Anaphylactic shock or, in other words, anaphylaxis is a very serious manifestation of an allergic reaction that is characterized by lightning, and can lead to death. If a person suddenly became ill, how to understand - is it anaphylaxis or not? How to provide first aid for anaphylactic shock? Read more about this and much more.
Symptoms and forms of anaphylactic shock
Recognize anaphylactic shock is not easy because of the polymorphism of this reaction. In each case, the symptoms are diverse and closely related to the "attacked" body.
There are three forms of anaphylactic shock:
- Lightning fast . Often the patient does not even have time to realize what is happening to him. After the allergen gets into the blood, the disease develops very rapidly (1-2 min). The first symptoms are a sharp blanching of the skin and shortness of breath, signs of clinical death are possible. Shortly there is an acute cardiovascular insufficiency and, as a result, death.
- Heavy . After 5-10 minutes after the allergen enters the blood, signs of anaphylactic shock begin to appear. Man lacks air, pains in the heart. If the necessary assistance is not provided immediately after the onset of the first symptoms, a fatal outcome may occur.
- Average . After 30 minutes after the allergen enters the blood, the patient begins to develop fever , headache, unpleasant sensations in the chest area. Rarely, lethal outcome is possible.
Among the possible manifestations of anaphylaxis are:
- Cutaneous - hives, redness, irritation, rash, swelling of the Quincke.
- Respiratory - shortness of breath, noisy breathing, swelling of the upper respiratory tract, asthma attack, severe itching in the nose, sudden rhinitis.
- Cardiovascular - rapid heartbeat, a feeling that it "turned", "breaks out of the chest," loss of consciousness, severe pain behind the sternum.
- Gastrointestinal - heaviness in the stomach, nausea, vomiting, stool with blood, spasms.
- Neurological - convulsive syndrome, arousal, a sense of anxiety, panic.
Causes of anaphylactic shock
Anaphylactic shock can have various causes. Most often, anaphylaxis occurs in allergic genesis. But there is also an allergy variant. What happens in the body in shock?
In case of allergic anaphylaxis, the "foreign" protein, getting into the body, entails the allocation of a huge amount of histamine, which, in turn, greatly expands the vessels, causing edema, as well as a sharp drop in blood pressure.
In the case of non-allergic anaphylaxis, the cause of histamine release may be various drugs that act on so-called "mast cells" and provoke the same symptoms.
Most often, the reactions occur at the level of the skin and mucous membranes. Manifestations are visualized shortly after contact with the cause of the shock (within minutes).
Most often, the causes of anaphylactic shock of allergic genesis are:
- drugs (penicillin, tetracycline, cephalosporin, streptomycin);
- hormonal drugs (insulin, parathyroid hormone, progesterone);
- enzymes (streptokinase, trypsin, hemotrepsin);
- serum (tetanus, antidiphtheria, antilymphocytic globulin);
- poison (bees, snakes, ants);
- Inoculations (mainly those that are made on the basis of egg white - ovalbumin);
- food products (nuts, honey, fish, seafood);
- others (latex, seminal fluid, dextrans).
Effects of anaphylactic shock
Unfortunately, anaphylaxis affects the entire body. In some cases, the shock can pass without consequences, and in others - the stress experienced during the course of a lifetime.
The most terrible consequence can be a fatal outcome. In order to prevent it, with the first symptoms of anaphylaxis, call an ambulance.
First aid for anaphylactic shock
Interrupt patient contact with allergen, if possible. For example, if it's an insect bite, remove the sting and apply cold. Then open the window, provide fresh air into the room. Lay the victim on his side. If at home there is an antihistamine drug, and you can make a shot - act. If not, then wait for the doctors. In such cases, the brigade arrives very quickly.
Patients who are aware of their propensity for anaphylactic shock should always carry a dose of epinephrine (in the west it is sold as Epi-pen). It must be introduced into any part of the body at the first sign of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine supports the functions of the body before the arrival of doctors and saves thousands of lives each year.