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What we're going to do now is just look at what the definition of anaphylaxis is. It's important to understand what anaphylaxis is if we have any hope of then being able to treat it. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can affect the whole body. It may well come on in a matter of seconds or minutes, and it's usually activated by some kind of trigger. It could be a food or some kind of injection in the form of a bee sting or a wasp sting. The allergic reaction is caused within the immune system. The immune system is there to protect your body from bacteria, viruses, or anything else that's harmful. If you have an allergy, your immune system mistakenly thinks that a substance which is harmless to most people is a threat. The body reacts to the substance by producing antibodies to destroy the threat. These antibodies trigger the release of histamine and other chemicals which cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction. If somebody is allergic to a food, maybe seafood, maybe crab, something like that; they eat crab, and then within a few minutes they become vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and they become very very unwell. And this type of reaction is not a respiratory problem. It is more of a digestive system problem. Other reactions can be where you get bitten by mosquitoes and then you end up with quite a large swelling over your arms or your legs. Again, this is an allergic reaction, but it's not the type of reaction we're dealing with here. An anaphylactic reaction that requires treatment will be where we have this major threat to the body. Maybe peanuts have been eaten. The body is reacting and the body is causing all sorts of other signs and symptoms which are massively affecting the way the person can breathe and act. So now that we've defined anaphylaxis, what we're now going to do is look at all the individual stages of anaphylaxis and also the treatment.
Anaphylaxis Demystified
Defining Anaphylaxis
The NHS Perspective:
The NHS National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence defines anaphylaxis as a "severe, life-threatening, generalised or systemic hypersensitivity reaction."
Varying Susceptibility
Not Allergic, Not Always Anaphylactic:
Not everyone possesses allergies, and having allergies doesn't guarantee susceptibility to anaphylactic shock.
Unpredictable Onset:
Anaphylaxis can initiate suddenly within seconds, over minutes, or even hours after allergen exposure.
Common Allergenic Culprits
Food Triggers:
Common food allergens encompass peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, citrus fruit, eggs, and dairy products like milk and cheese.
Other Allergens:
Additional allergenic sources include venom from insect stings or bites, medications (commonly antibiotics, aspirin, or ibuprofen), and substances like latex.
Anaphylaxis Unveiled
Distinctive Indications:
Anaphylaxis manifests in specific ways, with breathing difficulties being a predominant symptom due to airway constriction.
Breathing Distress:
The condition leads to the narrowing of air passages in the lungs, impeding oxygen intake, resulting in rapid, shallow breathing.
Cardiovascular Impact:
Anaphylaxis can induce a drop in blood pressure, potentially causing fainting or unconsciousness as the body attempts to restore oxygen supply to the brain.
Secondary Symptoms:
Additional signs encompass an accelerated heartbeat, cold, clammy skin, confusion, or nausea. The severity of these symptoms correlates with the intensity of the reaction.
Understanding the gravity of anaphylaxis and its triggers is essential for timely intervention.