ALLERGIES AND CHEMICAL REACTIONS

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ALLERGIES AND CHEMICAL REACTIONS

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Grace Ziem, M.D., DR. P.H.

 

Allergies have been defined by physicians as reactions to substances by

formation of rapid-acting antibodies known as IgE, which is immunoglobulin E.

Persons who have allergies to substances like mold, pollen, dander, or dust

often have this form of reaction. Molds release volatile organic compounds that

are similar to those found in sick buildings and these can also cause

reactions to molds that are not what physicians describe as a true allergy.

Molds can

also release mycotoxins, causing a toxic type of reaction, which is not an

allergy. Of course, an individual can react to mold with a combination of

these types of reactions. There are also certain chemicals that induce the

production of IgE antibodies and these are considered chemical allergens.

Examples

include formaldehyde, isocyanates, and a limited number of other chemicals.

Formaldehyde and isocyanates are also potent irritants and can irritate the

respiratory tract without a true allergy reaction, in other words, without the

presence of IgE antibodies. IgE antibodies are typically formed to a

particular substance or group of substances. For example, there are many

isocyanates

that have a very similar chemical structure to each other, and a person who

has developed IgE antibodies to one isocyanate may also have an IgE reaction

to other isocyanates.

Many chemical reactions however, do not involve the production of IgE

antibodies and therefore are not strictly speaking an allergy. Individuals who

have

become chronically ill or who have frequent symptoms in the presence of

various chemical pollutants often have increased inflammation of their

respiratory tract. Chemicals that are irritants can exacerbate this

inflammation,

causing a chemical reaction of illness symptoms, which is not an allergy

because

it does not involve the production of antibodies. This does not make it less

serious or less real, but simply means that the body is reacting in a

different manner. Virtually all petrochemical substances are irritants. There

are

other chemicals, which are not derived from petroleum or coal, which are also

irritants. Chlorine, products containing chlorine, and ammonia are examples of

potent irritants, which are not derived from petroleum or~ coal but are still

irritating to the respiratory tract. It is important to remember that there

is no barrier between the nose and the brain. This is because the nerve

involved in detecting smell, the olfactory nerve, is actually a direct

extension

of the brain with nerve endings in the lining of the nose. Studies have

documented that chemicals and even toxic metals are capable of entering the

brain

by passing along the olfactory nerve. Thus, the concept of a blood brain

barrier that helps to limit substances entering the brain does not apply when

chemicals are breathed into the nose. This is one reason that reactions to

chemicals can occur so rapidly. There are other ways in which an individual can

react to chemicals. The detoxification system may be impaired, occasionally

genetically but more commonly because of past toxic exposure, and the

individual

may have more difficulty detoxifying. This can cause them to have reactions

at dosage levels that would be less of a problem for healthy individuals with

normal detoxification. It is important to recall that the vast majority of

pharmaceutical agents are derived from petrochemicals and must be detoxified by

the body using the detoxification system. Therefore, an individual who has

impaired detoxification may have more difficulty tolerating medications,

particularly those that share a detoxification pathway that has become deficient

(for example, from a past significant chemical exposure). Toxic exposure of

certain chemicals can cause a delayed immune reaction, which is not referred to

as an allergy since it does not involve IgE, but does involve the immune

system. This is another mechanism of chemical intolerance. Another mechanism,

which has been scientifically documented, is a sensitizing process that

involves the brain, referred to as neural sensitization. This renders the brain

more

susceptible to toxic exposure. Some individuals may also have brain changes

referred to by scientists as kindling or near kindling. This involves a brain

response in which the person has seizures or seizure-like activity following

exposure to chemicals. It has also been demonstrated that individuals who

have toxic exposure can have reduced blood supply to the brain. When this is

present, the individuals may have chronic difficulty with thinking, memory,

concentrating, and other brain functions. Challenge studies show that

individuals like this have a significant further drop in the blood supply to

their

brain when they have even modest exposures such as a whiff of perfume, air

fresheners, and other substances which by history are known to affect

individuals

with chemical intolerance, sometimes referred to as heightened sensitivity to

chemicals. The mechanisms of chemical intolerance can cause relatively rapid

reaction to pollutants, sometimes only delayed reactions, and often

reactions which have certain symptoms present more quickly and other symptoms

developing later. For example, an individual may experience headache and/or

irritation of the nose, throat, or chest as a more prompt symptom. This

inflammation

can then cause release into the blood stream of substances which increase

fatigue and aching, which are often more delayed effects of an exposure. It is

important that people understand that chemical intolerances are a real medical

problem, which has been supported by a significant amount of research and

scientific study. Multiple studies confirm that reducing exposure in the

environment, which includes but is not limited to leaving an area when symptoms

occur, is important for long term well being.

There are four studies in the medical literature which confirm that reduced

exposure is a major factor in the long-term outcome of patients who have

become chemically sensitive: Dr. Michael Lax,’ an occupational medicine

physician, found that his patients who had environmental controls did much

better than

patients without adequate environmental controls.

A survey of 305 persons with chemical sensitivity by DePaul University2

found that they experienced much greater relief from environmental controls and

reducing exposure than with any form of treatment, and that the use of

tranquilizing agents was actually less effective than meditation and prayer~

The third study was conducted by Dr. Leonard Jason3 who found that

individuals who were chemically sensitive who had relatively nontoxic housing

had much

better long term health than those that did not have adequate environmental

controls in their housing. This is because once chemical sensitivity is

induced; it can be exacerbated by exposures at work, at home, or elsewhere.

A fourth study of 206 chemically hypersensitive patients by Dr. Miller and

colleagues4 found that reducing exposure to chemicals was very helpful for 71

%, but only 17% of the patients who used psychological or psychiatric

services/treatment found those to be very helpful.

1 MB Lax, PK Henneberger, “Patients with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities in

an Occupational Health Clinic: Presentation and Followupâ€, Archiv. Env.

Health 50:425-431, 1995.

2 Treatment efficacy, a survey of 305 MCS patients,†The CFIDS Chronicle-

Winter 1996, pp. 52-53.

3 T.H. Davis, L.A. Jason, and M.A. Danghart, “The Effect of Housing on

Individuals With Multiple Chemical Sensitivities,†Archiv. Environ. Health.

50:425-431, 1995.

4 C.S. Miller, “Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndromeâ€, J. Occup. Env.

Med.. 37:1323, 1995.

Courtesy of Peggy Trioana_www.mcsbeaconofhope.com_

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