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Mast Cell Activation Disorder

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​Background

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​​There are several medical conditions that are known to overlap with MCAS and these include the connective tissue disorder Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (usually the hypermobility type) and dysautonomia where there are defects in parts of the nervous system that can lead to manifestations such as POTS (lightheadedness and palpitations with standing). There are several other disorders that patients with MCAS may be diagnosed with and these may be truly separate disorders or directly linked to the MCAS. These include chronic fatigue and pain syndromes, anxiety and depression, chemical sensitivities, and chronic Lyme disease.

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Clinical Information

How MCAS presents

Basic symptoms

  • Unexplained allergic reactions, not classic IgE allergies, but eating certain foods elicits itching in the throat.

  • Low blood pressure or feeling faint

  • Hives, rash, skin itching

  • Dermographism

  • Angioedema (swelling of face, hands, lips)

  • Vertigo

  • Bloating

  • Tachycardia (elevated heart rate at rest)

  • Flushing

  • Chronic headache

  • Severe heartburn

  • Diarrhea

  • Runny nose/ watery eyes

  • Abdominal pain
      A noted uptick in the above symptoms may occur with stress– (stress releases corticotropin releasing factor which in turns can activate mast cells

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Diagnosis 

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