Common Symptoms Of Mastocytosis

Lightheadedness

Mastocytosis is characterized by mast cell accumulation in different tissues around the body. Mast cells are certain migrant cells of an individual's immune system that feature granules of heparin and histamine. Mast cells are responsible for the regulation of blood vessel dilation, immune responses, vascular homeostasis, venom detoxification, and angiogenesis in the body. These cells have also been identified as playing a key role in the pathophysiology of asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease, allergies, anaphylaxis, and numerous types of malignancy. In a normal state, the lungs do not contain a large number of mast cell derivatives. When an antigen comes in contact with the respiratory tract lining, mast cell derivatives are summoned to the respiratory endothelium. Those affected by mastocytosis already have an excess amount of mast cells that may be concentrated in the lungs, exasperating the symptoms that occur upon their activation. Bronchial constriction and edema cause a decrease in lung capacity, which results in reduced blood oxygen concentration. Low oxygen concentrations in the blood cause deprivation of oxygen in the brain tissues that may result in lightheadedness. Hypotension from vasodilation has also been implicated as a cause of this symptom in mastocytosis.

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