She had unexplained blood pressure fluctuations and bouts of pneumonia. It took years to learn why

Skip to content (Image credit: NIAID / CC BY 2.0) Transcript: For years, North Carolina resident Tami McGraw struggled with unexplained medical problems. McGraw: “I kept getting sick. I had pneumonia numerous times … and I was diagnosed with asthma, and I was using inhalers. … And it was getting really scary because I had a lot of blood pressure fluctuations … and nobody really could find an answer to what was causing all my issues.” Finally, McGraw was diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome. It’s an allergy to red meat – and sometimes to dairy – that’s caused by a lone star tick bite. She says once she understood her condition, she could start managing it. McGraw: “I was so relieved to have an answer.” And she wanted to help others who were struggling with similar symptoms or had been recently diagnosed. So she created a Facebook support group where people can learn about alpha-gal syndrome and get tips for avoiding foods and products they may be sensitive to. As the climate warms, lone star ticks – which thrive in warm regions – are spreading into new areas, and cases of alpha-gal syndrome are on the rise. McGraw: “I start my morning admitting new members in the group. … And every morning, there’s about anywhere from 50 to 100 people that want to join.” McGraw hopes the information and support her group provides can help people stay healthy while living with this increasingly common condition. Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media