It is a ‘relatively new’ condition that can cause a wide range of symptoms – but is often hard to diagnose
A doctor has suggested people might want to ask their GP about a ‘rare’ and ‘relatively new’ condition that can “cause any symptom”, especially if they’re having difficulty getting to the bottom of their illness. Dr Asif Ahmed, known as @dra_says on TikTok, explained that whilst this condition may be hard to diagnose, it could be impacting lots of people without their knowledge.
Dr Ahmed, MBBS, MRCGP, BSc, is a private GP and content creator. In a recent video, he said: “Have you got a symptom that no doctor can figure out what’s going on? This new condition is something I think you need to be aware of.”
The GP claims that this “relatively new condition” could be worth discussing with medical professionals, reports the Daily Record. However, he claims that some sufferers have been “diagnosed with other things” instead of these issues, which is called MCAS, or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Dr Ahmed explained that mast cells are present throughout the body and that their primary function is to assist the immune system. He said that anyone who has experienced an allergic reaction can understand what MCAS feels like. However, for those with the condition, episodes are typically more intense than standard allergic reactions and affect multiple body systems.
He told viewers: “[These cells are] constantly checking for any allergens and, if they detect one, they release histamine, which gives you lots of nasty symptoms. However, in MCAS, they get triggered by things that shouldn’t really trigger them, such as food, heat, cold or even stress.”
He added that if you’ve got MCAS, “you can have almost any symptom”. There are several warning signs that should set alarm bells ringing and warrant discussion with your GP.
Dr Ahmed explained that typical indicators might encompass skin writing (a raised red reaction to a very minor touch), widespread bodily pain, or experiencing constant exhaustion. The Cleveland Clinic offers a comprehensive catalogue of recognised symptoms that MCAS could trigger.
Warning signs of MCAS to watch for:
- Low blood pressure
- Flushing (hot, red or pink skin)
- Itchy skin
- Hives
- Nasal congestion
- Swelling, often of your face, lips, eyes, tongue or throat (angioedema)
- Constipation or diarrhoea (sometimes alternating)
- Belly pain
- Vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness or fainting
- Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction, which may include a combination of the above symptoms)
But, despite this extensive list, the medic issued an extra warning to patients about how it’s not as easy as being examined by a doctor to rule this out. He said: “It is important to know almost any symptom can present, which is why it is very hard to diagnose.”
Dr Ahmed claimed that test outcomes frequently return as normal or borderline, making a definitive diagnosis hard to pin down. Whilst specialist examinations do exist, he added that “these aren’t fully available in the NHS yet”.
No specific cure or treatment exists, and controlling the condition means avoiding your specific triggers, which is why it may help to keep track of them using a diary. The Cleveland Clinic added to its information on the condition that some medicines might also provide relief, including H1 and H2 receptor blockers, which are more commonly known as antihistamines.