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Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

Successfully diagnose and treat MCAS with a personalized, root-cause approach.

Addressing Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

With Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), a complex and often misunderstood condition, you may experience a broad range of symptoms—ranging from chronic fatigue and digestive discomfort to neurological issues like memory loss and poor concentration. These symptoms stem from the inappropriate activation and degranulation of your mast cells, which release histamine and other immune mediators, triggering inflammation throughout your body.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, image of a woman looking at the red patches on her right arm with her left hand placed on her right arm.

Diagnosing MCAS can be challenging because symptoms often mimic or overlap with other conditions such as chronic inflammatory response syndrome or environmental illness. Many conventional medical approaches focus narrowly on symptom management without identifying or addressing the root causes, leaving you without lasting relief. This diagnostic complexity underscores the need for a comprehensive, metabolically directed evaluation to uncover the true origins of your condition.

At Michael Rothman MD, we take a functional and metabolic medicine approach to MCAS. Our comprehensive methodology investigates the multiple potential triggers contributing to your symptoms. By examining your dietary habits, environmental exposures, immune function, and metabolic status, we craft a personalized treatment plan aimed at restoring your health from the inside out. This holistic strategy is designed to not only alleviate your current symptoms but also help prevent long-term damage to many of your body’s systems.

Ready to Take Control of Your Health?

If you are experiencing symptoms of mast cell activation syndrome and are seeking effective, metabolically directed treatments, contact us online or call (732) 268-7663 for a consultation.

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What are the Symptoms of MCAS?

The symptoms of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome can vary significantly from person to person. Because mast cells are involved in many systems of your body, MCAS can affect you in multiple ways. Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Increased Mucus Secretion: Excessive production of mucus, leading to sinus congestion and respiratory discomfort.
  • Memory Loss and Brain Fog: Difficulty concentrating or recalling information, often described as cognitive cloudiness.
  • Poor Concentration: Trouble focusing or staying attentive throughout the day.
  • Nausea and Digestive Discomfort: Persistent nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, or diarrhea.
  • Chronic Fatigue: Debilitating exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest.
  • Headaches: Frequent or severe headaches that interfere with daily functioning.
  • Hypotension: Low blood pressure episodes causing dizziness or faintness.
  • Skin Flushing and Itching: Redness, warmth, or itchiness without clear cause.
  • Inflammation and Pain: Generalized inflammation that may affect joints, muscles, or internal organs.
  • Anaphylaxis: Severe allergic-like reactions that can be life-threatening.
  • Psychiatric Illnesses: Anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
If you are experiencing a multitude of seemingly unrelated symptoms, it is essential to consult a knowledgeable physician. A holistic, metabolically directed treatment approach can help you identify the root causes of your symptoms, restore your body’s balance, and improve your overall well-being.
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, image of a man wearing a red and black plaid flannel shirt holds his stomach with his left hand with a look of pain on his face.

Our Functional and Metabolic Medicine Approach to MCAS

At Michael Rothman MD, we understand the significant impact that metabolic imbalances have on your digestive health and overall well-being. Our approach to treating mast cell activation syndrome involves a comprehensive, metabolically directed method to identify and address the root causes of your symptoms, such as dietary indiscretions, environmental exposures, stealth organisms, gut dysbiosis, food intolerances, autonomic dysfunction and metabolic imbalances.

Learn More About Our Metabolic Approach To Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

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Diagnostic Methods Used:

  • Comprehensive evaluation of your dietary habits, environmental exposures, and stress levels to identify lifestyle factors exacerbating your condition.
  • In-clinic metabolic testing to determine your acid-base balance, anabolic/catabolic status, and autonomic nervous system function—key indicators of your metabolic health.
  • Comprehensive stool tests to assess gut microbiome health, detect stealth infections, identify inflammatory markers, and evaluate digestive efficiency.
  • Blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies, inflammatory markers, thyroid status, hormone imbalances, and immune dysregulation related to biotoxins.
  • Functional testing to evaluate detoxification pathways, nutritional problems and metabolic imbalances.
  • Environmental exposure assessments to uncover mold toxicity, heavy metal accumulation, and other hidden environmental stressors.

