Mast Cell &
Histamine Concerns

• Facial flushing, facial swelling around the eyes or lips

• Itching, rashes, hives

• Nasal itching, congestion, runny nose

• Shortness of breath, wheezing

• Throat itching, swelling, soreness, post-nasal drip

• Headaches

• Cognitive issues like anxiety, depression, irritability, forgetfulness/brain fog

• Gastrointestinal issues: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, poor digestion, reflux

• Cardiovascular issues: low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, chest pains

• Uterine cramps/pain

• First, we find the why behind your chronic symptoms. Lab testing is highly recommended if you have not already had a workup.

• Looking outside the box. The box is the mast cell & the histamine issues, BUT my role as a trained naturopathic doctor is to look at all the pathways and systems that trigger the mast cells. 

• This means looking at gut health, environmental toxins (eg pesticides, mold), chronic infections (eg EBV, CMV, Lyme), hormone health, autoimmunity, and underlying deficiencies. 

• You'll be given a comprehensive plan with diet, supplement, and lifestyle interventions to help you start feeling better.

• Regular check-ins. I'll make sure you get the support you need to ensure you're on the right track. Trust me, I know what it's like to have these symptoms and that is why I'm passionate about helping people heal from them!

• Healing from mast cell issues is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, but you can heal.

Awareness of mast cell related illness is becoming more common. Mast Cell Activation Disorder (MCAD) is an umbrella term for mast cell conditions: mast cell activation syndrome, mastocytosis, and mast cell leukemia. The latter 2 are much more rare. And, all of these conditions must be assessed and worked up by an allergist. They are able to do bloodwork, specific urine collections, and even bone marrow biopsy (when indicated) to formally diagnose MCAD conditions.

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Unsurprisingly people with mast cell issues can have a variety of symptoms due to their mast cells breaking open and releasing their contents. Mast cells are most well known for their release of histamine, however, they actually contain numerous different biological molecules that have wide-ranging effects. For example, mast cells also contain heparin which is a blood thinner3. They also contain serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that impacts central nervous system response and cognitive function. 

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Furthermore, in addition to MCAS, mastocytosis, and mast cell leukemia there are people that have histamine intolerances that are not diagnosed with MCAD conditions. They often have symptoms related to mast cell release but responses are typically less severe.

I'm here to help! Let's get you on the schedule so we can discuss your symptoms and develop a plan to get you better.

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• Stress: emotional, physical, including pain, or environmental

• Physical activity/exercise

• Exhaustion

• Different types of drugs (opioids, NSAIDs, antibiotics and some local anesthetics) and contrast dyes

• Natural odors, chemical odors, perfumes and scents

• Venoms (snakes, spiders, insects)

• Infections (viral, bacterial or fungal)

• Mechanical irritation, friction, vibration

• Sun/sunlight

• Temperature changes: heat/cold