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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
GP warns heartburn could be sign of a 'hidden' condition that affects one in six - if you don't get treated, it could kill
An NHS GP has warned that millions of people in the UK could be unknowingly suffering a little-known condition that puts them at risk of a deadly allergic reaction. Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is an increasingly common blood cell problem that affects around one in six people, but is 'widely undiagnosed', according to Dr Asif Ahmed. In a new clip posted to Dr Ahmed's Instagram page, where he has more than 100,000 followers, the medic said the symptoms, like heartburn, headaches and nausea, can easily be mistaken for other conditions. 'If you've got lots of symptoms, no one knows what's going on, you've been referred to one specialist then the other, then this is a condition you definitely need to consider,' he said in the video that has so far garnered over 40,700 views. He added that the condition can cause 'almost any symptom including headaches, visual problems, nausea, heartburn, skin rashes, extreme fatigue or widespread joint pain', which is why MCAS often gets misdiagnosed. Mast cells are a type of blood cell found all over the body, and are a vital part of the immune system. These so-called 'police officer' cells detect different types of triggers and fight off infection. 'Firstly, mast cells are everywhere in the body—your eyes, gut, joints, skin—and when they release [the hormone] histamine you get symptoms,' Dr Ahmed explained. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Asif Ahmed (MBBS, MRCGP, BSc) (@dra_says) In a healthy person, mast cells trigger a protective response, but in someone with MCAS, they can mistake harmless substances such as pollen for infectious germs, and spark a range of unpleasant—and potentially dangerous—symptoms. Other common triggers include alcohol, heat, medication such as antibiotics, insect bite and sings, exercise, certain foods, perfume and stress. 'In MCAS, what happens is that the mast cells inappropriately release histamine. This means a trigger, environmental generally, that normally shouldn't release histamine, does in you,' the GP explained. This can cause a number of symptoms in different parts of the body—including the build-up of mucus in the airways, which become narrower, cutting off life-giving oxygen. In some severe cases it can cause anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that limits breathing and can be life-threatening. As well as rapid organ failure, this can restrict oxygen to the brain, resulting in lethal brain damage. Other common symptoms include swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty swallowing, skin that feels cold to the touch, wheezing, and blue, grey or pale skin. One telltale sign of the condition, present in over half of sufferers, is dermatographism—more commonly known as skin writing. 'This is when they can generally draw on their skin and this leaves a wide raised red rash,' Dr Ahmed explained. Doctors can also run blood and urine tests to pick up high levels of chemicals released by mast cells during an episode—but this only works shortly after an episode. Another way doctors may test for MCAS is by seeing if a potential sufferer responds to typical treatments. Dr Ahmed said: 'Often patients who are thought to have MCAS just get started on treatment—which are generally H1 and H2 receptor antagonists and if there's a response to this, they're often diagnosed with MCAS. 'So generally it's a very easy and safe diagnosis option to take, and I think it's an option which is worth considering for people who have ongoing symptoms despite treatment and diagnosis for another condition.' While there is no known cause of MCAS, according to the London Clinic of Nutrition, 74 per cent of people with MCAS have a first-degree relative who also suffers with the condition. It has also been linked with obesity, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression and type 2 diabetes. In the most severe cases MCAS can cause severe reactions to almost everything, including foods. This is the case for Caroline Cray Quinn, a healthcare recruiter from Boston, who can now only eat two foods—oats and a specially prepared nutritional formula. Any other food could see her suffer a potentially fatal allergic reaction. While Ms Quinn had severe food allergies growing up, she was only diagnosed with MACS in 2017. 'I got sick with MCAS in September of 2017 after one true allergic reaction to cross-contamination with nuts spiraled into a series of anaphylactic episodes to foods I wasn't allergic to,' Ms Quinn recalled. 'After a long waiting list of eight months, I saw an MCAS specialist who officially diagnosed me.' She added: '(MCAS) presents in a lot of uncomfortable and life-threatening symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling/itchiness in throat and mouth, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, and hives/rashes. 'In order to avoid MCAS flare-ups and MCAS symptoms, I avoid triggers like food, animal fur/dander, mould, dust, heat, and certain smells.'
