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Chinese restaurant syndrome
Hot dog headache; Glutamate-induced asthma; MSG (monosodium glutamate) syndrome
Chinese restaurant syndrome is a set of symptoms that some people have after eating Chinese food. A food additive called monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been blamed for the condition. However, this has not been proven to be the cause.
Causes
Reports of serious reactions to Chinese food first appeared in 1968. At that time, MSG was thought to be the cause of these symptoms. There have been many studies since then that have failed to show a connection between MSG and the symptoms some people describe.
For this reason, MSG continues to be used in some meals. However, it is possible that some people are particularly sensitive to food additives. MSG is chemically similar to one of the brain's most important chemicals, glutamate.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
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Chest pain
Chest pain
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Flushing
Flushing
Skin blushing or flushing is a sudden reddening of the face, neck, or upper chest.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Headache
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Numbness
or burning in or around the mouth
Numbness
Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Sense of facial pressure or swelling
- Sweating
Exams and Tests
Chinese restaurant syndrome is most often diagnosed based on the symptoms. The health care provider may ask the following questions as well:
- Have you eaten Chinese food within the past 2 hours?
- Have you eaten any other food that may contain monosodium glutamate within the past 2 hours?
The following signs may also be used to aid in diagnosis:
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Abnormal heart rhythm
observed on an
electrocardiogram
Abnormal heart rhythm
An arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate (pulse) or heart rhythm. The heart can beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregul...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleElectrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Decreased air entry into the lungs
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Rapid heart rate
Rapid heart rate
A bounding pulse is a strong throbbing felt over one of the arteries in the body. It is due to a forceful heartbeat.
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Treatment
Treatment depends on the symptoms. Most mild symptoms, such as headache or flushing, need no treatment.
Life-threatening symptoms require immediate medical attention. They may be similar to other severe allergic reactions and include:
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the throat
Outlook (Prognosis)
Most people recover from mild cases of Chinese restaurant syndrome without treatment and have no lasting problems.
People who have had life-threatening reactions need to be extra careful about what they eat. They should also always carry medicines prescribed by their provider for emergency treatment.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Get emergency medical help right away if you have the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Swelling of the lips or throat
References
Aronson JK. Monosodium glutamate. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs . 16th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:1103-1104.
Bush RK, Taylor SL. Reactions to food and drug additives. In: Adkinson NF, Bochner BS, Burks AW, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 82.
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Allergic reactions - illustration
Allergic reaction can be provoked by skin contact with poison plants, chemicals and animal scratches, as well as by insect stings. Ingesting or inhaling substances like pollen, animal dander, molds and mildew, dust, nuts and shellfish, may also cause allergic reaction. Medications such as penicillin and other antibiotics are also to be taken with care, to assure an allergic reflex is not triggered.
Allergic reactions
illustration
-
Allergic reactions - illustration
Allergic reaction can be provoked by skin contact with poison plants, chemicals and animal scratches, as well as by insect stings. Ingesting or inhaling substances like pollen, animal dander, molds and mildew, dust, nuts and shellfish, may also cause allergic reaction. Medications such as penicillin and other antibiotics are also to be taken with care, to assure an allergic reflex is not triggered.
Allergic reactions
illustration
Review Date: 12/10/2016
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
