Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a life threatening event that typically start with throat constriction, wheezing, and hives (welts). Distress appears within minutes, sometimes seconds. Causes include ingestion of peanuts, shell fish, aspirin products, bee stings, penicillin derivatives, and allergy injections. A hive reaction alone while uncomfortable is short lived. But when hives are but a component of the serious anaphylactic reaction the consequences can be devastating.  Adrenaline is the drug of choice. Multiple doses may be necessary.

Following an initial successful treatment, there may be a recurrence or recurrence upon recurrence. It behooves the doctor to be aware of this. Many a time the patient is sent home ‘cured’, only to relapse. The car makes an abrupt turn around back to the treatment facility.

An emergency epinephrine kit is a must to accompany each patient suffering an acute attack. It’s better if several are available. One in the house, another in the car, another at work. It is vital that the patient receives instruction on its use. Most important is a practice injection by the patient on himself. All too often at the moment of truth, patients panic and fail to self inject the adrenaline thereby sacrificing vital time in their trip to the local emergency room.

Patients are to be forewarned the side effects of adrenaline. There almost certainly will be jitteriness, heart palpitations, anxiety, and clumsiness lasting 15 to 30 minutes. Once prepared, the discomfort will be coped with better.

Bill Ziering

Rx365  A Year of Tips for the Successful Medical Practice