief that their symptoms are as a result of chemical exposure, which symptoms are accelerated by a range of everyday chemicals and common environmental agents. These include,

1. Perfumes

95% of chemicals in perfumes and fragranced goods are synthetic chemicals, which are based on petroleum; included in this are benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, and limonene, to mention a few. These are all recognized to possess a negative impact on health particularly to the central nervous system 6.

2. Pesticides

Acute contact with pesticides is generally regarded as the first trigger when the start of MCS occurs suddenly in an otherwise healthy individual. Pesticides are potent chemicals, due to the fact that the considerable number of options are chemically related to war time nerve agents and therefore have negative effects on the nervous, endocrine and immune systems These effects are required of pesticides to be able to kill pests and as such it is no surprise that humans could be affected negatively by their effects. Common pesticides include DDT (which is one of the most potent and it has now been banned from a quantity of western countries), lindane, and chlordane, to mention several 6.

3. Household Cleaning Products

The majority of the pollution within the average home comes from the use of common household cleaning products. Based on the United States Epa (EPA), only around three in ten of the thousands of chemicals utilized in household cleaning products have been safely tested. Common chemicals used in cleaning products include toluene, found in stain removers; hexane/ xylene, present in aerosol sprays; EDTA, found in bleach; and diethyl phthalate, present in a number of products such as cosmetics, insecticides, plus some food packaging 6.

4. Gas

When natural gas burns, it produces hydrocarbon products for example methane, co2 and small quantities of deadly carbon monoxide. Inhalation of these may cause side effects. Individuals could be exposed to gas in your own home where it’s utilized in heating systems, stoves and water heaters or at the office, for people working with chemicals, petroleum, metals, glass, plastic, pulp and paper, to say several 6.

5. Other triggers include, vehicle exhaust, perfumes in cosmetics, shampoo, tar fumes from roof or road, varnish, shellac, lacquer, nail polish, nail polish remover, marking pen, laundry detergent, hair spray, after shave lotion, etc.

Management & Treatment

The best way to manage MCS is to avoid the sensitising agents, which trigger symptoms. Complete removal (where possible) of the chemicals, which cause MCS symptoms helps eliminate exposure. Prevention of exposure offers the body with enough time for you to detoxify and heal itself; however, it might be very difficult to eliminate several of these agents because most are encountered on a daily basis. As such, other treatment modalities need to be thought to help manage MCS.

Alternative treatment for MCS include,

1. Detoxification programs

These are detoxification programs involving a lot of exercise and sweating, in addition to chelation of chemical toxins. Oral chelation is a popular mode of detoxification, which will help to enhance health and nutritional status by replacing toxic metals with essential elements. This type of therapy uses chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to tightly bind to heavy metals and take away them from the body, usually through urine. The concern with chelation therapy however is the fact that chelating agents aren’t generally specific and therefore it is possible that essential trace elements can be removed as well as toxic metals.

2. Nutrition

MCS sufferers are sometimes advised to prevent all suspect foods, which might trigger certain symptoms. It’s thought that MCS sufferers have a higher likelihood of nutritional imbalances, particularly deficiency in magnesium. Intravenous infusions of minerals and vitamins for example, ascorbic acid and B vitamins, magnesium, and minerals, can have significant therapeutic benefits 6.

3. Drugs such as antihistamines and steroids.

4. Immunotherapy is sometimes used as a mode of treatment to help sufferers develop a tolerance for several allergens. This really is completed by injecting small amounts of many allergens just beneath your skin of the patient; however, tolerance might not develop for months or even years.

Tips for success

- Full assessment, including nutritional, neurological examination and selective skin tests
- Peak flow monitoring
- Keep a symptom and cause diary to watch triggers
- Eliminate all toxins from your home
- Choose only unscented natural skincare and cosmetics
- Use natural detergents and cleaning products
- Replace all your cleaning products having a natural product range
- Remove all manufactured and chemically treated carpets and soft furnishings and replace unbleached organic alternative
- Use organic pure cotton bedding for comfortable fume free nights
- Wear unbleached natural fibres, particularly close to the skin
- Avoid all junk foods

The vertebral subluxation complex is a term unique towards the chiropractic profession. It refers to several conditions identified by doctors. However, grouping the constituents from the vertebral subluxation complex together and treating them because the “cause of dis-ease” is exclusive to chiropractors. Chiropractors usually make reference to the vertebral subluxation complex as simply a “subluxation”.

