This perplexes me. I’ve heard of pressure changes causing a lapse in the immune system that would make someone more sensitive to allergens, but I’ve never heard of a full-blown episode being triggered solely from pressure changes. Someone mentioned they had “Mast Cell Activation Syndrome” (MCAS), and that this was a legitimate reality for them. They said they would board a plane and the simple pressurization of the chamber would trigger it.
What is actually happening here?
In: Biology
Unsatisfying answer but there is likely no known explanation for why pressure changes would trigger your friend’s MCAS.
Mast cells normally play a role as activators of inflammatory responses in your body. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome is when those cells abnormally activate, causing the constellation of symptoms known as MCAS.
Unfortunately, it is challenging to diagnose MCAS as symptoms vary widely from patient to patient and can affect multiple organs. The symptoms (allergic reactions/anaphylaxis/near-anaphylaxis) are also not unique to MCAS and could be caused by other diseases.
Different types of mast cell activation disorders also have similar presentation and inconsistent definitions and diagnostic criteria, making it harder to diagnose and identify specific triggers or why they occur.
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