Allergy and asthma Flashcards
If people take Benadryl how is that going to help?
It will block the histamine receptors, released by mast cells.
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that can help relieve allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching, and runny nose by blocking histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions. It can also cause drowsiness, which may be helpful for some people with allergies or sleep issues.
What is the most dangerous and life-threatening allergy?
The most dangerous allergy is anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It occurs when the immune system overreacts to an allergen, releasing chemicals that can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and other serious symptoms. Immediate medical attention, often with an epinephrine injection, is essential to treat anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis occurs when immune cells, called mast cells, release large amounts of chemicals like histamine in response to an allergen. These chemicals trigger widespread inflammation, leading to severe symptoms and potentially life-threatening reactions.
What is the difference between food allergies and food tolerance?
- Difference between food allergy and food intolerance:
Food allergy: immunologic response to food protein:
- Happens immediately after eating <2h
- Skin rash, shortness of breath, chest pain, trouble swallowing, eczema
- Rarely more than 1 or 2 foods
- Small amounts of food can trigger
- Happens every time you eat
- Nuts, eggs, meat, fish
- Can be life-threatening
Food intolerance: caused my digestive problems, such as:
- Absence of an enzyme
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Sensitive to food additives
- Stress or psychological factors
- Celiac disease
- It is also possible to prevent a reaction, such as lactose intolerance
- Come on slowly, up to 72h
- Bloating, gas, joint pain, tiredness, heartburn, headaches, mood swings
- Can be multiple foods
- May eat a lot of food
- May happen when eating the food often
- Wheat, gluten, milk, fruit, veg
- It is not life-threatening
What cells are responsible for hypersensitivity reactions? What hormone does it release?/
What is a leaky gut?
Hypersensitivity reactions refers to undesirable immune reactions produced by the normal immune system, it requires a pre-sensitized state of the host. The pre-sensitization can happen if we have a leaking gut, meaning that in the small intestine, we have only one tight junction that closes for unwanted materials to come into the system. But when there is an infection, flu, or cold, the tight junction will open up, and a leak into the organism will happen. This will activate the immune system and will cause inflammation and allergic reactions in the future.
There are 4 types of hypersensitivity:
I) Immediate – allergic, anaphylaxis, and atopy. The mast cells act on the immune system, by releasing histamines that will cause allergic reactions.
II) Antibody – autoimmune, hemolytic anemia
III) Immune complex – serum sickness, lupus
IV) Delayed – transplant rejection
If someone has an asthma attack, what to do with and without an inhaler?
For asthma, we use an inhaler that contains corticosteroids, which have immediate action on relaxation of the breathing and inflammation. Corticosteroids block the immune system.
14. For asthma patients first aid with an inhaler:
- Sit upright
- Inhaler, 4 breath after each puff
- Wait for 4 minutes
- Inhaler again and call 11, if cannot breathe normally
15. For asthma patients first aid without an inhaler:
- Sit upright
- Take long, deep breaths
- Stay calm
- Get away from the trigger
- Take a hot caffeinated beverage
- Seek emergency help
How to administer an EpiPen?
First aid anaphylaxis:
- Take the EpiPen and pull off the blue safety release
- Hold leg still and place orange end against outer mid-thigh
- Push down hard until a click is heard or felt and hold in place for 3 seconds
- Remove the pen
