SICK BUILDING SYNDROME

A disorder known as sick building syndrome is thought to be brought on by spending time in a building or other restricted place. The poor quality of the air within is to blame. Yet it’s unclear what caused it exactly. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that roughly 30% of newly constructed and renovated buildings have poor indoor air quality.

An SBS diagnosis can occasionally be challenging due to the variety of symptoms. They have the ability to mimic several illnesses, including the common cold. The hallmark of SBS is that your signs become better after you leave the problematic building, but they return whenever you go back there. Sick building syndrome may be the reason for persistent symptoms that seem to occur just when you are in a specific building, so you may want to look into it.

SYMPTOMS

The respiratory, nervous, and skin systems are all susceptible to sick building syndrome symptoms. You can wrongly believe you have the flu or a cold.

Among the potential signs are the following:

  • Breathing problems
  • Throat irritation
  • Runny nose
  • Headaches
  • Itchy, dry skin
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Chills
  • Body pain
  • Irritability
  • Problem with concentration
  • Fever
  • Burning sensation in the nose

You can experience symptoms that are worse if you currently have allergies or a respiratory infection.

DIAGNOSIS

Sick building syndrome is diagnosed through a methodical procedure of elimination. Your physician will rule out other ailments, including asthma, cold, or allergies that could resemble the symptoms of a sick building. They will also inquire about your living and working conditions.

You might think about writing down your symptoms in a journal. Note the beginning and ending locations as well as their timing. Moreover, be as descriptive as you can about your symptoms.

TREATMENT

Treatment for sick building syndrome focuses mostly on symptom relief while minimizing exposure to the triggers of these signs.

The itching of the nose, skin, and eyes is lessened with allergy medication. Zyrtec and Benadryl are only a couple of the over-the-counter medications available. If you experience wheezing or other breathing problems, you could need asthma medication. For acute symptoms, an inhaler or long-term medications like leukotriene modifiers may be used.

These procedures can also be performed to manage SBS:

  • Regularly vacuum to get rid of dust.
  • Utilize cleaning supplies without perfumes and with low fumes.
  • Replace air filters every several months.
  • Ask for a test to check for indoor mold or fungus.

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