Chemical Exposure + Genetic Mutation = Illness
This simple equation is what researchers definitively say caused Gulf War syndrome (GWS) and could be responsible for other "unexplained, multi-symptom health problems in the general population," says Beatrice Golomb, of the University of California San Diego's school of medicine. Golomb authored the review of GWS studies.
What they're referring to here is fibromyalgia (FMS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Golomb says enough studies show a link between chemical exposure and this type of illness that researchers are confident that it can be considered a cause.
Of course, many of us with these conditions haven't been exposed to toxic chemicals, and this isn't being offered as the only cause, just as a verified one.
Also, chemical exposure is only half of the equation. GWS affects between 26% and 32% of the men and women who were given certain pills and exposed to certain chemicals, and some veterans with more chemical exposure didn't get sick. Golomb says it's because some people are genetically less able to tolerate toxins. Researchers believe these people have the same genetic mutation that's been linked to some neurological diseases, including ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
This supports the current prevailing theory that we're genetically predisposed to FMS and ME/CFS, and when we add on other possible causes (chemicals, viral infection, chronic stress, etc.) our bodies can't protect us and we end up sick.
Do you think chemical exposure is part of what caused your health problems? Do you think this evidence will help lead to better treatments? Share your opinions here or in About.com's Fibromyalgia & ME/CFS forum.
Comments
Hmmmm….this is a hard one. I know I suffer from MCS. I had hepatitis as a child. My Fibro symptons started soon after. I have always felt the illness started my progression. Even as a child I was sensitive to chemicals of all kinds. Its kinds of seems like a chicken and egg thing….which came first?
Lots of links to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome treatments are here:-
http://chronicsorethroat.wordpress.com/
I’ve often wondered about the connection myself. When I was a teen we lived near a Research Park (biochemical etc.). Four of my family had cancer and I have had fibro since my late teens. I had no symptoms until after I moved away. I can’t help but wonder how this Research Facility treated it’s waste products back in the late 60’s, before all of the environmental laws were enacted. It’s scary and has been on my mind for a very long time. I do believe we are genetically predisposed, but I also believe something happens to kick it off.
Hip - I went to the link you provided and read your blog as well as the responses. In one you were asked for credentials, but you failed to provide them. I’ve not read any literature citing aggression and behavioral changes as symptoms of CFS/ME. Are you writing your thesis? Just curious.
I think there is definitely a link - not only with chemical exposure, but with other things as well. We recently found out that the house we live in had a serious mold problem in our crawl space. The mold has really affected me and as the mold has been cleaned up my symptoms have improved. I still have fibro and ME/CFS, but the symptoms have improved. My doctor says this explains why I have had pneumonia the last 3 years ( the last time I had legionelles pneumonia and mycoplasma pneumonia). My husband has cleaned up the mold and I made it through the winter this year with no sinus infections and no pneumonia! I have been able to cut two medications out of my regimen and am working on cutting down on a third. So far, so good. It kills me that I have been sick for 22 years and we never even thought of mold. We didn’t know we had it until I started smelling it in our bedroom which is located 2 floors away from the mold. We went on a hunt and found it in the crawl space - I am now a big believer in the effects of mold on the human body. I don’t expect to be cured because an article I read said that the mold can affect you on the cellular level and actually change the makeup of something in the DNA. So, the fibro and ME/CFS are probably permanent, but I’ll settle for the improvement I’ve been experiencing.
I do think chemicals effect and/or cause FM. It wasn’t until a work injury, failed back surgery, and multitude of medications that I developed FM and all its nasty friends.
Now I am so sensitive to so many things
it is unbelievable. It’s difficult to go
places because of odd odors, perfumes,
new carpet smells, bug sprays, etc. (you know the drill). Add to these the migraine triggers I have had for many years before the injury and it is hard to go outside my home. Work (an elementary school)is one of the worst places.
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