Subluxation (sub”luk-sa’shun) – Any vertebrae that has lost its proper juxta-position using the bone above, below, or both, which impinges on the nerve and interferes with mental impulses.

The vertebral subluxation complex includes as much as five conditions, or “components”. Not all of the constituents are necessary for the subluxation diagnosis. They have a tendency to become progressive in nature. That is, the vertebral subluxation might begin with an injury or as the result of a repetitive trauma or the like and progresses right into a complex of conditions. Those conditions may include any of the following components of the subluxation:

spinal kinesiopathology – (ki-ne”se-o-pah-thol’o-je) bone misalignment and joint malfunction including hyper or hypo-mobility.
neuropathophysiology – (nu”ro-path”o-fiz”e-ol’o-je) nerve malfunction and nerve pathological changes from the nerve being stretched, pinched, impinged upon, or irritated.
myopathology – (mi-o-pah-thol’o-je) dis-ease of the muscles, seen with muscle spasms, contractures, atrophy, and / or weakness. This can cause a change in the makeup of the muscle by replacing healthy contractile tissue with less elastic tissue.
histopathology – (his’to-pah-thol’o-je) changes of the involved soft tissues of the vertebral subluxation complex including discs, ligaments, circulation and lymph supply.
pathophysiology – (path”o-fiz”e-ol’o-je) cumulative degenerative arthritic changes that occur to the soft tissues and bones of the involved vertebral joints and vertebrae.

Spinal kinesiopathology involves a spinal joint no longer working properly. Chiropractors palpate the spine to look for the function of individual spinal joints. Diagnostic studies such as video fluoroscopy can demonstrate joint motion and spinal kinesiopathology, however, this exposes the patient to unnecessary radiation and it is typically reserved for unusual circumstances such as after significant trauma or suspected defects.

Neuropathophysiology describes a nerve that is working less than it otherwise should. In obvious cases, patients might experience frequent numbness and tingling as well as weak muscles within their extremities that is caused by apart from obvious external compression of the nerve. At other times it is not so obvious and can involve nerves that go to organs and play vital roles within the regulation and health of that organ. Chiropractors often use equipment to appraise the surface electrical changes of the spinal musculature to deduct the possibility changes of the nerves exiting the spinal column. Modern-day technology is open to measure nerve conductions, however, their use can be very invasive and is rarely desired.

Myopathology is a result of abnormal nerve signals. It’s the reason chiropractors may use surface electrical measurements to assistance with the diagnosis of the vertebral subluxation complex. Such technology can be used to evaluate for hypertonic, normal, and hypotonic musculature.

Histopathology gets to be more obvious as the vertebral subluxation complex progresses. With longstanding subluxations, the surrounding tissues often become fibrotic or gristle like and pain tends to increase. The tissues are no longer healthy and elastic because they were in the past.

Pathophysiology sometimes appears with the eventual changes towards the bones, ligaments, and discs. On imaging, the bones, ligaments, and discs often appear to have aged faster than normal within the presence from the vertebral subluxation complex. Chiropractors primarily use x-rays to assistance with their evaluation and frequently refer patients for MRI’s and other more advanced imaging studies to assistance with their diagnosis.

The vertebral subluxation complex will often modify the end organ the nerves visit. For example, a sick spinal nerve that goes to leg or arm muscles can cause the muscles it innervates to become spastic or weak and eventually atrophy. An obvious example is paralysis from a spinal fracture. The spinal cord and nerves might not be severed. But instead, inflammation and / or bony impingement that can cause paralysis and atrophy. In less obvious cases the progression of weakness and paralysis is gradual or may only be slight as the result of neuropathophysiology.

