MishpishJust the facts: A simple explanation of Anaphylaxis
February 15th 2008 02:47
People these days are often throwing around different terms regarding food allergies -- let's clear up exactly what is meant by 'anaphylaxis'. Many people suffer from food allergies. Many more people suffer from food intolerances. Often these two terms of mixed up and confused. For example, people with 'lactose intolerance' get stomach troubles if they eat dairy. But they're not allergic. Someone who is allergice will have vomiting, hives, rash etc.
Anaphylaxis is the most severe type of food allergy that a person can suffer. It doesn't have to come from just food either. People can also suffer an anaphylactic reaction when they are stung by a certain type of insect (my mom has this to fire ants... many people have this allergy to bee stings) or even medicine.
Anaphylaxis is an acute systemic (whole body) type of allergic reaction. It occurs when a person has become sensitized to an allergen (that is, the immune system has been abnormally triggered to recognise that allergen as a threat to the body). The body sees the allergen as a threat, and releases lots of 'histimines' into the body, which causes a cataclysmic chain reaction, such as constriction of the airways, resulting in wheezing; difficulty breathing. It also causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Histamine causes the blood vessels to dilate (which lowers blood pressure) and fluid to leak from the bloodstream into the tissues (which lowers the blood volume), resulting in shock. Fluid can leak into the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs, causing pulmonary edema.
Hives on the lips, eyelids, throat, and/or tongue often occur, and may be severe enough to cause obstruction of the airway.
Anaphylaxis can occur in response to any allergen. Common causes include insect bites/stings, horse serum (used in some vaccines), food allergies, and drug allergies. Pollens and other inhaled allergens rarely cause anaphylaxis. Some people have an anaphylactic reaction with no identifiable cause.
What to do:
If you think someone is suffering anaphylactic shock, find out if they carry an epi-pen (adrenaline injection). Administer it (instructions are on the injector) and then call for emergency. Even if a person seems to be better after the injection, still call emergency, as the adrenaline injection may only help for a limited time.
Epi-Pens
Anaphylaxis is the most severe type of food allergy that a person can suffer. It doesn't have to come from just food either. People can also suffer an anaphylactic reaction when they are stung by a certain type of insect (my mom has this to fire ants... many people have this allergy to bee stings) or even medicine.
Anaphylaxis is an acute systemic (whole body) type of allergic reaction. It occurs when a person has become sensitized to an allergen (that is, the immune system has been abnormally triggered to recognise that allergen as a threat to the body). The body sees the allergen as a threat, and releases lots of 'histimines' into the body, which causes a cataclysmic chain reaction, such as constriction of the airways, resulting in wheezing; difficulty breathing. It also causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Histamine causes the blood vessels to dilate (which lowers blood pressure) and fluid to leak from the bloodstream into the tissues (which lowers the blood volume), resulting in shock. Fluid can leak into the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs, causing pulmonary edema.
Hives on the lips, eyelids, throat, and/or tongue often occur, and may be severe enough to cause obstruction of the airway.
Anaphylaxis can occur in response to any allergen. Common causes include insect bites/stings, horse serum (used in some vaccines), food allergies, and drug allergies. Pollens and other inhaled allergens rarely cause anaphylaxis. Some people have an anaphylactic reaction with no identifiable cause.
What to do:
If you think someone is suffering anaphylactic shock, find out if they carry an epi-pen (adrenaline injection). Administer it (instructions are on the injector) and then call for emergency. Even if a person seems to be better after the injection, still call emergency, as the adrenaline injection may only help for a limited time.
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