| WHAT IS MASTOCYTIC ENTEROCOLITIS? | | | | takes samples of tissue, called biopsies, from the |
| Mastocytic enterocolitis (entero=small intestine, colitis- | | | | lining of your intestines. The tissue is then sent to a |
| colon + -itis= inflammation) is a newly discovered | | | | pathologist who looks at it under the microscope. |
| disorder defined by the presence of increased mast | | | | Mast cells may be hard to see on biopsies without a |
| cells in the intestine. Mast cells are a type of immune | | | | special stain for tryptase, an enzyme present in mast |
| cell. They are involved in allergy reactions, infection | | | | cells. Mastocytic enterocolitis is diagnosed when |
| fighting and nerve regulation in the body. They have | | | | excess mast cells are present in the small bowel or |
| numerous granules that contain a variety of chemicals | | | | the colon. |
| that mediate body reactions i.e. chemical mediators. | | | | HOW IS IT TREATED? |
| Histamine is one of the main chemical mediators in | | | | There are medications that can reduce or block the |
| mast cells that are released when mast cells are | | | | release of the chemicals by the mast cells. The most |
| triggered. Mast cells present in the superficial intestinal | | | | common are antihistamines, both type I and type |
| lining or mucosa in small numbers except when there | | | | antihistamines. Type I antihistamines are typically used |
| are parasites, food allergies, increased stress or the | | | | for allergies symptoms such as Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin |
| presence of other chronic inflammatory bowel | | | | etc. The type II antihistamines are also acid blockers |
| diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. | | | | such as Zantac, Tagamet and Pepcid. The most |
| When mast cells release histamine and other | | | | specific therapy for mastocytic enterocolitis is a |
| chemicals, this irritates or inflames the bowel making | | | | medication that stabilizes mast cells known as |
| it more permeable or leaky. This can set up a vicious | | | | cromolyn sodium (Gastrocrom). This drug prevents |
| cycle of pain and further gut injury. | | | | the release of chemicals including histamine from |
| WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? | | | | mast cells. It is typically prescribed four times a day |
| The most common symptoms are diarrhea, bloating | | | | for about 4-6 weeks. Along with medication, you |
| and abdominal pain. However, constipation may occur | | | | should have allergy testing done for the most |
| due to gut paralysis. Nausea, vomiting and various | | | | common allergies, work on reducing or coping better |
| non-GI symptoms such as flushing, headaches, and | | | | with stress and consider taking a probiotic |
| fatigue may also commonly occur. When histamine is | | | | supplement. |
| released, it can cause leaky gut, increased | | | | Copyright 2008 Dr. Scot M. Lewey, "Dr Celiac, the |
| contractions of the gut or decreased contractions, | | | | Food Doc" All RIghts Reserved |
| increased secretions and increased pain. | | | | This may be reprinted for non-commercial patient use |
| HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED? | | | | provided the contact information above is included. |
| When you have an endoscopic procedure, the doctor | | | | |