Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Lyme Disease
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Lyme Disease
What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)?
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), also commonly referred to as mast cell activation disorder (MCAD), is an immunological condition in which mast cells inappropriately and excessively release chemical mediators, resulting in a range of chronic symptoms, sometimes including anaphylaxis or near-anaphylaxis attacks. Primary symptoms include cardiovascular, dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological and respiratory problems.In other words, [source]
In other words, Mast cells are cells that generate an allergic reaction. Allergens binding to these cells cause the release of histamine, which causes immediate, and sometimes very intense, hypersensitivity reactions. Amy Yasko describes it this way, “Mast cells are like water balloons filled with histamine. When your body reacts to an allergen, it is like sticking a pin in the water balloon, allowing histamine to burst out.”
Mast cells can be found throughout the body. There is an abundance of mast cells beneath the epithelial surface of the skin and mucosal layers of the genitourinary, gastrointestinal, and respiratory tracts. Mast cells release a variety of mediators in response to external stimuli. In addition to mediators such as histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins, they also secrete a variety of cytokines.
MCAS is a condition that affects multiple systems, generally in an inflammatory manner. Symptoms of MCAS are caused by excessive chemical mediators inappropriately released by mast cells. Mediators include leukotrienes and histamines. The condition can be different in different individuals and may be mild until exacerbated by stressful life events, or symptoms may develop and slowly trend worse with time. This makes it hard to diagnose.
MCAS is commonly found in patients with Lyme Disease, Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
Symptoms of MCAS
Symptoms will commonly take place after certain “triggers.” A trigger may be a food you eat, a drink you drink or an emotional or stressful event.
Dermatological
- flushing
- easy bruising
- either a reddish or a pale complexion
- itchiness
- Cardiovascular
- lightheadedness, dizziness, presyncope, syncope
- Gastrointestinal
- diarrhea, cramping, intestinal discomfort
- nausea, vomiting
- Swallowing, throat tightness
- Psychological & Neurological
- brain fog, short term memory dysfunction, difficulty with recalling words
- headaches, migraines
- Respiratory
- congestion, coughing, wheezing
- Vision/Eyes
- ocular discomfort, conjunctivitis
- Constitutional
- general fatigue and malaise
- food, drug, and chemical intolerances (especially fragrances)
- sense of being cold all the time
- Musculoskeletal
- osteoporosis and osteopenia (including young patients)
- Anaphylaxis: difficulty breathing, itchy hives, flushing or pale skin, feeling of warmth, weak and rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and fainting.
Common triggers include:
- certain foods and drinks (especially alcohol, and high-histamine content foods)
(See List Here) - temperature extremes
- smells including perfumes, chemicals or smoke
- emotional stress
- hormonal changes, particularly during adolescence, pregnancy and women’s menstrual cycles
- physical exertion or exercise
- Fillers, binders and dyes in many medications are often the culprit in causing reactions, not necessarily the active agent, so patient’s sometimes have to use alternative formulations and compounding pharmacies.
Treatment
Common pharmacological and herbal treatments include:
- Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn sodium and quercetin
- H1-antihistamines, such as cetirizine or ketotifen
- H2-antihistamines, such as ranitidine or famotidine
- Antileukotrienes, such as montelukast or zileuton
- Curcumin or St. John’s wort extracts
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin can be very helpful in reducing inflammation in some patients, but it not recommended in every patient.
Natural Treatments
Lifestyle changes:
- Lowering stress
- A low histamine diet
Here is a list of foods to avoid if you are trying to do a low histamine diet
Histamine-Rich Foods: 
- Avocados
- Aged cheese
- Citrus fruits
- Cured meats: bacon, salami, pepperoni, luncheon meats and hot dogs
- Dried fruit: apricots, prunes, dates, figs, raisins
- Eggplant
- Fermented alcoholic beverages: wine, champagne and beer
- Fermented foods: sauerkraut, vinegar, soy sauce, kefir, yogurt, kombucha
- Fish: mackerel, mahi-mahi, tuna, anchovies, sardines and anything smoked
- Nuts: walnuts, cashews, and peanuts
- Soured foods: sour cream, sour milk, buttermilk, soured bread
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Vinegar-containing foods: pickles, mayonnaise, olives, dressings
Histamine-Releasing Foods:
- Alcohol
- Bananas
- Chocolate
- Cow’s Milk
- Nuts
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Shellfish
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Wheat Germ
- Many artificial preservatives and dyes
DAO-Blocking Foods:
- Alcohol
- Energy drinks
- Black tea
- Mate tea
- Green tea
[Source]
Also Read: How To Naturally Boost Production Of The Histamine Degrading DAO Enzyme
MCAS is a new diagnosis, being unnamed until 2007,
Research:
- Borrelia burgdorferi Spirochetes Induce Mast Cell Activation and Cytokine Release
- Mast cells in allergic and inflammatory diseases
Mast Cell as Related to Lyme Disease
- Mast cells and Lyme by LymeMD
- Is Mast Cell Activation Making You Sick? by ProHealth
- Histamine: Mast Cell Disorder or Methylation Imbalance?
- Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: Lymenet Forum Discussion
- LymeMD blogs about MCAD – Mast Cell Activation Disorder and Lyme
- How Mast Cell Activation Disorder and Histamine Intolerance May Be Affecting Your Recovery From Lyme Disease
- Meet MCAS, An Allergic Immune System Disorder Linked To Lyme Disease
- Dr. Amy Yasko on Allergic Reactions and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
You may also be interested in learning about Mastocytosis.
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Books
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