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Feel wiped out in the summer months? It could be hidden sign of a deadly paralysing disease that's on the rise, top GP warns
Do you feel exhausted when it is hot outside? It could be an early sign of the debilitating neurological disease multiple sclerosis, an NHS GP has warned. According to Dr Asif Ahmed, if you have fatigue that gets far worse in hot weather, it could be a sign of the progressive disease. In a clip posted to TikTok that's so far had nearly 70,000 views, Dr Ahmed said: 'If you've got pain or [are] tired all the time or have visual problems, and say this one thing to me [that it gets worse in the heat] I'm definitely thinking about multiple sclerosis. 'Often people say they have dizziness or the headache or the pain gets worse when they are exercising or when they go in a sauna or when they have a hot bath,' he said. The worsening of a neurological condition as the body temperature rises is the Uhtoff's Phenomenon, he explained. It is experienced by 60 to 80 per cent of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), so while it doesn't necessarily mean you have the condition, it is a 'strong indicator', he warned. He urged those who experience worsening symptoms in the heat to speak to a doctor who can advise if you need further tests. MS is a life-changing, incurable condition affecting the brain and spinal cord that causes debilitating muscle spasms, among other symptoms. While MS does not directly kill, at advanced stages, it can cause weakness in the chest muscles, leading to difficulty breathing and swallowing—which can have life-threatening complications. Those in the late stage of the illness are also extremely vulnerable to potentially deadly infections. Some studies show that MS patients are up to 75 per cent more likely to die young than those without the disease. Most people find out they have MS in their thirties and forties, but the first signs can start years earlier. The main symptoms include fatigue, numbness and tingling, loss of balance and dizziness, and stiffness or spasms. Others include memory and thinking problems, vision changes, bowel trouble, bladder problems, pain, and tremors. The doctor's warning follows a concerning rise in cases, with around 150,000 people living with MS in the UK. This is up from around 130,000 in 2019, according to recent research by the MS Society. The doctor's warning follows soaring rates—an estimated 150,000 people with MS in the UK , and nearly 7,100 more people being diagnosed each year. While experts don't know the reason cases are on the rise, possible factors are infections, a lack of vitamin D, smoking, solvents, obesity, and stress. It is important to spot the early signs of the condition, as while there is no cure for MS, treatments can slow the progression of the disease. The type of treatment you will need depends on the type of the disease patients have: relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive. Relapse and remitting MS involves flare-ups of symptoms where they get worse (relapse) and get better (remission). Over time it often develops into secondary progressive MS, when symptoms are there all the time, and get slowly worse. In the less common case of primary progressive MS, symptoms slowly getting worse over time without periods of them going away or getting better. Treatments may include several types of medication such as steroids, disease-modifying therapies, muscle relaxants, and those to treat pain and other symptoms. Other types of support include advice on fatigue, physiotherapy, mobility equipment, talking therapies, and cognitive rehabilitation. This warning comes months after, Hollywood actress Selma Blair, diagnosed with MS in 2018, shared she was 'in remission' after receiving a promising new treatment. The Legally Blonde actress underwent a treatment found to slow progression and ease symptoms called a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This procedure extracts and then reinfuses stems cells—undifferentiated cells with the ability to develop into various specialised cell types—into a person's body. The results of this procedure can go as far as to 'see patients go from a wheelchair to walking', experts have said. Doctors are using these types of procedures to repair years-worth of brain damage, even restoring some paralysed patients' ability to walk by re-growing tissue. Dr Alexander Scheer, an expert in regenerative medicine who has treated patients with MS with stem cells, said: 'It's so beautiful to watch. 'I mean, to see a patient go from a wheelchair, to be able to walk is, to me, why I went into medicine.' The doctor successfully treated Richard Benedetto, 56, who has MS, with stem cell transplants. Mr Benedetto regained his ability to walk after undergoing a series of operations to transplant stem cells into his brain.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Safety warning over celebrity-backed supplement - doctor says regular use is linked to LIVER DAMAGE
A GP has warned that those who regularly take trendy ashwagandha supplements could be at serious risk of liver damage. Speaking in a video that has already been watched 15,500 times, Dr Asif Ahmed revealed that despite ashwagandha being 'one of the most hyped supplements out there'—backed by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow—it can have disastrous effects when taken long term. Ashwagandha, a herb found in India, that has long been touted for its supposed benefits, which include aiding sleep and boosting mental health. However, experts say it's still not clear if and how the plant works. And Dr Ahmed has highlighted a potential danger — and urged the public to undergo vita blood tests to check the function of their liver before they take the supplement. This is because like other herbal supplements, ashwagandha releases toxic compounds when metabolised by the liver. In high doses, this can trigger damage to the organ that stops it being able to effectively rid the body of toxins, leading to yellowing of the eyes and skin, medically known as jaundice. 'Ashwaganda is meant to help with stress and reducing high cortisol levels, but remember it's a herbal treatment, so make sure your liver function tests have been done and are okay before you start,' the GP warned. