The Link Between Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Chronic Illness

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a complex immunological condition characterized by the abnormal activation of mast cells, which are crucial players in the body’s allergic response. Often overlooked or misdiagnosed, MCAS can manifest in various forms, affecting multiple organ systems and presenting symptoms that mimic those of other diseases. Unlike traditional allergies, MCAS may not always involve histamine-related issues, complicating diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Eric Gordon sits down with Dr. Tania Dempsey to discuss the complex nature of MCAS and how to begin understanding the steps toward healing.

Episode highlights include:

• What happens when mast cells become dysfunctional?
• MCAS beyond allergies, histamine, and rashes.
• What are the criteria for MCAS?
• Symptoms and MCAS-related diseases.
• You can have MCAS without histamine problems.
• The different mediators that most doctors don’t measure or don’t realize even exist. (there are over 1000 mediators)
• A comprehensive approach to testing.

About Tania Dempsey, MD

Dr. Tania Dempsey, MD, ABIHM is Board-Certified in Internal Medicine and Integrative and Holistic Medicine. She received her MD degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and her BS degree from Cornell University. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at New York University Medical Center.

Dr. Dempsey is a leading expert in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Dysautonomia, ME/CFS, Tick-Borne Infections and Autoimmunity. She is a newly elected member of the Board of Directors of ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society), a faculty member of the ILADS Vector-Borne Illness Fundamentals course, and a frequent presenter at their annual conferences. She is also a member of the U.S. ME/CFS Clinician Coalition, the American Academy of Ozonotherapy, and the American College of Physicians.

She is an accomplished international speaker, writer and thought leader. She is well published in the medical literature on topics related the MCAS and was a co-author of a chapter titled “Urogynecology and Hypermobility” in the 2020 book, Disjointed Navigating the Diagnosis and Management of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders. She was involved in a research study in collaboration with the TILT team at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio which led to the publication: Mast cell activation may explain many cases of chemical intolerance. She is also a co-author on the groundbreaking paper, Diagnosis of mast cell activation syndrome: a global “consensus-2”.

Her most recent paper from August 2023 is titled: Learned cautions regarding antibody testing in mast cell activation syndrome.

Learn more about Dr. Dempsey at www.drtaniadempsey.com