Sometimes organs in the body are participating instead of muscles. Affected nerves of the spine that go towards the intestinal muscle can cause intestinal spasms or weak contractions. You aren’t these problems might experience diarrhea or constipation. Weak nerves towards the lungs can impact breathing and make asthmatic symptoms. The organs of the body can be impacted by the nerves that innervate them causing various health problems.

he usual stuffed and runny nose, scratchy throat, congestion, watery eyes, and blocked sinuses. Inhaling cold viruses does not by itself result in a cold. If you try to give someone a cold, for instance, it requires greater than a virus. Experimenters have incubated cold viruses, placed them directly on the mucous lining from the nose, and found that their subjects came down with colds only twelve percent of times. For germs to develop in you, you have to first be fertile soil.

Building Resistance with Chiropractic
Chiropractic, however, doesn’t treat the most popular cold. It does something better. People under Chiropractic care have noticed significant increases in their natural resistance to colds. Natural resistance is the only reason why your cold “goes away” instead of lasting for weeks, months or your entire lifetime! Chiropractic care might help lift up your natural resistance to disease by removing a serious interference for your proper body function referred to as vertebral (spinal) subluxations (misalignments). Once the spine has run out of alignment, it affects natural flow from the nervous system which could cause many problems in the human body even just in the lack of back pain.

— The Immune System —

The defense mechanisms, like most from the body, requires balance to function properly. T-helper 1 cells
(Th-1) and T-helper 2 cells (Th2) help regulate your body’s response to foreign invaders. Th1 uses white blood cells to go after viruses and cancer cells. Th2 immune cells use antibodies to visit after bacteria. Normally, your body strikes a balance by switching backwards and forwards between Th1 and Th2. In a person with an autoimmune disorder, one dominates and suppresses the other. Trans fats, mercury and other heavy metals, sugar and processed foods, alcohol, lack of sleep, loss of focus, and stress are part of a modern lifestyle that may disrupt the Th1/Th2 balance.

Th1 dominance in females is assigned to autoimmunity and recurrent miscarriage within the first trimester of being pregnant. Additionally, children within the autism spectrum tend to be Th1 dominant. Besides autoimmunity, Th2 dominance is seen as a a tendency toward allergies, frequent colds and viral infections, and cancer.

Both Th1 and Th2 cells create a protein substance known as cytokines. Cytokines cause inflammation. This inflammation should be a brief response to injury or infection. Cytokines are a necessary a part of our immunity. It’s the overproduction (a lot of) of certain small cytokine molecules leading to the invasion and inflammation of the organ or body system.

In the brain, cytokines may cause behavioral changes. They are able to either prompt or worsen depression, anxiety, or anorexia. They might result in a person to become withdrawn. Cytokines create fatigue and interfere with sleep patterns. They’re one thing accountable for what’s been termed “brain fog.”

Autoimmune conditions are named or categorized according to where in your body cytokines are being overproduced and how the disease manifests itself. For instance, an overproduction of these cytokines in the joints causing pain and swelling is known as Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms (RA). It may go by different names and occur in different places in the body, but ultimately, autoimmunity is a disease with numerous faces.

“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” – William James

Some psychologists and life-style gurus teach that there’s no such thing as “negative” emotions which feelings are never “wrong”. You might or might not agree with this philosophy. Your immune system, however, definitely operates with a different standard. Immune function reflects the great and bad that you feel and do. It’ll keep you on track for all of your feelings and thoughts, both good and bad. As far-fetched as it might sound, optimal immune function is impossible if you aren’t willing to live according to the dictates of your conscience.

— The Body-Mind Connection —

“It’s not what you believe you’re – but what you think, you are.” -Author Unknown

The hypothalamus may be the emotional center of the brain. It transforms emotions into physical responses with the use of chemical messenger hormones called neuropeptides. Neuropeptides carry emotions back and forth between your mind and body. These chemical messengers influence every major portion of the immune system. Due to them, the body and mind interact as you.

