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About Anaphylaxis

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About Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis can be defined as a life threatening and sometimes fatal allergic reaction. It is an allergic reaction that involves several organ systems simultaneously. When you are experiencing this severe reaction, symptoms will manifest in the lungs, skin, throat, nose, or gastrointestinal tract. This type of allergic episode is sometimes called anaphylactic shock, although you may experience this severe allergic event without going into shock, and this would entail a precipitous drop in blood pressure.
Anaphylaxis usually occurs after an individual has been initially exposed to an allergen. After that first exposure, the person becomes highly sensitized to that particular allergen. When they are exposed once again, a dangerous allergic reaction will occur and this usually happens within minutes. There are numerous allergens that may cause a person to experience anaphylaxis. These can include: insect bites, drugs such as vaccinations, foods like peanuts or shellfish, or chemicals like latex. Note that peanuts and tree nuts alone are responsible for about 80 percent of all fatal reactions. In some cases, physical exertion has shown to be a contributing factor in this condition.

Symptoms

There are many different symptoms that one can exhibit during an experiencing anaphylactic episode. Some of these would include: difficulty breathing, dizziness, coughing, hives, stomach pain, cramping, anxiety, confusion, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, wheezing, a blocked airway caused by the swelling of the throat, and even coma. If the episode continues for a long enough period of time, it may cause heart palpitations, an irregular heartbeat, or a heart attack.
It would be wise for any individual with food allergies to be cognizant of the signs and symptoms of this dangerous condition. It is also prudent to remain aware of the allergens that are

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