Anaphylactic shock is an instant allergic reaction, which is based on the formation of antibodies of reagins, which, when in contact with the allergen, form biologically active substances (leukotrienes, histamines, common eyes). This process forms the general picture of anaphylactic shock, which is caused by a decrease in vascular tone, spasm of smooth muscles of the intestines, bronchi and other organs, increased permeability of some vessels.
How does anaphylactic shock develop?
Emergency care for shock should be aimed at immediate elimination of the allergen, since this disease is one of the most serious allergic reactions, often leading to death. It can be triggered by medicines, food, household chemicals and other components with which the patient is in daily contact. However, most often this condition develops as a result of intravenous or intramuscular administration of drugs. It may take only a few minutes from the introduction of the antigen before the first clinical signs appear and anaphylactic shock develops. Emergency care should be provided immediately, otherwise irreversible changes may occur in the patient’s brain that will lead to death.
Anaphylactic shock. The clinical picture.
The clinical picture of this condition may have several options. In some cases, a violation of the cardiovascular activity (hyperemia of the skin, profuse sweating, drop in blood pressure, pallor and loss of consciousness) or CNS disorders (anxiety, fear, headaches, aphasia, hemiplegia, epileptiform seizures) predominate. Sometimes an anaphylactic shock attack is accompanied by respiratory disorders (swelling of the larynx or lungs, bronchospasm) or the gastric tract (nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, diarrhea). It is customary to distinguish between three degrees of severity of this condition: mild, moderate and severe.
How does anaphylactic shock manifest itself?
Emergency care for an attack of anaphylactic shock will directly depend on its manifestation. A typical clinical picture for all patients with anaphylactic shock: general anxiety, fear of death, discomfort, inexplicable feeling of heat. Patients complain of headache, flushing, dizziness, sudden weakness, itching in arms and legs. Often patients experience chest compression, heaviness behind the sternum, difficulty breathing, sometimes the patient, not having time to make complaints, loses consciousness. Hyperemia of the face and skin can sometimes alternate with cyanosis and pallor, seizures of the extremities, dilated pupils, swelling of the lips and eyelids and oral mucosa, and a drop in blood pressure in an unconscious state most often indicates that the patient develops anaphylactic shock.
Emergency care for anaphylactic shock
The fight against the first manifestations of shock should begin immediately, and it should be primarily aimed at stopping the intake of the allergen, and if the drug is already administered, then reducing its absorption. To do this, sometimes a tourniquet is applied above the injection site and 0.1% adrenaline is injected into it, all these measures help to reduce the flow of allergen into the blood. The patient is given a horizontal position with his head bowed, lying on his back. Removable dentures are removed and the front of the jaw extends forward to prevent asphyxiation. It should not be forgotten that first aid for anaphylactic shock involves the mandatory call of the ambulance team before starting treatment. The introduction of antihistamines, hormones, bronchodilators and adrenergic agonists is carried out exclusively by an emergency doctor.
Anaphylactic shock. First aid before the arrival of the medical team.
What can be done before the doctors arrive?
- Stop exposure to the allergen on the patient.
- If nausea is observed, you should turn the patient’s head to the side and make sure that he does not inhale the vomit.
- To give the patient a horizontal position, raise the legs above the head.
- Unfasten tight clothing.
- If the victim does not have breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be started .
What cannot be done before the ambulance arrives?
- Delay with the call of doctors.
- Give the patient water.
- Leave the victim alone.
Anaphylactic shock is an emergency and is easier to prevent than to treat. A carefully collected history and timely identification of allergens will help to avoid an emergency, and in some cases save a person’s life.