Do you have reactions to things that otherwise “healthy” people don’t?
This could look like:
- Food sensitivities
- Heat intolerance
- Rashes/hives/itchy skin after eating
- Joint pain
- Tired/wired after too much stimulation, like conversing
- Bloating, abdominal pain, and other digestive discomforts after eating
- Dizzy or light headed after eating
- Heart palpitations
- Congestion after meals
- Frequent throat clearing
- Get stressed easily with changes
- Bothered by lights or sounds
- Smell of paint or gasoline bothers you
- Strong smells, like perfume, bother you
Many of these symptoms are related to hyperactive mast cells, stimulating a histamine release resulting in the above symptoms.
What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?
Also known as MCAS, it’s a condition in which our body’s mast cells have become over-stimulated resulting in increased sensitivity to many things.
Mast cells are a type of white blood cell, and are our body’s first line of defense.
Their job is to sense incoming information from the environment and relay it back to our body to inform us of any “dangers”.
These cells line every part of our body, except our retina. They have over 1,000 mediators and release hundreds of different compounds, one more well known one being histamine.
While histamine can be great for us, in excess, it creates many of the above symptoms and more.
How does MCAS start?
1 in 10 people are affected by this and it’s officially diagnosed by having symptoms in 2 or more body systems.
The key thing to remember here is something stimulated these cells to become hyper active, so when working with your care team it’s important to dive into this! This ultimately identifies the constant trigger.
Common triggers for MCAS:
- Mold
- High toxin load
- Lyme disease
- High viral load, such as EBV
- Chronic SIBO or SIFO
- Emotional or physical trauma
- Consistent stress
How do we treat MCAS?
First and foremost, finding the root cause.
Then calming the mast cells with mast cell stabilizing supplements, slowly! Key word: slow. When things get added too quickly, these cells can sense them as danger and not allow the treatment to work. Worse, it can create a huge flare.
Addressing the nervous system is key here with specific vagal nerve exercises and limbic system support.
Look out for my second email on how to support MCAS with treatment!
Health & happiness,
Dr. Steph
https://stephaniepeacock.com/#
IG & TikTok: @drstephpeacock
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