Not getting used to the smell – Chemical intolerance as lack of habituation

2017 ◽  
Vol 129 ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Linus Andersson ◽  
Anna-Sara Claeson
Keyword(s):  
i-Perception ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 204166952097842
Author(s):  
Linus Andersson ◽  
Petra Sandberg ◽  
Elisabeth Åström ◽  
Moa Lillqvist ◽  
Anna-Sara Claeson

Chemical intolerance is a surprisingly prevalent condition or affliction characterized by adverse reactions to low levels of chemical, often odorous stimulation. Sufferers often assume that their plight is due to an uncommon sensory acuteness, yet studies repeatedly fail to reveal altered detection thresholds. Here, we investigated whether self-reported chemical intolerance is associated with altered sensory sensitivity or response bias. The sensory acuity (sensitivity; A) and sensory decision rule (criterion; B) to n-butanol was assessed using the method of constant stimuli in 82 participants with different degrees of chemical intolerance (low to high). Higher self-reported chemical intolerance was associated with a lower criterion, but not with sensitivity.


2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (41) ◽  
pp. 24-29
Author(s):  
BETTE HILEMAN
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Gesualdo M. Zucco ◽  
Richard L. Doty

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), a condition also known as Chemical Sensitivity (CS), Chemical Intolerance (CI), Idiopathic Environmental Illness (IEI) and Toxicant Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT), is an acquired multifactorial syndrome characterized by a recurrent set of debilitating symptoms. The symptoms of this controversial disorder are reported to be induced by environmental chemicals at doses far below those usually harmful to most persons. They involve a large spectrum of organ systems and typically disappear when the environmental chemicals are removed. However, no clear link has emerged among self-reported MCS symptoms and widely accepted objective measures of physiological dysfunction, and no clear dose-response relationship between exposure and symptom reactions has been observed. In addition, the underlying etiology and pathogenic processes of the disorder remain unknown and disputed, although biologic and psychologic hypotheses abound. It is currently debated whether MCS should be considered a clinical entity at all. Nevertheless, in the last few decades MCS has received considerable scientific and governmental attention in light of the many persons reporting this illness. In this review, we provide a general overview of the history, definition, demographics, prevalence, and etiologic challenges in defining and understanding MCS.


2008 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Fiedler ◽  
Kathie Kelly-McNeil ◽  
Pamela Ohman-Strickland ◽  
Junfeng Zhang ◽  
John Ottenweller ◽  
...  

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e71241
Author(s):  
Marie Thi Dao Tran ◽  
Jesper Elberling ◽  
Sine Skovbjerg ◽  
Nikolaj Drimer Berg ◽  
Heidi Søsted ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

1998 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 376-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris R Bell ◽  
Gary E Schwartz ◽  
Elizabeth E Hardin ◽  
Carol M Baldwin ◽  
John P Kline

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond F Palmer ◽  
Carlos Roberto Jaén ◽  
Roger B. Perales ◽  
Rodolfo Rincon ◽  
Jacqueline Viramontes ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The 50-item Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) is a validated questionnaire used worldwide to assess intolerances to chemicals, foods, and/or drugs and has become the gold standard for assessing chemical intolerance (CI). Despite a reported prevalence of 8-33%, CI often goes undiagnosed in epidemiological studies and routine primary care. To enhance the QEESI’s utility, we developed the Brief Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (BREESI) as a 3-item CI screening instrument. We tested the BREESI’s potential to predict whether an individual is likely to respond adversely to structurally unrelated chemicals, foods, and drugs. Methods: We recruited 286 adult participants from a university-based primary care clinic and through online participation. The positive and negative predictive values of the BREESI items were calculated against the full QEESI scores. Results: 90% of participants answering “yes” to all three items on the BREESI were classified as very suggestive of CI based upon the QEESI chemical intolerance and symptom scores both ≥ 40 (positive predictive value = 90%). For participants endorsing two items, 92% were classified as either very suggestive (39%) or Suggestive (53%) of CI (positive predictive value = 87%). Of those endorsing only one item, only 13% were found to be very suggestive of CI. However, 70% were classified as Suggestive. Of those answering “No” to all of the BREESI items, 99% were classified as not suggestive of CI (i.e., negative predictive value = 99%). Conclusions: The BREESI is a versatile screening tool for rapidly determining potential CI, with clinical and epidemiological applications. Together, the validated BREESI and QEESI provide much needed diagnostic tools that will help inform treatment protocols and teach health care professionals about Toxicant Induced Loss of Tolerance – the mechanism driving CI.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 1554
Author(s):  
Kenichi Azuma* ◽  
Iwao Uchiyama ◽  
Takahiko Katoh ◽  
Hiromitsu Ogata ◽  
Keiichi Arashidani ◽  
...  

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