CONTENTS
SECTION 1 - MY STORY
1.1 From My Childhood Through My Twenties
1.2 Turbulent Times
1.3 Finding the Cause of My Illness
1.4 After the Diagnosis
1.5 My Stay at the Rehabilitation Clinic
1.6 Gradual Recovery
1.7 Greener Pastures
SECTION II - WHAT ARE MAST CELLS
2.1 Function and Purpose
2.2 Types of Mast Cell Diseases and Diagnoses
2.3 Related Disorders to Mastocytosis
2.4 Conditions That Can Mimic Mast Cell Disorders
2.5 Comorbid Diseases in MCAS
2.6 Symptoms of MCAS
2.7 Mediator-Released Symptoms
2.8 Medical Treatment Options
2.9 Histamine
2.10 Antihistamines
2.11 Mast Cell Stabilizers
SECTION III - MANAGING A DIAGNOSIS
3.1 Finding a Doctor
3.2 Talking to Doctors
3.3 The Irony of MCAS/MCAD
3.4 Alienation of Friends
3.5 Becoming Hypersenstive
3.6 Days of Exhaustion
3.7 Tracking Reactions
3.8 Anxiety
3.9 Mindset
3.10 How I like to Describe Mast Cells
SECTION IV - DAY TO DAY SURVIVAL TACTICS
4.1 Triggers
4.2 How to Work Around Triggers
4.3 Reducing Physical Stress
4.4 Reducing Mental Stress
4.5 Living Environment
4.6 Sleep/Insomnia
4.7 Taking Showers and Baths
4.8 Body Care Products
4.9 Clothing and Fabrics
4.10 Laundry
4.11 Getting the Itching Under Control
4.12 Calming Reactions in the GI Tract
4.13 Breathing Tips to Reduce Reactions
4.14 Shopping
4.15 Temperature
4.16 Travel
4.17 Eating Out
4.18 Hair Loss
4.19 Dark Circles Under the Eyes
4.20 Iron Infusions
SECTION V - DIET
5.1 Fundamentals
5.2 Histamine-Free Cooking
5.3 Histamine Liberators
5.4 Biogenic Amines
5.5 Foods Low in Histamine
5.6 Foods Rich in Quercetin
5.7 Anti-Inflammatory Foods
5.8 Creativity in the Kitchen
5.9 Kitchen Tools
5.10 Storing Food
5.11 Beneficial Diets
5.12 Nutrients
5.13 Vitamins
5.14 Minerals
5.15 Proteins
5.16 Fats
5.17 Carbohydrates
5.18 Coffee, Yes or No?
5.19 Menu Ideas
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND REFERENCES
Useful Go-To’s
Sources and References