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 PATIENT EDUCATION
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What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction and is a medical emergency. It requires immediate medical attention. It can result in difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, and possibly death if not immediately treated.
Anaphylaxis occurs in some people when they are exposed to a substance in which they are allergic called an allergen.
Mechanisms
Anaphylaxis is caused the same way other allergies are. The bodies defense against countless substances, the immune system, overreacts to a substance generally considered harmless. To those with severe allergies, however, such substances can be dangerous.
A specific antibody called Immunoglobulin E or IgE is present in people who have allergies. When allergens first enter the body of a person predisposed to allergies, a series of reactions occur, and allergen-specific IgE antibodies are produced. They travel and attach themselves to the surface of cells called mast cells, where they wait for their particular allergen.
The next time that person comes into contact with the allergens he or she is sensitive to, the IgE captures them and initiates the release of chemical "mediators" from the mast cells. If anaphylaxis occurs, the reaction is severe and requires immediate medical treatment.
Signs and Symptoms
Various organ systems are affected by a "systemic reaction" also known as Anaphylaxis. Some systems affected are the skin, upper and lower respiratory tracts, cardiovascular system, eyes, uterus, and bladder. Some symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, hives, swelling of the tissues in the lips or joints, diarrhea, itchy skin, severe anxiety, headache, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Some of the most dangerous symptoms include low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, shock, and loss of consciousness.
If you or someone you know has experienced an anaphylaxis reaction it is very important that you make an appointment and speak with one of our allergists. They will obtain a detailed medical and allergic history and with your help choose the best diagnostic and treatment options
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