Many of the conditions that co-occur with ADHD, such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and addiction, are well understood. Less clear is ADHD’s curious association with asthma, allergies, autoimmune disorders, gut issues, and hypermobility.
...Inflammation is the body’s natural healing response to injury or infection. It is protective in the short-term, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to serious medical problems. Sources of chronic inflammation include allergies, asthma, eczema, autoimmunity, gut dysfunction and food intolerances, persistent infections, and exposure to toxicity in the environment. It is also linked to enduring stress or trauma, disordered sleep, and diets high in ultra-processed foods. Chronic inflammation increases the chances of developing cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, metabolic disturbances, and other conditions.
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What is MCAS?
Mast cells are incredibly effective at addressing actual threats. In some people, however, they respond too aggressively or erroneously, releasing excessive amounts of chemicals that cause wide-ranging inflammatory and allergic symptoms. Triggers may include:
- Allergens, certain foods, drugs, alcohol
- Infections (e.g., Lyme disease, COVID-19) or fevers
- Hormonal shifts
- Physical stimuli (e.g., trauma, heat/cold)
- Emotional stress
- Toxins (e.g., mold, lead, pesticides, heavy metals, air pollution)
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... Less recognized are its neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, which are often overlooked compared to the allergic reactions.
MCAS Symptoms...
For a diagnosis, a patient must demonstrate repeated episodes of typical symptoms in two or more body systems at once.
How Is MCAS Diagnosed?
It’s possible to formally diagnose MCAS through bloodwork or urine that shows increased levels of chemical mediators, including tryptase. However, it is difficult to capture evidence of mast cell dysfunction because:
- Many mast cell mediators act locally, making it hard to measure systemically
- Many have short half-lives, so testing must be done soon after onset of symptoms
- Specimens must be handled carefully and refrigerated immediately
Patients whose tests are normal may still need treatment if they consistently show characteristic symptoms, and other medical conditions have been ruled out. A convincing response to first-line pharmacological treatments is a good clue to the presence of MCAS.
MCAS Treatment Options
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POTS
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Stomach Issues and ADHD
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Please read the full article on ADDitude.
