Anaphylactic shock: A nightmare for both patients and doctors.

(Baonghean.vn) - Following the incident in Hoa Binh where 7 dialysis patients died allegedly due to anaphylactic shock, many people are wondering what anaphylactic shock is and how dangerous it is to a patient's life.

1. What is anaphylactic shock?

Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal shock caused by respiratory and circulatory failure. In susceptible individuals, anaphylaxis can occur within minutes or hours of exposure to a substance (allergen) to which they are allergic. Some people may experience anaphylaxis of unknown origin.

Anaphylaxis is an extremely serious, life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of contact with something you are allergic to, such as bee venom or peanuts.

Anaphylactic shock can cause a patient to go into shock, with a sudden drop in blood pressure and airway obstruction, blocking normal breathing. Signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock include a rapid, weak pulse, skin rash, nausea, and vomiting.

2. Causes of anaphylactic shock

Without prompt emergency treatment, the risk of death from anaphylactic shock is very high.

There are many causes of anaphylactic shock, and it's not simply due to vaccination as many people mistakenly believe.

Medications: Drugs are the leading cause of anaphylactic shock in patients. Various routes of administration, such as intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intradermal injections; oral, inhaled, eye drops, vaginal suppositories, or topical medications, can all cause anaphylactic shock. However, intravenous injection is the most dangerous. Almost all types of medications can cause anaphylactic shock, with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, contrast agents, anesthetics, and sedatives being the most common.

Food: Certain foods, both animal and plant-based, can trigger anaphylactic shock.such as: mackerel, tuna, shrimp, prawns, snails, silkworm pupae, eggs, milk, pineapple, potatoes, peanuts, soybeans, various nuts and additives...

Insect venom: When bitten by insects such as bees, snakes, centipedes, scorpions, spiders, etc., the toxins released by the insect venom can cause anaphylactic shock in the victim... and several other causes as well.

3. Symptoms of anaphylactic shock

Anaphylactic shock is most likely to occur in people who are sensitive to allergens, such as bee stings, consuming food containing allergens, or using medications to which they have previously had an allergic reaction.

The appearance of the following signs and symptoms within minutes of exposure to the allergen is a clear indication of anaphylaxis, specifically: Respiratory constriction, including wheezing, swelling of the tongue and throat, difficulty breathing; Shock accompanied by hypotension; Rapid and weak pulse, dizziness or fainting; Hives and itching, hot flashes or bluish skin; Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, abdominal cramps, incontinence; Headache, dizziness, sometimes coma, fainting, agitation, struggling, convulsions.

Anaphylactic shock can occur very early or sometimes later, within a few hours of exposure to an allergen.

The severity of anaphylactic shock depends on the individual's sensitivity, the amount and rate of absorption of foreign substances into the body, and the time taken for treatment. Early signs to watch out for include: itching of the hands and feet, numbness of the lips and tongue, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, and feelings of restlessness and panic.

4. What to do to prevent anaphylactic shock?

Anaphylactic shock can occur very early or later, within a few hours of exposure to an allergen. However, once it occurs, it progresses very rapidly within a few hours and becomes critical. Therefore, preventing anaphylactic shock is always a critical requirement for people with allergies.

First, if you have a history of allergies, inform your doctor about any previous allergens, especially when being prescribed new medication. Furthermore, always carry emergency medications with you.

After vaccination, parents need to pay attention to their children's reactions to detect any allergic responses so that they can be addressed promptly. Photo: hanoimoi.

During the injection, if you experience any unusual sensations such as restlessness, panic, fear, numbness of the tongue, etc., immediately inform the doctor so that the injection can be stopped and appropriate action can be taken to treat anaphylactic shock. After the injection, you should stay in the injection room for about 15-30 minutes and not leave immediately to prevent anaphylactic shock from occurring later, depending on the individual's constitution.

Use medication rationally, safely, and as prescribed; when eating new foods, try a small amount first to check your body's reaction. Wait 24 hours before eating it again if you don't experience any unusual symptoms. People with allergies are very susceptible to shock from consuming foods containing unfamiliar substances.

If you observe signs of anaphylaxis in a patient experiencing an allergic reaction, call emergency services immediately. Check the names of any specific medications the patient may have with them to treat the allergic reaction. Administer the medication as directed.

Position the patient with their legs higher than their head, loosen their clothing, and cover them with a blanket. If there is vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the patient onto their side to prevent choking. If there are no signs of circulation (breathing, coughing, or movement), begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)