MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Chinese restaurant syndrome

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Chinese restaurant syndrome

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms	Signs and tests Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Calling your health care provider

Illustrations

Allergic reactions

Alternative names Return to top

Hot dog headache; Glutamate-induced asthma; MSG (monosodium glutamate) syndrome

Definition Return to top

Chinese restaurant syndrome is a collection of symptoms that some people experience after eating Chinese food. A food additive called monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been implicated, but it has not been proven to be the agent that causes this condition.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

In 1968, reports of a series of reactions to Chinese food were first described. MSG was reported to cause these symptoms, but subsequent research produced conflicting data. Many studies were performed, but a majority failed to show a connection between MSG and the symptoms that some people describe after eating Chinese food. For this reason, MSG continues to be used in some meals. However, it is possible that some people are particularly sensitive to food additives, and MSG is chemically similar to one of the brain's most important neurotransmitters, glutamate.

Symptoms Return to top

Headache
Flushing
Sweating
Sense of facial pressure or swelling
Numbness or burning in or around the mouth
Chest pain

Signs and tests Return to top

Chinese restaurant syndrome is usually diagnosed based on the symptoms. The health care provider may ask the following questions as well:

Have you eaten Chinese food within past 2 hours?
Have you eaten any other food that may contain monosodium glutamate within past 2 hours?

The following signs may also be used to aid in diagnosis:

Abnormal heart rhythm observed on an electrocardiogram
Rapid heart rate
Decreased air entry into the lungs

Treatment Return to top

Treatment will depend upon the symptoms. Most -- such as headache or flushing -- need no treatment.

Life-threatening symptoms may be similar to any other severe allergic reaction and require immediate medical attention. These include the following:

Swelling of the throat
Chest pain
Heart palpitations
Shortness of breath

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Most people recover from mild cases of Chinese restaurant syndrome on their own. Their prognosis is excellent.

People who have experienced life-threatening reactions need to be extremely cautious about what they eat and should always carry medication prescribed by their doctor for emergency treatment.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

If you experience any symptoms such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations and chest pain, or swelling of the lips or throat, go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Update Date: 1/18/2003

Updated by: Steven Angelo, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.