Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction that is severe enough to cause a shock. This potentially life-threatening shock comes about due to decreased oxygenation of tissues. There are a number of reasons for a person to go into an anaphylactic shock. Bee stings, pollen count, peanut, and allergies to food such as nuts, shellfish, eggs, and fruits, and certain medications can cause an anaphylactic shock. Some people may have such high food sensitivities that even inhaling certain foods being cooked can cause anaphylactic shock. For instance, the smell of cooked fish, or opening a can of peanuts, can trigger shock. Sometimes, when people exercise within a couple of hours of ingesting certain types of food causing allergy, anaphylactic shock occurs.
Allergies can often be pretty mild in the form of sinus infections and hay fever but can be at times severe enough to cause anaphylactic shock.
How does one get an anaphylactic shock?
An anaphylactic shock is the body’s immune system overreacting to a trigger. There are two types of anaphylaxis: immunologic and non-immunologic. Both are caused when the poison from a food allergy or bee sting gets into the system, causing a hypersensitive reaction. But the two types command a different pathological reaction within the body. The allergens will react to the antibodies in the system, causing a whole series of immunological response.
A person suffering from an anaphylactic shock may exhibit symptoms in 5-30 minutes. The patient’s blood pressure drops due to blood vessel dilation, which causes the person to look flushed, and swelling happens as the fluid gets out of the vessels. This is often accompanied by itchiness and a runny nose. Lightheadedness and feeling faint, clammy skin, fast heartbeat, feelings of anxiety are all other symptoms. But the most severe symptom is that of bronchial spasms, which makes it very difficult for the person in shock to breathe. Swelling in the throat can cause constriction of the airway, causing it more difficult to breathe.
A person who is prone to such shocks may usually have an adrenaline auto-injector on them, but do not administer it if you are not sure how to. Remove any allergens from the spot, and make the person lie down flat. Call for an ambulance and mention to the paramedics that the person may be having an anaphylactic shock.
When a patient is brought in exhibiting symptoms of anaphylactic shock, the first intervention should be to address their respiratory problem following the airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) treatment. The first step would be to clear up their airway, by providing oxygen to fill up their lungs. Simultaneously, the patient needs to be administered medication to maintain blood pressure at a normal range. Epinephrine is the medication of choice for this step as it will also open up the airway. IV fluids are given as well to kick start the circulatory system of the patient, and antihistamines are provided to counteract the effect of histamines in the body.
If you suffer from anaphylactic shocks, avoid triggers that cause the reaction, and carry your adrenaline auto-injector with you always.
