Do You Feel Ill When You Go to the Office? You Could Have Sick Building Syndrome
SELF Magazine • • health
Key Points:
- Sick building syndrome (SBS) causes symptoms like sneezing, itching, headaches, fatigue, and migraines linked to time spent inside certain buildings, often triggered by poor air quality, lighting, and chemicals.
- Women report SBS symptoms more frequently than men, possibly due to biological factors, immune sensitivity, workplace stress, and environmental preferences such as temperature and lighting.
- There is no official diagnosis for SBS, and symptoms vary by individual sensitivity to irritants like mold, dust, and volatile organic compounds from building materials.
- Managing SBS involves improving ventilation, reducing allergens, adjusting lighting, taking breaks, documenting symptoms, and communicating with employers for potential workspace changes.
- Experts emphasize the importance of recognizing SBS as a legitimate health concern, especially as more people return to office environments post-pandemic.
