Electrical and multiple chemical sensitivities are disabling illnesses, yet many doctors know little of these conditions, or worse, dismiss them. This timely memoir recounts one man's affliction. The onset of the diseases is explored, as is his struggle with the medical establishment, largely hostile to his diagnosis. When the symptoms became unbearable, he was forced to leave home and seek a more healthful environment where he could begin his recovery. This is an inspirational text for those living with electrical or multiple chemical sensitivity and an educational one for those first learning about these conditions.
This book, written from a patient's perspective, first defines chemical sensitivity, then describes its effects, and discusses strategies for dealing with it. A complete resource listing, information on documenting a case, expert opinions on CS and an examination of the issues are included. An appendix provides detoxification data.
"Imagine living a busy and active life and then having it come to a screeching halt beacuse of extreme chemical sensitivity coupled with electromagnetic sensitivity. That is what happened to the woman who is the subject of this book. She experienced these sensitivities to such an extreme she was not physically able to be in a room with lights, television or a computer and could not be near anyone with cologne, perfume, fabric softener on their clothes, or a cell phone. ... This book tells the story of this woman and the path to healing that she traveled. It is designed to give people in similar circumstances hope that in fact a cure is possible and it provides the step by step framework in which healing can take place."--Page 4 of cover
Chemical sensitivity (or "multiple chemical sensitivity") describes people with numerous troubling symptoms attributed to environmental factors, from simple housepaint to complex building structures and materials in offices and schools. Many such people are seeking special accommodations, applying for disability benefits, and filing lawsuits claiming that exposure to common foods and chemicals has made them ill. Their efforts are supported by some physicians who refer themselves as clinical ecologists. They use questionable diagnoses and treatment methods, while critics charge that these approaches are bogus and that "chemical sensitivity" is not a valid diagnosis. The complaints associated with chemical sensitivity include depression, irritability, poor memory, fatigue, drowsiness, constipation, sneezing, wheezing, skin rashes, headache, chest pain, pounding heart, swelling, upset stomach, paralysis, AIDS-like illnesses, psychotic experiences, and just about every other symptom noted in medical textbooks. One prominent clinical ecologist even claimed that chemical sensitivity patients may well be human "canaries" on an increasingly poisoned planet, and others have actually labeled chemical sensitivity as a disease. While some people are adversely affected by exposure to some chemicals, there is an overwhelming increase in false claims and reports from misled obsessive patients and opportunistic doctors. Chemical Sensitivity examines this phenomenon in depth and the scientific, legal, ethical, and political issues that surround it. The authors explore the speculations about environmental exposure in the light of scientific knowledge of human physiology, allergy and immunology, pathology, toxicology, and clinical medicine. They evaluate cases of chemical sensitivity relative to controlled tests, and reveal that symptoms were brought on by psychological factors rather than physical ones. Chemical Sensitivity also critically assesses claims related to "sick building syndrome," "mercury-amalgam toxicity," "yeast allergy," and Gulf War syndrome.
Written by multidisciplinary experts in medicine, chemistry, and architecture, this book examines chemical sensitivity (CS). In 15 chapters fitted to 15 lectures, it discusses not only the medical explanation, but also the environmental factors of this hypersensitive reaction, such as chemistry and architectural aspects. The book overviews pollution-induced diseases such as Minamata Disease. It also points out the similarity of modern hypersensitivity syndromes to historical pollution diseases from the viewpoints of not only natural scientific aspects, but also social understanding of the disease.
This personal view of multiple chemical sensitivity and environmental illness is supported by research. In a question-and-answer format, the effects of exposure to perfume, smoke, air fresheners, cleaning products, exhaust, and other air contaminants are examined and linked to symptoms such as headaches, allergies, asthma, and fatigue. The book contains additional testimony and reports from 37 sufferers, as well as listings of resources and related scientific articles.
Written by multidisciplinary experts in medicine, chemistry, and architecture, this book examines chemical sensitivity (CS). In 15 chapters fitted to 15 lectures, it discusses not only the medical explanation, but also the environmental factors of this hypersensitive reaction, such as chemistry and architectural aspects. The book overviews pollution-induced diseases such as Minamata Disease. It also points out the similarity of modern hypersensitivity syndromes to historical pollution diseases from the viewpoints of not only natural scientific aspects, but also social understanding of the disease.
Reversibility of Chronic Disease and Hypersensitivity, Volume 4: The Environmental Aspects of Chemical Sensitivity is the fourth of an encyclopedic five-volume set describing the basic physiology, chemical sensitivity, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic degenerative disease studied in a 5x less polluted controlled environment. This text focuses on treatment techniques, strategies, protocols, prescriptions, and technologies. Distinguishing itself from previous works on chemical sensitivity, it explains newly understood mechanisms of chronic disease and hypersensitivity, involving core molecular function. The authors discuss new information on ground regulation system, genetics, the autonomic nervous system, and immune and non-immune functions. The book also includes the latest technology and cutting-edge techniques, numerous figures, and supporting research.
