Mast Cells - What Are These Potentially Rogue Covert Immune Cells?

Mast cells (MC) are a type Howacid blood cell that Acid Refluxthe Two Most Common Acid Reflux Surgery With Quick Recovery come from Acid Reflux Cause bone marrow. They travel to other areas of the body where they specialize Index have various immune and body regulation functions. They do this primarily through the release of various chemical mediators from granules Acid Reflux Cause them when triggered by mechanical, stressful, infectious or allergic stimuli.

First described Beverages That Cause Acid Reflux, Change Your Lifestyle$anchor$ 1878, their name is derived from a German term, "Mastzellen" that is interpreted as "feeding-cells" because the scientist Paul Ehrlich who named them thought that since they contain granules and were found near blood vessels and nerves that their role was to nourish the surrounding tissues. It is now known that these granules contain various chemical mediators that help fight infections and regulate body functions. For example, when a parasite is eaten Acid Reflux Cause inside the digestive tract lining secrete chemicals that both aid Acid Refluxprevent And Treat Heartburn Or Acid Reflux the destruction and elimination of the parasite. The chemicals secreted can be directly toxic to the parasite, attract other infection fighting cells, Acid Reflux Cure eosinophils that also fight parasites, and increase water secretion and contractions of the bowel to wash and propel the parasite out of the body. It is easy to see how excess numbers and excess activation of MC could lead to abdominal cramps and diarrhea seen in mastocytic enterocolitis, a newly recognized form of IBS. Chemical mediators are released when the granules "degranulate". These cells are hard to see under the microscope without special stains. Until recently such stains were not readily available and these cells nearly impossible to see therefore their role was underestimated or miss in many conditions.

Widely distributed throughout the body, tissue specific MC are typically found near blood vessels and nerves. Stimulation often results in increase permeability of the tissue. When this occurs in area of blood vessels swelling, warmth, and redness occurs. Other immune or inflammatory cells are also attracted to the area. When near nerves this often results in pain and either increase contractions of the tissue or paralysis. In the gut, the result is often diarrhea and abdominal pain but constipation or ileus may also occur.

MC are often increased in the lining of tissues that have contact outside environment. They are present normally in small numbers under the surface of the mucosal lining of the eyes, nose, mouth, lungs and the digestive tract as well as in the skin. Mucosal mast cells (MMC) are increased in several diseases or abnormal conditions of the mucosa, especially allergic, autoimmune and after infections. They also are increased with stress. They are also located in the lining of the reproductive tract, bladder, heart, brain and nerve tissues where they have also been found to be increased in several diseases.

Many conditions are now being linked to increased or abnormal responses of MC in tissues. In the bowel, MC are believed to be involved in the early phases of celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBS. Stress increases the number of MC in the bowel as well as their release of their chemicals. It appears MC may be one of, if not the most important link between stress and bowel disorders. In a follow up article we will review more about these rogue covert immune cells.

The Food Doc, Dr. Scot Lewey, is an expert medical doctor specializing in digestive diseases and food related illness, especially food allergies, celiac disease and colitis. Dr. Lewey's expert reputation as the Food Doc is established by a foundation of formal training in internal medicine, pediatrics, and gastroenterology (diseases of the digestive Acid Refluxfacts About Acid Reflux Treatment his personal and family experience with gluten and milk sensitivity, and over two decades as a practicing physician, clinical researcher, author and speaker. Access this expert knowledge online today at http://www.thefooddoc.com

By Kathryn Whittaker Caffeineand acid reflux have one thing in common they both cause problems within your body that can lead to unpleasant health issues such as heartburn. In fact, caffeine Acid Refluxthe Relationship Between Asthma And Acid Reflux relaxes the lower esophagus sphincter (LES) which dramatically increases your acid reflux risk. Therefore, if you enjoy daily cups of coffee and/or tea and suffer from frequent acid reflux or acid indigestion (heartburn), your caffeine intake could very well be the cause of your upper gastroint