Potential Treatment Options:

  • Lifestyle modifications to reduce toxic exposures, manage stress, improve sleep hygiene, and support your immune health.
  • Personalized dietary modifications to decrease inflammation, support digestion, and enhance your body’s natural prostaglandin production.
  • Probiotic and nutritional supplementation to restore gut flora, boost immune resilience, and address nutrient deficiencies.
  • Metabolically directed therapies to rebalance your internal chemistry, improve oxygen utilization, and normalize your autonomic nervous system and acid-base balance..
  • Hormonal therapies to correct imbalances that may be contributing to your symptoms.
  • Antimicrobial or antifungal protocols to eliminate stealth infections and pathogenic overgrowth.
  • Environmental detoxification strategies to identify and remove exposure to mold, chemicals, and other environmental triggers.

Why Choose Functional and Metabolic Medicine for MCAS?

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome presents unique challenges because of its diverse symptoms, hidden triggers, and the limitations of conventional medical care, which often focuses on short-term symptom management rather than lasting relief. Many people with MCAS struggle to find answers within traditional medical frameworks, leaving them without effective solutions for their chronic symptoms.
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, image of a doctor and patient sitting on the same side of a wooden table, looking at a white digital tablet.
At Michael Rothman MD, we take a different approach. Our functional and metabolic medicine philosophy aims to uncover the root causes of your condition by looking deeply at the interactions between your environment, genetics, lifestyle, and metabolic health. Through advanced diagnostic evaluations and personalized treatment plans, we aim to restore your health by addressing not just your symptoms but the underlying imbalances that perpetuate them.
Choosing a functional and metabolic medicine approach means committing to a deeper, more individualized level of care—one designed to promote lasting improvements in your health and well-being by treating you as a whole person, not just your symptoms

Ready to Take Control of Your Health?

If you are experiencing symptoms of mast cell activation syndrome and are seeking effective, metabolically directed treatments, contact us online or call (732) 268-7663 for a consultation.

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Meet Dr. Michael Rothman:
Holistic Health and Metabolic
Medicine Expert

Dr. Michael Rothman is a Functional and Metabolic Medicine Specialist with over two decades of holistic practice. Drawing on his personal experience with Crohn’s disease, he is passionate about utilizing metabolically directed functional medicine to address complex health conditions, like mast cell activation syndrome. Dr. Rothman’s comprehensive method considers dietary habits, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors to identify and treat the metabolic imbalances at the root of health issues.
Certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, he also holds board certifications in Internal Medicine and previously in Emergency Medicine. His unique approach integrates knowledge from nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, and physics, alongside extensive training in environmental illness, medical acupuncture, naturopathy, Reiki, qigong, and oriental martial arts. Patients can expect a thorough, individualized approach aimed at restoring and maintaining lasting well-being.
Learn More
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can MCAS be cured or is it a lifelong condition?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome is often a chronic condition, but with proper identification of root causes and a holistic, metabolically directed treatment approach, many people experience significant symptom improvement and even long-term remission. By reducing triggers, balancing your immune system, and supporting your overall health, you can regain control over your well-being.
How can diet and nutrition affect MCAS symptoms?

Your diet plays a crucial role in either calming or exacerbating MCAS symptoms. Certain foods can trigger mast cell activation, while others support metabolic balance and reduce inflammation. Personalized dietary modifications can help decrease histamine load, improve digestion, and enhance your immune resilience.

Does a low histamine diet help with MCAS?
For many individuals, following a low histamine diet can help alleviate MCAS symptoms by reducing the burden on your already sensitive mast cells. However, this dietary approach is most effective when combined with a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the underlying metabolic imbalances and environmental triggers contributing to your condition.
Is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome linked to other conditions?
Yes, MCAS is often associated with other chronic conditions such as chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), mold illness, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and environmental sensitivities. Identifying these connections is key to creating an effective, individualized treatment plan.
Can MCAS affect mental health or cause neurological symptoms?
Absolutely. Many people with MCAS experience neurological symptoms such as brain fog, memory loss, poor concentration, and psychiatric illnesses like anxiety and depression. These symptoms often result from the widespread effects of mast cell mediators on your nervous system and metabolic health.
What is the difference between MCAS and mastocytosis?
While both conditions involve mast cells, mastocytosis is a rare genetic disorder characterized by an overproduction of mast cells, often detectable through biopsies or blood tests. MCAS, on the other hand, involves overactivation of normal mast cells in response to various triggers without an actual increase in the number of mast cells.
How do you manage MCAS in children or teenagers?
Managing MCAS in younger individuals requires careful attention to environmental exposures, dietary triggers, and stress levels. Our metabolically directed approach includes gentle but effective lifestyle modifications, nutritional support, and targeted therapies that are tailored to the unique needs of children and teenagers, helping to reduce symptoms and support healthy development.
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