EP.112/ Endometriosis, SIBO, Interstitial Cystitis and Allergies: The Histamine Connection
Endometriosis, small intestine bacterial overgrowth and allergies. What do they have in common?
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Histamines.
Whilst these conditions are multifaceted and often don’t have one root cause, there is a clear common thread connecting them all. Here’s some key takeaways:
61% of people with endo have allergies
Research has shown up to 80% of those with endo also have SIBO (some doctors argue it’s even higher at 100%)
SIBO can impair the body’s ability to break down and remove histamines from the body
Mast cells (the cells that make histamine) and histamines are found in high lever levels in patients with interstitial cystitis
Mast cells have been found in higher levels within endometriosis lesions and have been shown to be involved within the inflammatory process of endo
Endometriosis is an oestrogen driven disease and the endo lesions also increase oestrogen in the pelvic area. Oestrogen triggers mast cells to release histamines, whilst histamines can trigger further oestrogen production
Histamines can also rise as oestrogen rises with the menstrual cycle
Oestrogen lowers the effects of DAO, the enzyme that helps to break down histamines.
This overload of histamine, combined with the lack of DAO and the gut’s lessened ability to break down histamine due to SIBO, can result in a histamine intolerance scenario.
Histamine intolerance can manifest in many different ways, but some common symptoms are:
Dizziness
Sneezing
Wheezing
Runny or congested nose
Red, itchy eyes
Rashes and hives
Racing heart
Chest tightness
Diarrhea
Nausea
Irregular heart beat
Brain fog
Irritability
Food allergies and airborne allergies
In today’s episode, I’m exploring all of these links in the context of my own health challenges around IC, SIBO, endo and allergies and why I believe stress, mould and my gut health problems have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
I hope that by sharing my story, and the investigative work I did into my health, you may be able to pick up the clues in your own situation and begin to work out what’s triggering or worsening your allergies and other symptoms, and what you can do to start lowering histamines and controlling your symptoms.
For sources and references that I used in this episode, please see below in the show notes.
Show Notes
The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan
Interstitial cystitis and histamines Dr Becky Campbell
Histamine Intolerance 101 Dr Becky Campbell
Mast cells in endometriosis: guilty or innocent bystanders?
Targeting mast cells: a new way to treat endometriosis
Estrogen and histamines Dr Lara Briden
Immune Treatment for Endometriosis Dr Lara Briden
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My free guide ‘Managing Endometriosis Naturally’ is perfect for anyone just starting out on this journey of managing and reducing their symptoms. Download here.
My free Endometriosis Diet Grocery List is a pdf list that includes all the foods I buy on a monthly basis, categorised into easy sections. I share my personal endometriosis diet plan, free recipe resources, recommendations to help you get started with the endometriosis diet and nutrition tips. Download here.
My free “Endometriosis Symptom Tracker” could help you begin to understand the subtle patterns in your endometriosis symptoms. As always, this guide doesn’t replace your medical treatment and is not intended to treat or cure endometriosis, but provides you with options that helped me to live well with endometriosis. Download here.
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