Stress is one of the most common triggers of systemic mastocytosis (SM) symptoms.
Emotional reactions such as stress and anxiety stimulate mast cells and cause them to release greater levels of histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream.
What is SM?
Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a rare hematological disease characterized by mast cells that are overactive and accumulate in different parts of the body such as the bone marrow, liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract and lymph nodes.
Learning to manage stress levels with SM is key to avoiding symptom episodes and enjoying a better quality of life.
How stress affects SM symptoms
In SM, mast cells proliferate uncontrollably and build up in the connective tissue and internal organs.
Read more about SM signs and symptoms
Emotional, psychological or mental stress can trigger an allergic reaction, as can physical exertion, sudden changes in temperature, certain foods and medication, alcohol, pollen, insect stings or skin friction. The reaction releases histamine, cytokine and leukotrienes into the bloodstream.
A mind-body connection is evident in the effect of stress on SM symptoms. Stress stimulates the secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the hypothalamus as a way of controlling the stress response.
In SM patients, CRH can stimulate mast cell activation, causing an inflammatory response. Greater levels of CRH have been found in people with SM, leading to a more intense allergic reaction.
Associated symptoms of stress-related mast cell activation include skin irritation, itching, hives or flushing; gut-related issues such as cramps, nausea or vomiting; shortness of breath; heightened anxiety or fatigue; and bone or joint pain. Anaphylaxis is the most serious symptom and can be life-threatening.
Ways to manage stress
Your health care team will prescribe you antihistamines and advise you on how best to manage your symptoms. By lowering your stress levels in the following ways, you can avoid activating mast cells and triggering symptoms.
- Monitor your stress levels: Learn your stress triggers and avoid them. Understand how to lower your stress levels before they become critical.
- Get physically activity: Light regular physical activity is a known mood booster and stress reliever.
- Practice meditation, mindfulness and breathing exercises: Regulate your nervous system through guided meditation and deep breathing. Learn through mindfulness to calmly accept your feelings and thoughts instead of becoming stressed by them.
- Do cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT can teach you to reframe your feelings, thoughts and experiences in a way that makes them more manageable.
- Improve your sleep quality and routine: Uninterrupted quality sleep of six to eight hours nightly will support your overall health and well-being and help you to build tolerance and better resist emotional stress.
Sign up here to get the latest news, perspectives and information about SM sent directly to your inbox. Registration is free and only takes a minute.
