Gastrointestinal Manifestations of MCAS with Dr. Leonard Weinstock as part of the Mast Cell Matters series

In this episode of the Mast Cell Matters series, Dr. Leonard Weinstock, a gastroenterologist and expert on Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), discusses the gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of MCAS with Dr. Tania Dempsey. They focus on symptoms like bloating, gas, and their overlap with conditions such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO). Dr. Weinstock elaborates on how MCAS can cause systemic symptoms by releasing inflammatory chemicals through the bloodstream. He describes his treatment approach, which includes nonpharmacological strategies such as dietary modifications (gluten-free, dairy-free, low-histamine), and pharmacological treatments including low-dose naltrexone (LDN) and cromolyn. They discuss how LDN is used to moderate inflammatory responses in MCAS. Moreover, they highlight the challenges in diagnosing MCAS, particularly the variability of symptoms, and the limitations of current diagnostic criteria such as tryptase levels. Dr. Weinstock advises patients to be their own advocates and seek out knowledgeable healthcare practitioners. Additionally, the episode touches on related conditions like restless leg syndrome and interstitial cystitis, noting that these comorbidities often occur in MCAS patients.