A few thoughts on allergic reactions

The radio was still on when Jeremy Vine’s show started earlier this week. I don’t really listen to it, but this time he was going to talk about allergies and anaphylactic shock. Very interesting.

You may not have heard it. This reaction is life-threatening and needs to be noticed and action is taken to keep yourself alive.

In this severe reaction, specific antibodies are released into the bloodstream, IgG. These cause a cascade of chemicals to be released into the bloodstream. Blood pressure drops, you get a rapid, weak pulse, (your heart is under pressure) and most alarming perhaps is your airways contract and breathing becomes very difficult. Sweating and nausea can occur. You now need an immediate injection of epinephrine, which edges the body back from this cytotoxic precipice. You get this using an EpiPen.

If you are aware that certain foods or drinks cause a different kind of tingling sensation in the mouth, tongue, lips or throat, or feel your breathing getting tight, make an appointment to see a Doctor to arrange for a hospital allergy test. This will clarify things for you and get the right kind of assistance in place. You may be prescribed an EpiPen which brings immediate relief.

The first few times may not be that serious and you may tend to disregard the symptoms. The problem with that attitude is that you may unwittingly eat the problem food or drink and initiate a major reaction which could be fatal. That’s when you really need the EpiPen!

For more information contact Wendy onwendyguilfoyle@hotmail.com

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