How do I know if I have MCS?
Then, how is MCS diagnosed?
There are no specific criteria to diagnose MCS, which makes it a challenging problem. The main focus of the diagnosis process is to associate patient’s symptoms to environmental exposures. Usually, your doctor will take an extensive history including screening questionnaires (such as QEESI - Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Questionnaire). Pinpointing when symptoms began along with points in history when the exposure occurred. Also, expect your doctor to do a thorough physical exam on you, along with a long list of labs to explore. Examples of these labs: Complete blood count, metabolic panel including liver enzymes, immunologic function, pulmonary function tests, and provoked urine testing. Testing can be employed to exclude environmental toxin exposure at your home which can suggest to another diagnosis of Sick Building Syndrome, rather than MCS.
Overlap with other diseases:
MCS overlaps with other conditions including Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Research shows that 30% of those with MCS meet the criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 80% of both Fibromyalgia and MCS patients met the CFS criteria of fatigue lasting more then 6 months, with a 50% reduction in activity. More than 50% of the CFS and FM pts reported adverse reactions to various chemicals.
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Subtypes:
IEI-EMF (Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance to Electromagnetic Frequency)
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References:
Baljit K. Clinical Ecology Week 5: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Presentation presented at the: 2021; Bastyr University, San Diego, California.
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