Anaphylactic shock
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction which may endanger a person’s life. This can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen, such as poison from a bee sting or a peanut.Large amount of chemicals released by the immune system during anaphylaxis can cause anaphylactic shock: blood pressure drops suddenly, the airways narrow and block normal breathing.
Symptoms
Events occur quickly, often within seconds or minutes. These can include:
- abdominal pain
- abnormal sounds when breathing
- cough
- chest discomfort or chest pressure sensation
- dyspnoea
- diarrhea
- shortness of breath
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness or fainting
- hives, itching
- nasal congestion
- nausea or vomiting
- palpitations
- redness
- slurred speech
- swelling of the face, eyes or tongue
- unconscious
- weezing.
Causes
The immune system produces antibodies that defends against foreign substances. This is beneficial when harmful foreign substances enter the body (viruses, bacteria, and so on). However, certain people’s immune system overreaction to certain substances, which should not trigger allergic reactions. When this happens, the immune system triggers a chemical chain reaction that causes allergy symptoms.
Some triggers, frequency-incriminated the occurrence of anaphylaxis include:
- certain drugs, especially penicillin, and aspirin, anti-inflammatory and intravenous contrast agents
- foods such as nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs
- stings of bees, wasps, ants and other insects.
Treatment
Anaphylaxis is an emergency condition that requires medical care quickly. Until the doctors involved, evaluate the airways of the person making an attack of anaphylaxis, how breathing and blood pressure.
A warning sign of inflammation of the throat is hoarse or whispered voice. Try to quiet and calm person with an attack of anaphylaxis. If the allergic reaction is triggered by a bee sting, scrape the needle from the skin with your fingernail or plastic credit card. Do not use tweezers to squeeze, as this could lead to the release of large quantities of venom.
If patient has medication you need to use them in an emergency, help him and inject them. Avoid using oral medication if the person has difficulty breathing.
Take steps to prevent anaphylactic shock. The concerned will stay in horizontal position, raise feet to 30 cm of soil and will be covered with a blanket. Do not take this position if any injury is suspected head, neck or back or if the position causes discomfort. Also, do not place a pillow under the head of allergic person, if you have breathing problems to avoid blocking the airway.