A :
B :
C :
D :
E :
F :
G :
H :
I :
J :
K :
L :
M :
N :
O :
P :
Q :
R :
S :
T :
U :
V :
W :
X :
Y :
Z
Anaphylaxis
Medical Questions » Anaphylaxis
| Name: Anaphylaxis |
| Also known as: Anaphylactic Shock |
| Immediate, severe, life-threatening reaction to an allergy-causing substance. |
Causes of Anaphylaxis
Insect stings (eg. bees, hornets, wasps, ants) and injected drugs are the most likely causes. It is rare for inhaled, touched or eaten substances to cause this reaction. |
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
Patient rapidly becomes sweaty, develops widespread pins and needles, may develop a generalized flush or red rash, or swelling in one or more parts of the body (possibly including the tongue, throat and eyelids), starts wheezing, becomes blue around the lips, may become incontinent of urine, loses consciousness, convulses and stops breathing. Swelling of the tongue and throat may cause death by suffocation if air is unable to pass into the lungs. |
Tests for Anaphylaxis
No time for tests during attack. Blood and skin tests to identify responsible substance can be very carefully performed at a later time. |
Treatment for Anaphylaxis
First aid: patient placed on their back with the neck extended to give the best possible airway, and mouth to mouth resuscitation and external cardiac massage may be necessary.
Medical treatment: emergency medical assistance necessary, as an injection of a drug such as adrenaline, hydro cortisone, aminophylline and an antihistamine (this is the preferred order) can reverse the reaction and save the patient' s life. Patients who are aware that they may have an anaphylactic reaction often carry an adrenaline injection with them at all times to be used in an emergency.
|
Complications of Anaphylaxis of its treatment
Not yet. |
Likely Outcome of Anaphylaxis
Patients respond well to appropriate treatment, but death may occur within minutes if medical help is not immediately available. |
|
|
