Root Causes & Treatment of Mast Cell Disease

In this episode of "Pathways to Well-Being," Dr. Lawrence B. Afrin discusses the complexities of diagnosing and treating Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). MCAS presents with a wide range of symptoms across multiple systems, such as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and dermatologic, due to excessive mediator release by mast cells. Diagnosis is challenging due to the variability of symptoms and limited recognition of the disease. Dr. Afrin emphasizes the importance of identifying triggers, understanding testing challenges, and using a personalized approach to treatment, often starting with antihistamines. The goal is to significantly improve patient quality of life, even if complete resolution is not attainable. This underscores the need for persistent and patient-specific treatment strategies, involving trials of different medications and lifestyle adjustments.