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Asif Ahmed (MBBS, MRCGP, BSc) (@dra_says) People should only take the supplement for a short period of time, and only when absolutely necessary, Dr Ahmed advised. 'It definitely shouldn't be taken long term', he said. 'Make sure you don't take more than 300 to 600 mg a day for four to six weeks max. 'And it should only to be used during very stressful periods.' The GP also warned that taking supplements alongside other medications also carries potential dangers due to unknown interactions. He said: 'Like with any other herbal treatment make sure you check with your doctor to make sure there are no interactions with any other medications, in particular with blood thinning medication.' This is because some studies have shown that ashwagandha has a blood thinning effect and can therefore exacerbate the risk of hemorrhage that already comes with prescription medication. Last year, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warned that ashwaganda has been linked to potential liver toxicity. The FSA said that, in the UK, 'there are no safe levels established or set limits' of how much ashwagandha can be used in supplements. The supplement has also been linked with 'thyroid toxicity' and 'potential liver toxicity'. It may also impact 'thyroid hormone levels' as well having 'hypoglycaemic effects'— meaning it could cause blood sugar levels to drop, the watchdog added. Dr Ahmed also highlighted studies that suggest taking ashwagandha can significantly reduce cortisol levels and the negative effects of stress on the body. In the most recent study the GP listed, researchers studied how effective ashwagandha root extract is at alleviating stress and anxiety in otherwise healthy individuals. They found that perceived stress levels, quality of life and generalised anxiety disorder scores improved significantly in all the participants taking ashwagandha compared to the placebo. The participants taking ashwagandha also experienced a significant improvement in multitasking, concentration and decision-making time. However, Dr Ahmed flagged that other studies have found no significant benefit with people taking ashwagandha to help reduce anxiety. 'Overall the evidence is not absolutely amazing, but its pretty decent. So I think its a pretty decent option for some people, but remember it's a herbal supplement', the GP concluded.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctor issues warning over popular supplement that could trigger organ damage
A GP has urged those who plan to take vitamin D to have a blood test to check their levels beforehand—as overdosing could result in heart and kidney damage. Speaking in a video that has so far been watched over 52,000 times, Dr Asif Ahmed, revealed that he has seen far too many people taking a 'crazy' high dose of vitamin D, which can cause abnormal heart rhythms, kidney failure and bone pain. It is currently estimated that around one in six adults in the UK do not get enough vitamin D—while some people, according to Dr Ahmed are overdosing on it. Also known as the 'sunshine vitamin', the main source is exposure to sunlight, as well as from foods like oily fish, red meant and egg yolks. NHS guidelines suggest taking a vitamin D supplement throughout the winter months, when there is less sunshine, but Dr Ahmed said taking too much of the vitamin could be dangerous. 'Taking vitamin D at high doses long term is actually very dangerous, because it can cause hypercalcemia', Dr Ahmed explained. This is where excess calcium is deposited into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart and kidney disease. Dr Ahmed explained that, unlikely other supplements that are difficult to overdose on, as excess comes out in your urine, vitamin D is fat soluble, which means it hangs around in the body. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Asif Ahmed (MBBS, MRCGP, BSc) (@dra_says) 'A lot of the time when you take a high dose of vitamins, its not that dangerous because their water soluble and you just pee it out,' the GP explained. 'With fat soluble vitamins, like vitamin D however, we can't get rid of excess vitamins therefore it just accumulates in the body,' he added. This can weaken the bones, and damage the kidneys and the heart. 'When it comes to dosage, I've seen people taking crazy high doses of something they've bought online, like 10,000 international units, which is a dose I wouldn't recommend for anyone,' the GP warned. The NHS advises not to take more than 4,000 units of vitamin D a day. This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17. According to Dr Ahmed, most people only need around 10 micrograms, which is equivalent to 400 units. While Dr Ahmed agreed with NHS guidelines that recommend a supplement dose of no more than 100 micrograms units a day, he said some people do need a much higher dose. 'These are patients who have very low vitamin D on their blood tests', he said. In the US, the minimum threshold of vitamin D, set out by the institute of medicine, is 20ng/ml. However, the UK's threshold for deficiency is much lower, at 12ng/ml, a level that has long been criticised by international health experts. 'The amount you need as a supplement depends on your symptoms, your ethnicity, your skin colour, but also your blood test result', Dr Ahmed cautioned. This is why the doctor, who has over 95,500 followers on Instagram, urged anyone who takes vitamin D supplements to get a blood test to see if they are taking too much of the so-called sunshine vitamin. He said: 'I urge most people taking vitamin D supplements to get their levels checked regularly. You have to take it carefully and responsibly and not take too much of a high dose.' Dr Ahmed is not the first medic to warn against megadoses of vitamin D. NHS surgeon Doctor Karan Rajan previously suggested looking for vitamin D supplements that contain vitamin K2, which helps reduce the risk of calcium being deposited in the blood stream. While supplements can help to boost vitamin D levels, experts say adequate sunlight exposure and a healthy diet that includes things like oily fish, red meat and fortified foods, are the best sources.
