History-Taking More Important Than Ever - Letters to the Editor - Letter to the Editor

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  Jan, 2002  

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Editor:

Chronically ill people often go to doctor after doctor seeking the truth about, and relief from, their symptoms. Their blood tests are most often normal, and remedies and medications may temporarily help but, after awhile, they may cause more health problems. One of the reasons that chronically ill people who are food, chemical, and mold sensitive are not correctly diagnosed is because reactions can be delayed. Thus, the connection between the allergen and the reaction is hidden, the exposure continues, and the symptoms become chronic. Thus the patient would have no idea she is allergic. Upon questioning, she would even deny she has sensitivities. Another reason sensitive people are not correctly diagnosed is because they can have a myriad of symptoms not usually considered to be allergic reactions. Therefore, detailed history taking which goes beyond recording the childhood diseases, injuries, surgery and medications currently taken can make a great deal of difference in correctly diagnosing a chronically il l sensitive person.

The EPA recognized in a 1987 study that indoor air pollution is worse than outdoor air pollution, and that exposure to chemicals in building materials, and furnishings, and applied chemicals can cause chemical sensitivity. In January of 1997, the EPA recognized that one of the most widely used pesticides (chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate used in Durshan, Lorsban, and some Black Flag, Raid and lawn care products) was causing "chronic effects in humans, including peripheral neuropathy, chronic neurobehavior and the reported development of a sensitivity to chemicals previously tolerated which is associated with a wide variety of symptoms (my emphasis.) Use of this organophosphate was limited at that time. In June of 2000, the use of this pesticide was restricted further as it was found to still be causing chronic health problems. Therefore, chronically ill patients should be asked if they have moved into a new or newly renovated building (home or office), had new carpet or new pressed board cabinets installed, h ad pest control or have ongoing pest control, a lawn care service, or live near agricultural pesticide drift or in a community which has orhas had a pesteradication program.

Female patients, particularly, should be asked if they are using the new antibacterial cleaning products and hand cleansers, air fresheners, and scented candles. If the patient answers positively to these questions, then food, chemical and mold sensitivity should be explored.. Often these patients find that medications are not helpful and may also cause more health problems. This is because medications are made from synthetic materials, mold and food binders (such as corn sugar, corn starch and lactose) to which they have become sensitive.

The following protocol is recommended to investigate Multiple Chemical Sensitivity:

1. Provocative/Neutralization by an Environmental Physician (conventional allergy testing is not helpful for this kind of sensitivity)

2. A RAST blood test for more immediate reacting foods

3. An ELISA blood test for delayed reactions. The ELISA/ACT blood test done by the Serammune Physicians Laboratory tests for 400 items (food, chemicals and molds).

4. Patient to keep a detailed Diet/Environment Diary*

5. An Elimination Diet*

6. A Four-Day Rotation Diet*

7. Trying a "Cave Man" diet of fresh vegetables and fruits, meat, poultry and fish.

A 1997 DePaul University study of people with MCS and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome found that reading and applying practical information on MCS was near the top of the list on ways to improve health. For example, many chronically ill people will begin to feel better just by not using scented products; eating organic, unprocessed food; cleaning with old-fashioned products such as Bon Ami, baking soda and vinegar; moving to live in clean air and/or using an air purifier indoors.

Janet Dauble, Founder and Director

Share, Care and Prayer, Inc.

P.O. Box 2080

Frazier Park, California 93225 USA

Website: www.sharecareprayer.org

COPYRIGHT 2002 The Townsend Letter Group
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group