Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
MCAS relates to symptoms caused by excess histamine. Specific white blood cells, called mast cells, which reside in most tissues, release histamine in response to many triggers including bacteria, mold, allergens, and toxins.
Excess histamine causes many symptoms including itching, hives and rashes, headaches, digestive issues including bloating, nausea and diarrhea, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, and fatigue often due to insomnia.
Supplements, over the counter medications, do low histamine diets and pharmaceuticals do help to minimize or control MCAS symptoms but will not address the various underlying causes.
Investigation
The search for the triggers of histamine release is the primary objective in resolving MCAS.
The blood test for histamine to confirm MCAS is unreliable since the procedure of collecting blood is complicated, having to use a cold collection tube and to immediately freeze the blood.
Blood testing may show an increase in one white blood cell called an eosinophil. This may also indicate an underlying cause of parasites.
Allergy testing, the skin prick for various allergens, can be helpful and will confirm MCAS if most of the allergen injections become red and inflamed. The term is a ‘Universal Reactor.’
Looking for causes, food allergy blood testing may be useful but very often, when the person removes the allergic foods from their diet and experiences less symptoms, inevitably they begin reacting to other foods.
Electrodermal Screening is a test which measures the energy or Chi in acupuncture points and can help to determine if intestinal parasites and foreign bacteria are an underlying cause.
Looking at a tiny finger prick of blood under a darkfield microscope can determine if there is a low-grade chronic bacterial infection as well as systemic mold. Both the biotoxins from the bacteria and the mycotoxins from the mold are common causes of MCAS.
Root canals can harbor bacteria, another cause.
For people with a history of taking multiple antibiotics, an overgrowth of intestinal yeast or Candida can be a trigger.
Conclusion
As with most chronic symptoms, the ideal approach is to investigate the underlying causes and to remove them.
This wider perspective is not usually within the vision of most physicians. Taking supplements to treat symptoms is a step in the right direction even though many people understand the concept of treating the cause and not the symptoms.