WHAT IS MASTOCYTIC ENTEROCOLITIS?

Mastocytic enterocolitis (entero=small intestine, colitis- colon + -itis= inflammation) is a newly discovered disorder defined by the presence of increased mast cells in the intestine. Mast cells are a type of immune cell. They are involved in allergy reactions, infection fighting and nerve regulation in the body. They have numerous granules that contain a variety of chemicals that mediate body reactions i.e. chemical mediators. Histamine is one of the main chemical mediators in mast cells that are released when mast cells are triggered. Mast cells present in the superficial intestinal lining or mucosa in small numbers except when there are parasites, food allergies, increased stress or the presence of other chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. When mast cells release histamine and other chemicals, this irritates or inflames the bowel making it more permeable or leaky. This can set up a vicious cycle of pain and further gut injury.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The most common symptoms are diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain. However, constipation may occur due to gut paralysis. Nausea, vomiting and various non-GI symptoms such as flushing, headaches, and fatigue may also commonly occur. When histamine is released, it can cause leaky gut, increased contractions of the gut or decreased contractions, increased secretions and increased pain.

You may have heard about the disease normally known as Multiple Sclerosis - but what is it and what causes it?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system. First described by Jean-Martin Charcot in 1868, MS(formerly known as disseminated sclerosis) is more common in women than in men and typically affects - depending on country and actual population - between 2 and 150 people per 100,000. The disease usually has its onset in early adulthood.

The disease affects the 'white matter' of the brain. Cells in white matter - present in the brain and spinal cord - carry signals for processing to 'grey matter' areas and also between these areas and the rest of the body. MS affects the neurons in the white matter - specifically destroying the cells known as 'oligodendrocytes' that are cells responsible for creating the 'myelin sheath' - a fatty layer that assists the neurons in the carrying of electrical signals.

Tongue cancer may be linked to chronic gum disease in men, whether or not they smoke, according to a report in the Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi which is most often acquired from the bite of an infected Ixodes, or black-legged, tick, also known as a deer tick. Borrelia is a gram negative bacterium. Lyme disease in Europe is more often caused by Borrelia afzelii or Borrelia garinii. areas of New York, where Lyme disease is common, over half of the ticks are infected.

Vitiligo is a specific type of leukoderma and it is characterized by depigmentation of the epidermis. It affects at least one in every hundred people in countries throughout the world including the UK. It affects people of both sexes equally, and it affects all races. It can begin at any age, though about fifty percent of people with vitiligo develop it before the age of twenty five. Vitiligo affects 1-2% of the American population.

Diabetes sufferers are well aware of the various related health problems which can be caused by the illness. One problem which often gets overlooked is the link between diabetes and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the general term for diseases of the mouth which affect the gums and the bones that hold the teeth. A high incidence of teeth and gum problems in diabetics has been directly linked to the disease and poor control of blood sugar levels.

When referring to arthritis, you generally bring to mind the normal aging process that results in joint damage and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, is a form of arthritis that can strike the old and young alike. The symptoms are more widespread than the common "old age" arthritis. Fortunately, there are many successful treatment options available for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Body image is something that young women in America often struggle with on a daily basis. Their minds are flooded with images of rail thin models and celebrities who run the "it" crowd. Unfortunately, this is where many women become obsessed with weight and looks in hopes of making themselves perfect. Although there is no clear cut cause for an eating disorder, people with a family history of depression or anxiety, obesity, and even social factors are listed as very possible perpetrators for such syndromes.