Asthma and Health Care Professionals

Anaphylactic Shock Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that occurs rapidly and causes a life-threatening response involving the whole body. It is a very serious condition and needs to be handled quickly and decisively. In this essay we will discuss the causes, signs and symptoms and finally the treatment. There are many triggers that cause anaphylactic shock. Some of the more common triggers are food allergies, insect allergies, and drug allergies. Tissues in different parts of the body release histamine and other substances. This causes the airways to tighten and leads to other symptoms. “Some drugs (morphine, x-ray dye, aspirin and others) may cause and anaphylactic-like reaction when people are first exposed to them. These reactions are not the same as immune system response that occurs with “true” anaphylaxis. However, the symptoms, risk for complications, and treatment are the same for both types of reactions.” The signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock show differently and to different magnitudes in each person. Some normal and beginning symptoms are flushing of skin, itching (normally in groin and armpits), and hives. More serious and shock indicating symptoms include “a feeling of impending doom, anxiety, sometimes a rapid, irregular pulse”. Finally symptoms of full blown shock that needs immediate medical attention are “throat and tongue swelling results in hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing.” Treatment of anaphylactic has 4 main treatments which we will discuss. First is “oxygen, to help compensate for restricted breathing”. Next is administering “epinephrine, to reduce your body’s allergic response”. After that would be “intravenous (IV) antihistamines and cortisone to reduce inflammation of your air passages and improve breathing”. Finally, administering “a beta-agonist (such as albuterol) to relieve breathing symptoms”. Every case of anaphylactic shock is very different due to every person reacting differently. Most cases are treated on a symptom based scale. The most important idea to understand about anaphylactic shock is that the patient will be in great distress and could be very anxious. We as health care professionals must understand that we need to keep the patient as calm and comfortable as we can to help out in this time of distress for them. Finally we must provide the best medical care we can as swiftly as the patient’s condition allows, ensuring the best outcome possible.

Source: http://mayoclinic.com/health/anaphylaxis/DS00009/DSECTION=treatment-and-drugs http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/mobileart.asp?articlekey=12953&page=6 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000844.htm