Anaphylaxis

Also termed anaphylactic shock, anaphylaxis is a systemic allergic reaction/sensitivity to a substance like a food protein, which can be fatal within minutes. This occurs either through swelling that shuts off bronchial airways, through a dramatic drop in blood pressure, or sudden loss of consciousness.

Physiological description:

Anaphylaxis occurs in allergic individuals when in contact with or after ingesting an allergen. Their immune system perceives the allergen as a foreign substance to which their bodies are primed to react against. To fight the foreign organism IgE proteins (a type of antibody) are mediated causing smooth-muscle contraction, resulting in several possible outcomes:

Distinctive symptoms:

• hives
• swelling of the throat, lips, tongue or around the eyes
• difficulty breathing or swallowing

other signs:

• metallic taste or itching in the mouth
• generalised flushing, itching or redness of the skin
• abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• increased heart rate
• paleness with rapid drop in blood pressure
• sudden weakness
• overwhelming anxiety
• collapse

Effective treatment is available, so death from anaphylaxis can be prevented in most cases. However, needless deaths still occur because symptoms go unrecognised or due to delayed treatment.

Contact Information:
Health Brands Australia
64 Fennell Street, Port Melbourne VIC 3207 Australia
Phone: +61 (3) 9673 5800 Fax: +61 (3) 9673 5899
Email: enquiries@healthbrands.com.au
Web: http://www.healthbrands.com.au

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