Getting to Know the Signs and Symptoms of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic disorder characterized by the overproduction of mast cells, which leads to a wide range of physical symptoms. It is a condition that is often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all, leading to a long and difficult road to diagnosis and treatment. In this blog post, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of MCAS, how to recognize them, how to diagnose MCAS, the available treatments, coping strategies, and support groups and resources for people with MCAS. Introduction to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic disorder that is characterized by an overproduction of mast cells. Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that play an important role in the body’s immune system. They are responsible for producing and releasing chemicals that help protect the body from foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. However, when mast cells become overactive, they can produce excessive amounts of these chemicals, leading to a wide range of physical symptoms. People with MCAS are often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. This is because the signs and symptoms of MCAS can mimic those of other conditions, such as allergies and chronic fatigue syndrome. Additionally, MCAS is a relatively new condition, and not all doctors are familiar with it. As a result, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of MCAS and to seek out medical advice if they are present. What are the signs and symptoms of MCAS? The signs and symptoms of MCAS can vary from person to person and can be mild to severe. Common MCAS symptoms include: Skin rashes and itching Digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain Fatigue Headaches and migraines Muscle and joint pain Difficulty breathing Anxiety and depression Low blood pressure Dizziness and fainting Flushing of the skin These symptoms can be triggered by a variety of factors, such as stress, certain foods, temperature changes, and certain medications. It is important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so it is important to consult a doctor if these symptoms are present. How to recognize the signs and symptoms of MCAS The key to recognizing the signs and symptoms of MCAS is to be aware of how your body reacts to different triggers. Pay attention to how your body responds to certain foods, medications, environmental triggers, and stressors. If you notice that your symptoms become worse after being exposed to a certain trigger, it may be a sign of MCAS. Additionally, pay attention to how long your symptoms last and if they occur in a pattern. If you notice a pattern of symptoms recurring, it could be a sign of MCAS. It is also important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and any other conditions that you may have. Your doctor can help to determine if your symptoms could be caused by MCAS or another condition. Additionally, your doctor can help to rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms and refer you to a specialist for further evaluation and testing. Diagnosing MCAS To be considered an MCAS patient, you must fulfill three criteria as outlined in the guidelines: 1) experience symptoms that appear in two or more bodily systems and arise without any other health issues; 2) show heightened levels of mediator markers when blood or urine tests are taken during an episode; and 3) be relieved from symptoms when taking medications that impede the effect of mast cell mediators. Treatment options for MCAS Treating MCAS conventionally centers around counteracting the effects of mast cell mediators. Commonly prescribed medications are anti-histamines, which repress the activity of histamines, mast cell stabilizers, which control mast cells from releasing their mediators, and antileukotrienes, which prevent leukotrienes, another kind of mast cell mediator, from doing their job. These medicines may alleviate the symptoms, but they do not address the source of why the mast cells are overreacting. Thus, once an individual stops taking the medication, the symptoms are likely to come back. In contrast, the natural approach to MCAS looks to restore the normal functioning of the mast cells. This involves focusing on several aspects, such as diet (e.g. low-histamine or anti-inflammatory diets to reduce the mediator load), using certain nutrients that are natural mast cell stabilisers and stress managment (corticotropin hormone, released when under stress, destabilizes mast cells, hence, a stress-management practice is essential to managing MCAS). To truly bring mast cells back into equilibrium and alleviate MCAS, one must take action to address the underlying triggers of mast cell activation. Improving gut health, enhancing the immune system, and boosting the body’s detoxification processes are essential aspects of this process. Taking the time and energy to pursue this course of action with the assistance of a Functional Medicine Practitioner is highly recommended.
