special subjects
Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance
Introduction
Idiopathic environmental intolerance involves a wide variety of intermittent symptoms that seem to be triggered by exposure to low levels of several identifiable or unidentifiable substances commonly present in the environment or sometimes to electromagnetic fields. Symptoms may include rapid heart rate, chest pain, sweating, shortness of breath, fatigue, flushing, and dizziness. Tests may be done to rule out allergic disorders as causes of the symptoms. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, avoidance of certain substances, or both. Idiopathic environmental intolerance is usually defined as the development of multiple symptoms that people who have them believe are caused by exposure to any number of identifiable or unidentifiable chemical substances (inhaled, touched, or ingested) or exposure to electromagnetic fields in a person who has no detectable organ dysfunction or related physical abnormalities. Idiopathic environmental intolerance is more common among women than men. In addition, 40% of people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also called systemic exertion intolerance disease or myalgic encephalitis) and 16% of people with Symptoms do not always occur after a person is exposed to a substance, even at levels higher than those that previously seemed to cause symptoms. Also, blood tests do not consistently show activation of the person's immune system. Thus, some doctors consider idiopathic environmental intolerance to have a psychologic cause, probably a type of Somatic Symptom Disorder or an anxiety disorder similar to 