75 episodes
The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Immunology The Itch: Allergies, Asthma & Immunology
-
- Health & Fitness
-
-
4.2 • 79 Ratings
-
Itching to know more about environmental and food allergies, asthma or immunology? Leave Dr Google at home and tune in as Kortney (a real life food allergy girl) and Dr Gupta (allergist/immunologist) discuss all things allergies, asthma and immunology. They want to bring you the facts in an easily digestible manner. From deep dives to interviews they will cover the science and the lifestyle aspects of life with allergies, asthma or immunology.
-
#73: What to Know About Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis
Have you ever searched for information on mast cell disease only to be overwhelmed by alarming topics like cancer and stem cell transplants? Then this episode is for you!
Our guest, Dr. Marina Kremyanskaya, joins hosts Dr. G and Kortney to provide insight into the progression of systemic mastocytosis and the available treatment options to improve quality of life and extend lifespan.
Dr. Kremyanskaya distinguishes between indolent and aggressive systemic mastocytosis, shedding light on warning signs indicating disease progression. She offers a detailed exploration of treatment approaches for aggressive mastocytosis, highlighting the evolving treatment plan and differing prognosis from indolent cases. Additionally, Dr. Kremyanskayaa delves into the concept of myeloid malignancy, providing insight into the more challenging aspects of advanced systemic mastocytosis progression.
We also dive into stem cell transplants as a potential cure for advanced systemic mastocytosis. Dr. Kremyanskaya explains why this option is not immediately pursued due to the complexity of the procedure and the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a potential complication associated with stem cell transplants.
What we cover in this episode about advanced systemic mastocytosis:
Understanding indolent systemic mastocytosis
Signs indicating progression to advanced mastocytosis.
Treatment strategies for aggressive mastocytosis and associated prognosis.
Explanation of advanced systemic mastocytosis with or without hematologic malignancy.
Definition of myeloid malignancy.
Understanding the impact of advanced systemic mastocytosis on organs.
The effectiveness of early treatment in slowing down the progression.
The role of stem cell transplant in treating mastocytosis.
Stem cell transplant and associated risks
Role of chemotherapy in stem cell transplant.
Overview of graft-versus-host disease.
Addressing whether stem cell transplant serves as a cure for mast cell disease.
Resources about mast cell disease:
Mast Cell Disease Overview: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/mast-cell-diseases/
What is Anaphylaxis? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/
What is Epinephrine? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/what-is-epinephrine/
The Mast Cell Disease Society: https://tmsforacure.org/ -
#72 - Mast Cell Disease, the Hematologist & New Treatments on the Horizon
Why talk to a hematologist about mast cell disease and systemic mastocytosis treatment?
Dr. Douglas Tremblay, a leading hematologist, joins Dr. G and Kortney to discuss the role of a hematologist-oncologist in diagnosing and treating mastocytosis. We discuss bone marrow's vital role in diagnosing and treating systemic mastocytosis.
Dr. Tremblay discusses the latest KIT inhibitors, a promising group of medications, and explains the difference between indolent and advanced systemic mastocytosis. He clarifies how KIT inhibitors work and emphasizes the importance of managing side effects. Finally, Dr. Tremblay provides insights into the future of KIT inhibitor approval and explores the possibility of participating in a clinical trial for Bezulastinib.
What we cover in this episode about treating systemic mastocytosis:
What is a hematologist looking at with mast cell disease patients?
Mast cell diseases and the role of bone marrow
Bone marrow biopsy for systemic mastocytosis
What is a bone marrow biopsy?
Information bone marrow biopsy provides for diagnosis
KIT mutation
KIT mutation testing in bone marrow and blood (digital droplet PCR)
Indolent Mastocytosis versus Advanced Mastocytosis
Current research for treating mast cell disease
How KIT inhibitors work
Do KIT inhibitors weaken the immune system?
KIT Inhibitors discussed in this episode:
Avapritinib
Bezulastinib
Elenestinib
Are KIT inhibitors a cure for mast cell disease?
