Episode #106: Bartonella and MCAS with Dr. Tania Dempsey, MD

Why You Should Listen: In this episode, you will learn about Bartonella and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, the role they play in chronic illness, and options for addressing them. About My Guest: My guest for this episode is Dr. Tania Dempsey. Tania Dempsey, MD received her MD from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and her BS degree from Cornell University. She completed her Residency at NYU Medical Center / Bellevue Hospital and then served as an attending physician at a large multi-specialty medical practice in White Plains, NY, before opening Armonk Integrative Medicine. Dr. Dempsey combines primary care treatment and integrative medicine with particular focus on thyroid dysfunction, autoimmune disease, hormonal imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, food sensitivities, and weight management. She is an active staff member of Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut. She is a member of the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) and the American College of Physicians and holds a certificate in Vanguard Endocrinology. Dr. Dempsey has been featured on Fox News, Harpers Bazaar, Readers Digest, Clean Plates, Prevention, SHAPE Magazine and countless other media outlets. Key Takeaways: What are the vectors for Bartonella transmission? What are the hallmark symptoms of Bartonella infection? Is Bartonella more common and more devastating than Lyme itself? How does Bartonella impact the neurological system and result in symptoms that may appear to be mental and emotional? What testing approach has been most helpful for identifying Bartonella? What is the role of Bartonella in autoimmunity and in conditions such as PANS, Rheumatoid Arthritis, POTS, dysautonomia, insulin resistance, and Type 1 diabetes? What is the connection between Bartonella and MCAS? What is MCAS, and how does it impact the body? How common is MCAS in the general population and in the chronically ill population? What are the best tools to test for the presence of MCAS? What is the QEESI, and how do MCAS and MCS overlap? What is the role of the vagus nerve in MCAS? How does one detoxify the body if toxins themselves lead to mast cell activation? Is CIRS a mast cell activation syndrome induced by mold? How is MCAS treated? What is the role of genetic and epigenetics in MCAS? What is the role of neuroplasticity or limbic system retraining in MCAS? Connect With My Guest: http://DrTaniaDempsey.com  Interview Date: October 15, 2019 Transcript: To review a transcript of this show, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com/Episode106. Additional Information: To learn more, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com. Disclaimer: The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority.