RIDGE RUNNER CHRONICLES: A Needed Update on the Alpha-Gal Syndrome
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This column is about the so-called Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), also known as the “red-meat allergy.” This disease is finally gaining national recognition after being misdiagnosed for years by primary care physicians and allergists alike. It now exists not only in the US but also world-wide. AGS is of specific interest to me, not only because it is affecting so many people in the US who, like me, love the outdoors and are therefore most at risk of contracting this disease, but also because I was diagnosed with AGS three years ago and am dealing with the same symptomatic issues that others have.
I have written two columns about AGS; one before I was diagnosed and one after I was diagnosed. Some of the assumptions I made in writing those columns, although based on medical studies at the time, are actually inaccurate. In addition, some inaccurate information continues to be generated by so-called “experts” on the internet, so all more the reason to devote several columns to clarifying what is now known about this disease and how to reduce the potential exposure for you and your family. No, I am not a doctor but I have made the effort to study what the true experts are learning about this disease—just as you should be doing as well if you or a family member works outside, or if you and your family enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, golfing, hiking, gardening, playing with the kids in the back yard, or having one or more dogs in the house, and so on. You get the idea; the potential exposure is there for most of us here in the Mid-West.
AGS is spread by ticks. In the US, it is the lone star tick that is the primary vector but there are a variety of other species of ticks worldwide that spread it as well. The disease is caused by an over-reaction in our immune system to the introduction of a specific sugar molecule into our blood system by a tick bite. This means, among other things, that this disease cannot be effectively treated with antibiotics or vaccines. Rather, the most effective treatment is avoidance, which we will discuss in more detail in a later column. For now, let’s discuss a few misconceptions about the disease.
First, experts now hypothesize that the sugar molecule causing the hyperimmune response may be an endogenous condition in the lone star tick; in other words, the lone star tick may already have the AGS sugar molecule without having to first bite a mammal before it can be spread to humans. This may be due to some kind of “transovarial transmission”, in which this pathogen is passed from the ovaries of the female tick to its eggs—we simply don’t know for sure yet. But if this hypothesis turns out to be true, it means that in addition to the adult lone star tick, the lone star larvae and nymphs can spread the disease too. (I don’t know about you, but I keep getting those so-called “seed ticks”, the ones that look like poppy seeds but are actually nymph-stage lone star ticks. Until now, I incorrectly assumed they did not have the AGS sugar molecule yet because they were too young.) Second, about one third of those humans who have AGS will no longer be allergic to mammalian products in three to five years so it is not necessarily a permanent condition. Unfortunately, the symptoms for many other AGS patients may increase even without being bitten by another infected tick; a bee sting, wasp sting or a series of “harmless” tick bites can all apparently trigger an exacerbation of symptoms. And here’s more bad news: the consumption of alcohol or strenuous exercise can also make your symptoms worse. Obviously, if you already have AGS, a bite from an infected tick will potentially make symptoms worse as well. Finally, (for some good news) despite internet “experts” to the contrary, AGS is not spread by chiggers.
Stay tuned. We will discuss specific topics within the AGS phenomenon in upcoming columns, including common sense ways to avoid tick bites, how best to deal with AGS symptoms once you have been diagnosed, and the foods, medicines and personal products to avoid.
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■ Bill Hoagland has practiced law in Alton for more than 50 years, but he has spent more than 70 years hunting, fishing and generally being in the great outdoors. His wife, Annie, shares his love of the outdoor life. Much of their spare time is spent on their farm in Calhoun County. Bill can be reached at [email protected].
