You have a range of strange symptoms that come and go, and even you doubt whether there is something wrong with you at all. The cause of these mystery symptoms might be unknown, but their impact on you and your life is real and upsetting. Understanding the root cause of these issues can offer some peace of mind. Also, while there is no cure for MCAS, there are ways to manage your lifestyle and treat the symptoms that can provide relief.
Do you experience these mystery symptoms?
Let’s begin by assessing if your symptoms match the profile of someone with MCAS. One of the challenging aspects of the condition is the significant variety of potential symptoms. Here are a few you might recognize:
• Chronic fatigue, where you feel exhausted for no reason, even after a good night’s sleep.
• Gastrointestinal issues, from feeling bloated to nausea and constipation to diarrhea.
• Skin problems, with unexplained rashes, hives, and flushing.
• Headaches, which can often be debilitating and, at their worst, are migraines.
• Breathing difficulties include wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness.
• Heart palpitations, where you experience irregular heartbeats or a racing heart.
• Unexplained weight changes, as you lose or gain weight without explanation.
These are some, though not all, of the potential symptoms, and they can make you feel under attack. Some of these strange symptom combinations are scary, and you deserve a solution.
What is MCAS?
Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in your immune system. These cells are responsible for releasing histamine during allergic reactions. The cells are an early warning system against bodily invaders and encourage us to take action to remove the source of this response.
Mast cells are helpful when the release is regulated. When the cells become hyperactive, they release histamine inappropriately, and your strange symptoms are the allergic response they create.
It is not known how prevalent this auto-immune disease is because the symptoms overlap with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Diagnosis and treatment
If you suspect your body is responding to normal stimuli as if it is an allergic reaction, you could be experiencing MCAS. Diagnosis is tricky because no single test definitively separates the symptoms from overlapping conditions. It is possible to rule out a genuine allergic reaction with allergy tests. Blood and urine tests might show elevated tryptase or histamine. Then, if you respond to the treatments for hyperactive Mast Cells, you are likely someone with this condition.
Treatment consists of managing the symptoms and identifying the triggers. Environmental changes can cause a reaction, and determining what causes it can help you manage the condition. For instance, it might require changes to your diet. While undertaking this investigation, taking over-the-counter antihistamines can manage the symptoms.
What now?
Now, you can feel confident that there is a reason for your mystery symptoms. You can feel reassured that there is something wrong and there are things you can do. There is nothing worse than feeling unwell and not feeling seen in your suffering. You can search for relief with this possible source of your symptoms.
