Medical Advices Blog

Archive for the ‘Allergies’ Category

The symptoms of allergy, such as the typical sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes or asthma attacks are caused by the body’s reaction to a substance (allergen) that is inhaled, touched or swallowed. It is possible that contact with a substance causes a rash and you may also experience stomach pain, hives or difficulty breathing on some food.

These allergens do not cause symptoms in people who are not allergic. But in a person with allergies, it produces an immune response against the allergen that causes symptoms. In case of allergy, the body responds to allergens as if they were a dangerous invader such as bacteria or a virus. Read the rest of this entry »

Treatment

Some early cases of anaphylaxis can be treated with antihistamines and corticosteroids. The most severe cases involving emergencies that endanger life and require immediate medical attention. Epinephrine should be administered at the first sign of a serious reaction to slow the progression of symptoms.

Physicians should treat anaphylaxis with epinephrine and intravenous fluids. It is also likely that the person needs treatment with oxygen, mechanical ventilation (a breathing machine that helps the patient temporarily) and antihistamines or corticosteroids intravenously. Read the rest of this entry »

Duration

If done early and appropriate treatment, cases of anaphylaxis can improve quickly in a few hours. If a person has already developed more serious symptoms and the most hazardous conditions, it is likely that a few days after treatment a complete recovery. If untreated, anaphylaxis can cause death within minutes or hours.

Prevention

This disease can be prevented by avoiding the allergens that cause symptoms. For example, people who are allergic to foods should always check the ingredients list on labels and ask the waiter about these before eating in a restaurant. If you are allergic to bee stings, you should limit gardening and mowing, and should not use perfumes, hair spray or shiny clothes to attract insects. Read the rest of this entry »