idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI)

Includes disorders attributed to: 1) allergies to foods & food additives 2) air pollutants 3) toxins produced by infectious agents 4) sick building syndrome 5) electromagnetic radiation 6) multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome 7) candidiasis hypersensitivity syndrome Etiology: 1) sleep disturbance 2) psychiatric disorder 3) idiopathic Clinical manifestations: 1) headache 2) abdominal discomfort with diarrhea or constipation or both 3) weakness 4) muscle pain & tenderness 5) nasal congestion 6) forgetfulness 7) fatigue 8) physical examination is generally unremarkable Laboratory: nondiagnostic Management: - avoid excessive diagnostic testing, especially testing that places patient at risk

Specific

candidiasis hypersensitivity syndrome multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (MCSS) sick building syndrome

References

Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998