Determining the tolerance for side effects of medications when researching and adding new medicines for diseases
The meaning of ‘NIB’ in the medication names
The timeline for the new KIT inhibitors approval
The type of patient that can participate in the clinical trials for Bezulastinib
Resources about mast cell disease:
Dr. Tremblay: https://profiles.mountsinai.org/douglas-a-tremblay
Dr. Tremblay’s email: douglas.tremblay@mssm.edu
Mast Cell Disease Overview: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/mast-cell-diseases/
What is Anaphylaxis? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/
What is Epinephrine? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/what-is-epinephrine/
The Mast Cell Disease Society: https://tmsforacure.org/
Current studies enrolling patients: https://tmsforacure.org/clinical-trials/ -
#71 - Living with systemic mastocytosis
What is it like when an unpredictable disease like systemic mastocytosis forces you to change the trajectory of your life?
As we continue to unpack mast cell disease, Dr. G and Kortney wanted to get the patient's perspective on living with such a complex disease. Tammie joins the podcast to discuss her journey battling mastocytosis, a rare condition affecting mast cells in the body.
If you ever feel alone on your chronic health journey, know you aren’t! Tammie's resilience and wisdom serve as a beacon of hope. We hope this inspires you to approach your health journey with determination and a sense of community.
What we cover in this episode:
Tammie’s mastocytosis journey
The challenges of not getting a proper diagnosis
The pros and cons of being able to google medical conditions
What do to when a doctor does not want to take you on as a patient
How Tammie separates the disease from her life
How do you navigate work with a chronic disease?
Working with a mental health team
How do you ask your family/friends for help
Patient's relationship with their healthcare team
Pros and cons of an online community for chronic disease and the importance of a real-life community
Connect with Tammie online:
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelllargentphillips
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tammie_rachell/
Resources about mast cell disease:
Mast Cell Disease Overview: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/mast-cell-diseases/
What is Anaphylaxis? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/
What is Epinephrine? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/what-is-epinephrine/
The Mast Cell Disease Society: https://tmsforacure.org/ -
#70 - How do low histamine diets and stress impact mast cell disease?
Can a low-histamine diet help with mast cell disease? Why is stress a big trigger for mast cell disease?
Dr. Milner joins us again to discuss two hot topics in managing mast cell disease. We start by demystifying the low histamine diet and sharing when appropriate. The answer may be different from what you expect or want to hear. We also talk about stress, a topic we are learning impacts so many chronic diseases, especially those related to mast cells. Stress can worsen symptoms, and in this episode, both doctors emphasize the importance of stress management techniques.
What we cover in this episode about low histamine diet and stress management
Why go on a low histamine diet?
What is histamine intolerance?
How well do low histamine diets work for mast cell disease?
The impact of stress on mast cell disease
Stresses impact on the gut
Stress management is integral in mast cell disease treatment
More resources about mast cell disease:
Mast Cell Disease Overview: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/mast-cell-diseases/
What is Anaphylaxis? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/
What is Epinephrine? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/what-is-epinephrine/
The Mast Cell Disease Society: https://tmsforacure.org/ -
#69 - How are Mast Cell Diseases Treated?
Where do you begin with mast cell disease treatment when there is such variation among patients?
Dr. Milner is back with us to discuss the difficulties in treating mast cell activation syndrome and mastocytosis. We will discuss the different approaches to treating mast cell disease and the medications used for mastocytosis treatment. Since no single treatment plan works for everyone, we will explore multiple strategies that can be helpful in managing this condition.
A note: when you hear MCAS mentioned, it stands for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
What we cover in our episode about treating mast cell diseases:
What are the steps taken to treat mast cell diseases?
Histamine blockers: antihistamines for mast cell disease and H2 blockers
Mast cell stabilizers: Cromolyn and Ketotifen
Xolair
Other medications that have been used but not recommended: aspirin, steroids, Singulair
Epinephrine and anaphylaxis
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) for Mastocytosis: Avapritinib, Midostaurin
Safety concerns and side effects of Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Multidisciplinary approach to managing mast cell disease
About our guest - Dr. Josh Milner
Joshua Milner, MD, is a renowned leader in discovering and understanding genetic diseases leading to allergic symptoms, including Hereditary Alpha Tryptasemia Syndrome, PLAID, PGM3 deficiency, ERBIN mutation, and others. With a background in biology from MIT and an MD with distinction in immunology from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Milner has extensive experience in pediatrics and allergy and immunology, serving as chief of the Laboratory of Allergic Diseases at NIAID.
His vision is to leverage genetic variation to improve diagnosis and care for patients with allergic diseases through comprehensive genetic sequencing and functional studies, aiming for personalized medicine and interdisciplinary collaboration in pediatric allergy, immunology, and rheumatology.
More about Dr. Milner:
https://www.pediatrics.columbia.edu/profile/joshua-milner-md
More resources about mast cell disease:
Mast Cell Disease Overview: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/mast-cell-diseases/
What is Anaphylaxis? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/
What is Epinephrine? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/what-is-epinephrine/
The Mast Cell Disease Society: https://tmsforacure.org/
FDA Approves AYVAKIT® (avapritinib) as the First and Only Treatment for Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis: https://ir.blueprintmedicines.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fda-approves-ayvakitr-avapritinib-first-and-only-treatment -
#68 - Why you need to clean your eyelash extensions & lid margins
Our episode on eyelash allergies was so interesting we had to bring you more from our favorite eye Doc, Dr. Luk. We delve into the fascinating world of eyelash health and hygiene, from the importance of cleanliness to the latest trends like eyelash serums and magnetic extensions. We discuss the importance of hygiene, eyelash serums, and magnetic eyelash extensions.
What we cover in this episode on how to clean eyelash extensions:
Eyegiene: why you need to clean your eyelashes
How to clean your eyelid margin
How often should you clean your eyelid margins
How to know if it is eczema or blepharitis
What to consider when using lash serums
Are magnetic eyelash extensions a better alternative to traditional eyelash extensions?
Customer Reviews
Awesome podcast!
Very informative and helpful for patients. We appreciate all that you are doing! Thank you.🙏
A laid back take on VERY important topics
Wow! It feels like you’re in the same room just having a casual chat with these two doctors. Which makes this podcast feel unique and intimate! They are obviously concerned and passionate about sharing all the information on important topics but they some how do it while finessing the flow of conversation to make the listener feel right at home. The listener could be afraid of vaccinations or have many allergies or trust everything in western medicine but whichever way you fall, these qualified and energetic doctors will think of you and ask the questions on your behalf. They offer the facts from as many angles as possible for such important topics like covid19. This is essential information presented in a format that easily enticed me to subscribe. Can’t wait to see what other doctors they interview as well! These days we’ve got to surround ourselves with people we trust and they are really looking out for the health of ALL.
Comment on Ep 30
I love this podcast. Just wanted to share a “lifestyle” success for our family. Before my son was diagnosed with wheat/dairy/egg/nut allergies, I rarely cooked at home, let alone planned recipes or prepped meals. After he was diagnosed, I found myself TOTALLY overwhelmed planning and prepping 9 meals a day, every day (my husband and I work from home, we have a picky 3yo, and the food allergy yearling). Not planning meals was setting me up for failure, but I had no mental/emotional energy left to research and plan meals while in the first phase of coping with the FA diagnosis.
One day I was complaining to my aunt, “it’s not the cooking that bothers me, its the planning. if someone would just tell me what groceries to buy each week, and what to make with those groceries, and if everyone could eat the same meal at least some of the time, then I would be perfect..... a girl can dream 🤣😭.”
And she then introduced me to a service called PrepDish. It’s designed to be a gluten-free & paleo meal planning service, and they send you a list and recipes every week. The recipes can all be made dairy and nut free, and I have had no trouble subbing out eggs as needed. It gives me exactly what I need, to know we have a variety of allergy friendly recipes available, that can all be prepped and cooked in advance if needed, we are not left with lots of leftovers or food waste, and it’s simple yet tasty enough that my 3yo rarely complains, and my husband is happy. It has been a huge lifesaver and game-changer for our family. I would hugely recommend it for any family dealing with similar food allergies who is overwhelmed with the planning. For me it’s better than a grocery delivery service, because who knows how the foods get cross-contaminated during that handling process. I still like grocery shopping to pick out all my own foods, and now just know what to do with them. Hope that helps someone!
Top Podcasts In Health & Fitness
You Might Also Like