Mast cell Activation Syndrome(MCAS)
Mast cells are a specific type of white blood cell also known as mastocytes or labrocytes. These cells leave the bone marrow and go to the body's various tissues.
Secretory granules, which are found in each mast cell and contain mediators, are known as these. These are physiologically active chemicals that are released when a mast cell is activated and result in an allergic or inflammatory reaction. Histamines and leukotrienes are two examples of these biologically produced mediators.
Mast cell triggers vary from person to person, although there are several potential causes, such as:
Smell (perfumes or chemicals), Infections (bacterial or viral), Sunlight, Fatigue, sudden variations in temperature, Diet, medications, specific venoms (from wasps, snakes, jellyfish, mosquitoes, bees, or spiders), Exercise even mild ones, Stress (psychological, physiological, or due to environmental factors), Mechanical (due to friction or vibration)
These mast cells normally play a protective role in your body's defense against pathogens and the healing of wounds, they can be found all over the body, including in the skin, connective tissues, and the lining of the stomach and intestines. Histamine, which is an essential component of the body's immune defense system, is the chemical trigger that is most frequently released when these mast cells encounter a problem. Mast cells collect around a wound to form a scab, which aids in the healing process.
However, mastocytosis should not be confused with MCAS. Due to mast cells releasing an excessive amount of chemicals into the body, MCAS is linked to a severe allergic reaction. The condition known as mastocytosis, on the other hand, is brought on by a genetic abnormality that results in excessive production of mast cells in the body.
Common MCAS symptoms
Every system in the body is susceptible to MCAS, which can also result in a wide range of symptoms. According to the bodily system, common MCAS symptoms include:
Constitutional symptoms include exhaustion, malaise, chronic fatigue syndrome, flushing, persistent cold, sensitivity to chemicals and/or physical environments, sweating, and changes in appetite.
Heart-related symptoms include irregular heartbeat, tachycardia, palpitations, vascular permeability (inflammation and edema), low blood pressure, and lightheadedness.
Wheezing, breathlessness, coughing, sinusitis, rhinitis, increased mucus production, symptoms resembling asthma, and runny nose are all respiratory symptoms.
Headaches, irritability, anxiety, melancholy, brain fog, trouble concentrating, vertigo, tingling, tremors, and tics are all neurological symptoms.
psychological: irrationality, stress, sadness, PTSD, ADHD, anxiety, sleeplessness, and other sleep disorders
Reflux, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, alternating constipation and diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and bloating are gastrointestinal symptoms.
Dermatological: hives, flushing, edema, rashes, and itching
Musculoskeletal: hypermobility of the joints, fibromyalgia-like pain, joint discomfort, and joint pain
Skeletal: scoliosis, osteopenia, and osteoporosis
Genitourinary: frequent or hesitant urination, pain, and irritation in the urinary tract and/or genitalia.
MCAS screening:
N-methylhistamine Urine test after 24 hours: Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Urine Testing. This test determines the levels of histamine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes in your body. If high levels are detected, additional testing can be performed to rule out mastocytosis. Mastocytosis, unlike MCAS, is characterized by elevated levels of white blood cells.
Test for serum tryptase:
Tryptase is a marker that indicates how much degranulation has occurred in mast cells. Tryptase levels that are higher than normal but less than 20 ng/ml suggest Mast cell activation. When it is greater than 20 ng/ml, it indicates the possibility of systemic mastocytosis.
A complete blood count:
It must be thorough, including serum magnesium levels.
Biopsy of bone marrow
Mastocytosis can be detected through a bone marrow biopsy. If the biopsy is negative, this similar condition is effectively eliminated and the possibility of MCAS is indicated.
Considerations for MCAS Testing(NOTES)
Because tryptase and histamine levels often appear normal in people with MCAS, these tests are frequently performed twice: once at baseline and again when symptoms of the condition manifest.
In general, someone who has anaphylaxis could also have MCAS, though not everyone with MCAS has anaphylaxis.
In cases where one test results in a positive result but no clinical markers are present, an MCAS diagnosis may still be considered.
Surprisingly, many people who have POTS also have MCAS. POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, is a condition that causes an abnormally fast heart rate (tachycardia) when standing up from lying down.
Although research has not revealed how much these two conditions overlap, they may be linked with adrenal fatigue, as symptoms in all three conditions can be very similar and appear to have similar root causes.
Data about POTS
Women of menstrual age (approximately 80%) have the highest prevalence of POTS. The syndrome typically appears following a viral or bacterial infection or during a growth spurt. It can appear in some pregnant women.
When you have POTS, your body reacts physically by causing blood to rush from your upper extremities to your heart when you stand fast. The brain releases the hormone norepinephrine as an alert because there is less oxygen for the brain and risk of fainting. Norepinephrine travels to the heart and peripheral blood vessels, where it narrows blood vessels to speed up the heartbeat and boost blood flow to the brain to prevent dizziness.
In reaction to stress, the adrenal glands release the chemicals cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. These hormones guarantee that your body is prepared for survival. The adrenal glands must release more hormones when a stressful scenario lasts for a long time in order to ensure survival. They eventually get taxed, which causes the burnout that is so prevalent in the later stages of adrenal fatigue.
POTS is closely linked to mast cell activation and adrenal problems in terms of both its action and symptoms because of its connections to norepinephrine, the adrenals, and how the body reacts to standing-related stress. It has a significant impact on your autonomous nervous system as well.
RESOURCES:
https://www.nature.com/nrneurol/
2022. NP. Malika Katrouche. All Rights Reserved.
