Anaphylaxis
Original Editor - User Name
Top Contributors - Wajeeha Hassan, Kim Jackson and Lucinda hampton
Introduction[edit | edit source]
It is a life threatening syndrome that results from sudden release of basophil derived mediators and mast cells into blood circulation. It is a serious allergic reaction which is rapid in onset can lead to even death.
However, no universally accepted clinical definition has been found. According to some clinicians it is defined as a syndrome of one or more than one systemic signs and symptoms but does not identify the specific features alone or in combination.
French physiologist Charles Robert Richet in 1913 was awarded with Nobel prize in Medicine and Physiology for his collaborative research with Paul Portier on anaphylaxis. [1]
Causes[edit | edit source]
Common triggers which can induce an anaphylaxis includes
- Certain foods such as shell fish, peanuts, food additives or spices, tree nuts, beef, pork and almonds etc.
- Medication including Aspirin, Other NSAIDs, β -Lactams, Insulin, Protamine, Codeine, Meperidine, Dextromethorphan, Erythromycin, Methylprednisolone and Salmon calcitonin.
- Exercise induced
- Latex
- insect stings
- Idiopathic[2]
Effected Organs[edit | edit source]
Organs which are most commonly effected in anaphylaxis include
- Skin
- Respiratory tract
- Gastrointestinal tract
- Cardiovascular system
- Central nervous system
Classification[edit | edit source]
It has been classified into 3 categories on basis of severity of symptoms.
- Severe Reactions: It includes clinical features such as confusion, incontinence, collapse and unconsciousness and are associated with hypotension and hypoxia.
- Moderate Reactions: Diaphoresis, presyncope, dyspnea, vomiting, stridor, wheeze, chest tightness, nausea and abdominal pain has weak but significant association and is used to define moderate reactions.
- Mild Reactions: It includes reactions which are limited to skin such as urticaria, erythema, and angioedema. [3]
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Epinephrine is
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Kemp SF, Lockey RF. Anaphylaxis: a review of causes and mechanisms. Journal of allergy and clinical immunology. 2002 Sep 1;110(3):341-8 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091674902001197
- ↑ Webb LM, Lieberman P. Anaphylaxis: a review of 601 cases. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2006 Jul 1;97(1):39-43. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1081120610613671
- ↑ Brown SG. Clinical features and severity grading of anaphylaxis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2004 Aug 1;114(2):371-6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091674904013983
