Anaphylaxis Definition - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Anaphylaxis Food Allergy

Anaphylaxis a response exhibited by a hypersensitive individual when exposed to a particular ANTIGEN. It results from the release of histamine in body tissues following the ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY reaction within cells.

An allergic reaction is an example of mild ANAPHYLAXIS. Anaphylactic shock is a much rarer and more serious condition which can follow the injection of drugs, vaccine or an insect sting to which the individual is hypersensitive. Its onset is immediate and results from the prolific release of histamine.

What are the common causes of anaphylaxis?

The most common causes of anaphylaxis include:

• Drugs, such as penicillin
• Foods such as peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans), milk, eggs, fish and shellfish
• Insect stings from bees, yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and fire ants
• Latex

There are yet other causes of anaphylaxis. You will see more about some of those below. Anaphylaxis has become an important issue in medicine and for the increased numbers of people who have had an attack of anaphylaxis.

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

Symptoms include

• severe breathing difficulties,
• swelling (OEDEMA),
• a fall in blood pressure,
• acute nettle rash and
• heart failure.

Death may follow unless the individual is soon treated with ADRENALINE by injection.

Treatment of Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is an emergency condition requiring immediate professional medical attention. Assessment of the ABC's (airway, breathing, and circulation from Basic Life Support) should be done in all suspected anaphylactic reactions.

There is one drug which will work against all the effects of all the dangerous substances released in anaphylaxis. It is adrenaline (epinephrine).

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Health Tip

Reduced carbon di oxide levels in the blood can be restored to normal by a slowly breathing into and out of a paper bag about 10 times and then breathing normally for 15 seconds untill the rapid breathing ceases.