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Chemical exposure -

We are all exposed to chemicals in our daily lives. From the clothes we wear, to the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe, we’re constantly inhaling or ingesting them.

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Chemical exposure -

While everyday exposure to dangerous chemicals is indeed low, some consumer products can be potentially toxic, even if we don’t have an instant adverse reaction to them.

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Neurotoxicity -

When we’re exposed to these products, the normal functioning of the nervous system is affected. This is known as neurotoxicity.

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Neurotoxicity -

Neurotoxicants can be natural or man-made. Both can have adverse effects on our nervous system and the brain.

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Toxic products -

Toxic products may include pesticides, cosmetics, air fresheners, and fragrances, as well as industrial and cleaning solvents.

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Toxic products -

Other substances that can be neurotoxic to us include chemotherapy drugs, radiation, heavy metals, and certain food additives.

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Symptoms of neurotoxicity -

Symptoms could occur shortly after being exposed to the substance, or later. These may include short-term memory loss, insomnia, and headaches.

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Symptoms of neurotoxicity -

Other symptoms include cognitive and behavioral problems, limb weakness, numbness or tingling, and sexual dysfunction, among others.

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Diagnosis of neurotoxicity -

A nerve conduction test is usually done to ascertain whether the peripheral nervous system has been affected.

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Diagnosis of neurotoxicity -

Other tests used to detect damage to the brain include a pupillography, a computerized balance heart rate variability assessment, neuropsychological testing, and a brain SPECT scan.

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Treatment of neurotoxicity -

Eliminating exposure to what causes the issue is the first step. Avoiding being exposed to further air, food, and water pollutants also helps.

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Treatment of neurotoxicity -

Other treatments are targeted at managing specific symptoms, but there are more holistic approaches, such as exercise, massage, and the use of immune modulation drugs.

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Toxic encephalopathy -

While many of the harmful effects of toxic chemical exposure are felt in the short term, in the long term neurotoxicity can affect neurons in the brain.

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Toxic encephalopathy -

This disruption (and death) of neurons is known as toxic encephalopathy. Neurons are the cells responsible for transmitting and processing signals in the brain and the nervous system.

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Symptoms of toxic encephalopathy -

Symptoms of toxic encephalopathy vary greatly and may include a loss of neurocognitive function.

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Symptoms of toxic encephalopathy -

In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, toxic encephalopathy can also manifest through symptoms of dementia, seizures, and disturbed visual, auditory, vestibular, or olfactory functions.

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Diagnosis of toxic encephalopathy -

In addition to the tests used in the diagnosis of neurotoxicity, chemical and food provocation/neutralization tests can be prescribed. Other tests include a P450, mitochondrial, and thyroid tests, among others.

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Treatment for toxic encephalopathy -

Other lifestyle changes include avoiding foods with preservatives and other chemicals, drinking filtered water, and performing physical and cognitive exercises.

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Can you be sensitive to lots of chemicals? -

Some people claim to have an environmental intolerance, of unknown cause, known as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) or idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI).

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What is MCS? -

People who suffer from MCS report sensitivity to a variety of chemicals in their environment. These may include chemicals found in food, cleaning products, and medicines.

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Toxic exposure -

Other chemicals that can trigger symptoms include fragrances and smoke, but also other things, such as electromagnetic fields.

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Symptoms of MCS -

People with MCS report a wide variety of symptoms, which are triggered by exposure, namely headaches, fatigue, dizziness, breathing problems, and cold-like symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and sore throat.

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Symptoms of MCS -

Other symptoms may include chest pain, changes in heart rate, skin rash, itching, bloating, confusion, nausea, concentrating and memory problems, as well as muscle pain and mood changes.

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Is it an illness? -

American physician Theron Randolph first suggested MCS to be a disease in 1950, but to this day the World Health Organization (WHO) does not recognize MCS as an illness.

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Is it an illness? -

While the American Medical Association shares the same position as the WHO, MCS has been recognized as a disability in some countries, including Canada and Germany.

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Psychosomatic or organic illness? -

While MCS is a real condition for many people, the scientific community struggles to give it the same validity. “Disagreement over the validity of the disease is partially due to the lack of a distinct set of signs and symptoms, or an accepted cause,” reports The Guardian.

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Psychosomatic or organic illness? -

Despite what the medical community asserts, the truth is that some people do suffer from (sometimes severe) symptoms, so they should be treated with empathy and respect. The condition is indeed very real for these people.

Sources: (ScienceDirect) (The Guardian) (News Medical) (State of Nevada Department of Health & Human Services Aging and Disability Services Division)

See also: How high is your chemical body burden?

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