Environmental Sensitivities or Intolerances (ES) / Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is an acquired environment linked condition.
It’s sometimes associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
Symptoms
ES/MCS symptoms involve:
Having a relatively strong sense of smell
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling dull or groggy
Feeling spacey
Symptoms may also include:
Cough
Fast or irregular heart beat
Achy muscles and joints
Nervousness
Rashes
Nausea, diarrhea or constipation
Balance and coordination problems
Burning and irritated eyes
Headaches
Frequent or urgent urination
Irritability and depressed mood
Stuffy or runny nose
Characteristics of ES/MCS include:
- Reproducible symptoms with repeated chemical exposure and to multiple chemically-unrelated substances
- Chronic condition
- Symptom manifestation upon low levels of exposure (lower than previously or commonly tolerated)
- Symptom improvement or resolution when the incitants are removed
- Symptoms involving multiple organ systems
Information is in accordance to the 1999 consensus definition on MCS (in the Archives of Environmental Health) and the report Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Discriminant Validity of Case Definitions ((in the Archives of Environmental Health–2001:56(5)406 412).