Digestive Health
DIGESTIVE HEALTH The clinic focus is around Digestive Health including SIBO, IBS, Candida, IBD, acid reflux, and other digestive conditions by addressing the root cause of your digestive symptoms. VIEW DIGESTIVE COnditons BACKGROUND My passion for digestive health came about from own struggles with chronic gastrointestinal issues over a number of years. After coming back from traveling to Indonesia nearly 10 years ago, I ended up getting a number of digestive issues including bloating, excessive gas, alternating constipation and diarrohea, fatigue, memory loss, insomnia, depression amongst other symptoms. Initially I went down the conventional route which ended me getting them a number of prescriptions but no improvement in symptoms. I then started working with a nutrionist and functional medicine practitioner and found out that I had triple parasite infection and a yeast overgrowth. Once I got rid of infection and optimized my gut function, my health returned to normal and haven’t looked back since. Digestive health is the cornerstone of good health and once this is optimized you can see an improvement in most health conditions. OVERVIEW Digestive Disorders encompass a wide range of conditions, from autoimmune issues like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis to infections (SIBO & Candida), food allergies and sensitivities. Unfortunately, conventional treatment take a narrow view and tend to treat symptoms and are quick to confirm a diagnosis of IBS without looking for the root cause that has led to gut dysfunction. Although things are very slowly improving, there is a still lack of awareness on how extensive the influence of the microbiome has on overall health as well as many symptoms unrelated to digestive health such as fatigue, depression, acne and skin conditions. Reseach has linked neurological conditions like depression, Austism, ADHD and Parkinson’s disease to a disruption in the gut microbiome. I look to identify digestive dysfunction as well as microbiome imbalances such as SIBO and look to restore a healthy balance to trillions of bacteria that live in the GI tract and by doing so, I look to enhance patients’ quality of life. Not only does digestive function improve, but patients also experience less fatigue, better sleep, improved mental focus amongst others, all from healing the gut. TO CHANge This section? Intestinal permeability is a gastrointestinal condition in the intestines and digestive tract. When you suffer from this condition, your digestive system cannot gain vital nutrition from your food. This means there is a dysfunction of the gastrointestinal system, often causing pain and discomfort and potentially leading to other severe conditions. The symptoms of intestinal permeability include: Food sensitivity Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Autoimmune disease Malabsorption of nutrients Inflammatory skin conditions Thyroid problems Mood swings Bloating Allergies Migraines THE IMMUNE SYSTEM EXPLAINED Our microbiome are an essential component in maintaining gut health and in the prevention of disease. We know from the research show the connection between the health of the microbiome and the state of a person’s health and the ability to fend off disease and how these mechanisms work. A huge proportion of your immune system is actually in your GI tract, up to 70% according to research. Our immune system is on constant alert with extermal pathogens that are always trying to get inside our bodies. And the first line of defense is the immune system which are in constant communication with our bacterial. For example, certain immune cells in the lining of the GI tract spend their lives excreting massive amounts of antibodies into the gut. The complex defense system tries to prevent any external pathogen to get a foothold in your gut and disrupt your health. The immune system along with our microbes have shown to be closely connected leading the fight against invading microbes and toxins. WHAT CAUSES AN IMBALANCE iN THE GUT MICROBIOME There are different factors that stress the digestive function and throw it out of balance. Some comon causes include the past use of antibiotics, extended use of antacids and proton-pump inhibitors which reduce stomach acid production. However, one of the biggest causes is generally related back to a trigger point in someones life when they experienced an extended period of stress. Stress can negatively impact several areas of the digestive system and once we start working on what caused initial imbalance and treat the accompanying dysfunction, we are able to restore digestive function. Nutrition plays a critical role in the health of the microbiome. Certain foods can be very inflammatory and can promote the growth of unhealthy bacteria and contribute to leaky gut, in which undigested proteins pass through an inflamed and damaged intestinal wall and triggers system-wide inflammation. Conversely, not eating enough of the foods required to nourish the microbiome can also lead to digestive disorders. Other factors include Bacterial infections such as Klebsiella, Citrobacter Parasitic infections such as Blastocystis hominis and Dientameba fragilis Fungal infections such as Candida Poor absorption of nutrients and intestinal permeability Not chewing food properly Low levels of commensurate bacteria(good bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium ) M Y APPROACH My approach will vary with each patient based on their symptoms, history, diet and lifestyle. I aim to identify the root cause of gut dysfunction and the core imbalances that are interfering with your body’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients. I see a lot of clients improve immeasurably with some simple changes to diet that optimizes certain area of the gut, however, chronic conditions will warrant a lot more investigations. The importance of maintaining good gut health is of paramount importance to remain healthy and improving ones quality of like. Although, not all roads lead back to the gut, most do and once the gut heals, some of the most chronic and debilitating symptoms can improve and reverse. Often, these symptoms are outside of the digestive tract such as anxiety, depression and chronic skin conditions. By using a personalized approach and using the tools & strategies have developed as a nutrionist, I am able to give a balanced approach to optimizing digestive health. How It works at the Clinic At your first appointment, I will look to do in-depth assessment to understand your health history, nutrition, genetics, and lifestyle affect your digestive health and symptoms. Where needed we can recommend specific tests to provider a more accurate analysis of what is happening with your digestive system. Recommendations are
