Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

    Mast cells are a type of specialized cell found in various tissues throughout the body. Mast cells are born in the bone marrow along with our red and white blood cells. They migrate to locations in the tissues near the interface between the body and the outside world, where they can monitor for perceived threats. They reside throughout the body, in mucous membranes such as the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract, near the surface of the skin, near blood vessels and nerve cells, and in the brain. They contain hundreds of chemical messengers known as mediators, including histamine, heparin, leukotrienes, serotonin, and other inflammatory chemicals called cytokines and chemokines.

     When your body is exposed to an infection, a toxin, an allergen, or encounters some other trigger, your mast cells will come to the rescue. They will inform your immune system of the danger. Mast cells signal other aspects of the immune system by releasing their mediators in a process called degranulation. This is an important protective mechanism that helps fight off invaders and support recovery from infections, allergens and toxins.

     Your mast cells play a very important role in your health. Without their help, you wouldn’t be able to survive, but when your mast cells aren’t working properly and become dysregulated, it can cause problems in your system.

     Mast cells can become overactive or dysregulated, releasing mediators even after the initial threat has passed. They can release chemicals even when there is no real danger in sight. They can start to react to substances that would otherwise not be dangerous, such as the foods we eat or the smell of substances we previously tolerated. This wreaks havoc on your system, causing widespread symptoms and chronic health problems. This is a condition known as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).