Sick building syndrome (also termed environmental illness, building-related illness [BRI], or multiple chemical sensitivity [MCS]) is considered by some clinicians to be an illness in some people after they are exposed to as yet undefined chemical, biological, or physical agents that are thought to be found in building(s).
The term was first used in 1986 and has been controversial ever since. BRI (building-related illness) is becoming the more accepted term used in the medical literature.
Sick building syndrome has no known cause, however, known causes of illness such as lead poisoning, formaldehyde fumes, and many others have been associated with individual buildings.
What is sick building syndrome?
- Sick building syndrome is believed by some to be an illness caused by unknown agents in buildings.
- Sick building syndrome is a controversial subject because many experts do not think it is a true syndrome.
- Sick building syndrome has no known cause, however, known causes of illness such as lead poisoning, formaldehyde fumes, and many others have been associated with individual buildings.
- For those who believe the syndrome is real, many risk factors are cited.
- Many nonspecific symptoms cited for the syndrome fit no pattern.
- There are no diagnostic tests for the syndrome.
- There is no specific treatment for the syndrome.
- Complications of the alleged syndrome range from increased symptoms to the inability to tolerate being inside a certain building and the problems, many jobs related, that may occur.
- The prognosis of an alleged syndrome is unclear, but symptomatic treatments may reduce problems and result in a fair to good prognosis — so may treatment of known causes of building-related problems like formaldehyde and paint fumes, and many others.
- Prevention is difficult in a syndrome without a known cause, no diagnostic tests, and no defined treatments, but the Environmental Protection Agency provides prevention methods to address known disease problems that can be diagnosed and are known to be related to air-moving systems and construction materials used in buildings.
Sick Building Syndrome Symptoms & Signs
As stated above, there is controversy about sick building syndrome, and the controversy is demonstrated by the medical literature about its cause(s). Those who believe it is a true disease syndrome have only speculated that the cause(s) are multiple and depend on the patient’s medical condition (for example, asthma, COPD, nosebleeds etc ) and how the compounds in the building (cigarette smoke, chemical outgassing from structural components such as formaldehyde, paint odor, and radon, or biologics such as bacteria and fungi, black mold, or indoor houseplants) interact with the person. Proponents further speculate that patients with the syndrome may be more sensitive to low concentrations of some compounds and may have heightened immune responses to such compounds. Further, proponents suggest depression and anxiety may play a role in this syndrome.
Others who say there is no evidence for this syndrome agree that certain chemicals, biologics, and physical agents found in some buildings, factories, stores etc can cause disease, but once these are identified (for example, lead, Legionnaires’ disease, asbestos), then the disease is identified and is not a new “syndrome”.
In my opinion, said Dr Qaisar Ahmed, it (sick building syndrome) exists, it may be a single disease and/or allergic reaction or could be the combination of few diseases and/or allergies. There are different types of fumes, gases, dusts (especially Wollen dust, nylon and many other non-organic fiber dust etc), permanent air-conditioning and/or lake of proper ventilation etc are the cause for the sick building syndrome.
Risk factors for sick building syndrome
The following as some of the major risk factors:
- Spending much time in a building (such as office workers) that causes some or many of the nonspecific symptoms.
- Heightened sensitivity to environmental antigens.
- Have one or more diagnosed medical problems (for example, asthma, skin diseases etc).
- Heightened sensitivity to smell.
- Depression
- Anxiety
Symptoms and signs
Proponents of the sick building syndrome agree that people considered to have the syndrome may exhibit any number of nonspecific symptoms that may be increased when the person is associated with certain buildings. The symptoms are as follows:
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Bloating.
- Diarrhea.
- Gastritis.
- Hoarseness cough.
- Sore throat.
- Sneezing.
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pains.
- Cardiac arrhythmias.
- Dizziness.
- Fatigue.
- Muscle discomfort (stiffness, pain, cramps, aches).
- Congestion.
- Itching.
- Skin rashes.
- Eye irritation
- Swelling of legs, trunk, and/or ankles.
- Mental changes (problems with concentration, memory, moods etc).
Diagnosis
LFTs, CBC, IGg and IGm are the main test I (Dr Qaisar Ahmed) advice to my patients.
Allopathic treatment for sick building syndrome 
In allopathy there are no proven treatments for this disease, because in allopathy there is not any proper/permanent treat for any kind of allergy.
However, some allopath reports a reduction of patients’ nonspecific symptoms by prescribing antidepressants (for example, fluoxetine, paroxetine) or medications for anxiety or medications to help individuals sleep better by advising sedatives.
Symptomatic treatment provides patients symptom reduction or relief (for example, medication for nausea or headaches).
Prognosis of sick building syndrome
With allopathic treatment there is no known cause(s), no way to perform a definitive diagnosis, and the prognosis is unclear.
However, with Homeopathic treatment prognosis for sick building disease is very good, after proper Homeopathic treatment patient can live without any disease/problems and without any allergies for years.
Homeopathic treatment for Sick Building syndrome
For sick building disease I (Dr Qaisar Ahmed) suggest symptomatic treatment.
Below are few links for different disease and their proper Homeopathic treatments:
- Respiratory tract and skin diseases and allergies – Click Here, Here and Here. ????
- Depression, anxiety – Click Here.
- Schizophrenia, Phobias – Click Here.
- Indigestion, gastritis etc – Click Here.
- Diarrhea, Intestinal diseases – Click here.
- Asthma – Click Here.
- Heart diseases – Click Here.
P. S: This article is only for doctors having good knowledge about Homeopathy and allopathy, for learning purpose(s).
For proper consultation and treatment, please visit our clinic.
None of above-mentioned medicine(s) is/are the full/complete treatment, but just hints for treatment; every patient has his/her own constitutional medicine.
To order medicine by courier, please send your details at WhatsApp– +923119884588
Dr. Sayyad Qaisar Ahmed (MD {Ukraine}, DHMS), Abdominal Surgeries, Oncological surgeries, Gastroenterologist, Specialist Homeopathic Medicines.
Senior research officer at Dnepropetrovsk state medical academy Ukraine.
Location: Al-Haytham clinic, Umer Farooq Chowk Risalpur Sadder (0923631023, 03119884588), K.P.K, Pakistan.
Find more about Dr Sayed Qaisar Ahmed at:
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