REACTIVE INTESTINAL DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME (RIDS) CAUSED BY CHEMICAL EXPOSURES

In this study, the authors describe a new ''reactive syndrome,'' React ive Intestinal Dysfunction Syndrome (RIDS), which has similarities to the previously described clinical syndromes Reactive Airway Dysfunctio n Syndrome (RADS) and Reactive Upper Airway Dysfunction Syndrome (RUDS ). Given that at least 5 neuropeptides are common to both the respirat ory tract and digestive tract, the authors propose that the abnormal s ecretion of these neuropeptides or the abnormal numbers of their recep tors play a role in what is perceived clinically as RADS, RUDS, and RI DS. The relatively large surface areas of both the lungs and gut rende r them especially vulnerable to the environment to which they are expo sed constantly.