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.