“Consider how much more you often suffer from your anger and grief, than from those things that you are angry and grieved.” -Marcus Antonius

Negative emotions like frustration, anger, and resentment promote cytokine production. People who are prone to anger or depression are also prone to Th2 dominance. Research has shown that fear, anger, or worry may cause inflammation in the airway of the child prompting an symptoms of asthma. Moreover, negative thoughts make the destruction of white blood cells, weakening what you can do to battle off infection. In this sense, harsh emotions promote Th1/Th2 imbalance.

“When I actually do good, I feel good. When I do bad, Personally i think bad. That’s my religion.” -Abraham Lincoln

We all know that the defense mechanisms can act as an actual manifestation of a guilty conscience because guilt causes Th2 dominance. Our immune systems also respond negatively to anxiety about how others judge our behavior.

—–Stress—–

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” -William James

Stress has this type of powerful impact on immunity that it is estimated that in the general population, two-thirds of all of the illnesses seen by doctors are linked to stress. Your body responds to emotional stress exactly the same way it responds to physical stress: with increased inflammation.

You don’t even need to be under stress in that moment. According to research, just recalling or considering stressful times in your past increases cytokine production. Recalling painful memories also lowers your resistance to infection. In comparison, remembering memories raises immunity.

——-Love——-

“I haven’t met an individual whose greatest need was anything apart from real, unconditional love. You’ll find it in a simple act of kindness toward somebody that needs help. There is no mistaking love. You are feeling it in your heart. It is the common fiber of life, the flame of this heats our soul, energizes our spirit and supplies passion to our lives. It is our connection to God and also to one another.” -Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Positive emotions, a great attitude, laughter, and love also have an exceptionally powerful impact on immunity along with a person’s ability to deal with disease. When we feel love, compassion, caring, or gratitude, the heart sends messages to the brain, which secretes hormones that positively affect our health. Love is healing both to the giver and the receiver. We’re protected from infection by social ties with friends, family, and community which involve love. Inside a study, 276 healthy volunteers received nasal drops containing rhinovirus, which causes the most popular cold. Not everyone who had been infected became ill. Individuals with the greatest ties and quantity of strong relationships were the least prone to get sick.

Love of self is also a significant part of the equation. One doctor stated that if he told his patients to boost their very own immune function, they would not understand how. However, if he taught them how to love themselves yet others fully, it would attain the desired effect.

—–Laughter—–

“Over the years, I’ve encountered an unexpected number of instances in
which, to any or all appearances, patients have laughed themselves back to
health, or at best have used their spontaneity like a very positive and
adaptive response to their illness.” -Raymond A. Moody, M.D.

Just behind love in its healing properties is laughter. Individuals with a better sense of humor have stronger immune systems than those who don’t laugh easily. Research has shown that watching as little as thirty to one hour of a comedy video is sufficient to increase immunoglobulin A, a part of your defense mechanisms, which serves to safeguard you against upper respiratory problems. We know that in the same study that watching comedies increases levels of an ingredient called Complement 3, which will help antibodies pierce through and destroy defective or infected cells. Humor can also help stimulate Th1 cells.

—You Also have a Choice—

“Cripple him, and you’ve got a Sir Walter Scott. Lock him in a prison cell, and you’ve got a John Bunyan. Bury him in the snows of Valley Forge, and you’ve got a George Washington. Raise him in abject poverty and you’ve got an Abraham Lincoln. Strike him down with infantile paralysis, and he becomes Franklin Roosevelt. Burn him so severely the doctors say he’ll never walk again, and you have a Glenn Cunningham — who set the earth’s one-mile record in 1934. Deafen him and you’ve got a Ludwig van Beethoven. Have him or her born black inside a society filled with bigotry, and you’ve got a Booker T. Washington, a Marian Anderson, a George Washington Carver. Call him a slow learner, “retarded,” and write him off as uneducable, and you have an Albert Einstein. As you man summed up: Life is about 20% in what happens to us and 80% in the way we react to the events.”
- Ted Engstrom