Allergy - Anaphylactic Shock - My Allergic Reaction To A Yellow Jacket Bee Sting

Most yellow jacket bee stings are a bit painful, but they can be treated at home without any lasting problem. Home treatment usually consists of an ice pack or baking soda to the site of the sting. However, some people have a very severe allergy reaction to these kinds of stings which require immediate emergency treatment. In fact, insect stings can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. What Is Anaphylactic Shock Anaphylactic shock, also known as anaphylactic reaction, is an immediate, severe allergic reaction that occurs within minutes of exposure to a substance that produces the allergy, such as a bee sting, and involves the entire body. The body's immune system responds to allergens in the system by sending protection in the form of histamines. Normally the cells of the body send just the right amount of histamine necessary to combat the allergen. However, in some cases, as in anaphylactic shock reactions, the released histamine causes the effects commonly associated with severe allergic responses, such as dilated blood capillaries, red skin, swelling, itching and rapidly appearing hives, known as urticaria. More than 10,000 people in North America are afflicted each year by anaphylaxis. Of these, more than 750 episodes end in death. Because symptoms of anaphylaxis resemble those seen in other diseases, the true numbers are not known. Symptoms of Anaphylactic Shock The symptoms are many, and they are progressive. They can include skin redness, cough, nasal congestion, itching, hives, swelling, anxiety, sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations), rapid or weak pulse, fainting, light-headedness, dizziness, confusion, extreme anxiety, blueness of the skin, and difficulty breathing. If not treated, death results. Emergency Treatment of Severe Allergic Reactions Prompt emergency treatment should be immediate to reduce the likelihood of death. Treatment includes the injection of adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, to constrict the blood vessels and counteract the effects of the histamine. Further measures might includes the administration of oxygen or even the performance of a tracheotomy may be needed A Personal Experience - My Near Fatal Encounter With A Yellow Jacket Living in exurbia, I have had many red ant bites and have been stung once or twice by a regular wasp. These bites have always caused a mild to moderate reaction, such as swelling and blistering. But nothing prepared me for the experience of being stung by a yellow jacket. On a beautiful morning, I was walking through the woods in the back of my house when I disturbed a yellow jacket nest which was under a small branch. Although I slowly backed away, I was suddenly stung on my right elbow. The site of the sting immediately caused a blister about the size of a quarter. I quickly made it back to the house, and put an ice pack on the site. I began to feel very warm all over, my ears and earlobes became swollen and rubbery, my heart began to race, and I felt very, very anxious. When I looked into the mirror, my face was as red as a beet. Luckily my husband was home and rushed me to the emergency room. When I looked at my right hand, I could not even recognize it as a hand. It was so swollen and full of hives. It was just one big, terrible looking lump. By the time we got to the hospital, my nose and lips were numb, my heart was beating even faster, anxiety was overcoming me and my blood pressure was falling. I felt vague and confused, unable to even tell the nurse my birth date. All of this had happened within 20 to 30 minutes of being stung. I was rushed into a treatment room and given epinephrine and benadryl, which are anti-histamines, as well as a form of prednisone (a steroid) intravenously. I was monitored closely and kept there for about two and a half to three hours. I was discharged with prescriptions for benadryl and prednisone to take daily for a week. I was also given a prescription for Epipen. Epipen is a pressure activated syringe device that delivers the correct dose of epinephrine to combat anaphylaxis in the event I ever have an episode such as this again. This should be kept within reach at all times, and replaced yearly. When I got home, I slept for several hours, but otherwise everything was alright. Needless to say, I felt very grateful. Some Precautions To Avoid Attracting Flying Insects If You Have Allergy 1. Avoid fragrances, scented, soaps, lotions and oils 2. Avoid wearing bright colors 3. Wear shoes 4. Wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, and a hat Shirley Peel is a successful webmaster and publisher of many articles about allergies, and allergy treatment. Her years as a health care professional have increased her interest in the health care areas. She offers more information about allergy care, symptoms and treatment at: http://www.treatmentsfor.com/allergy.html and http://www.treatmentsfor.com/articles-allergy.html Be sure to sign up for one of our free ecourses. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shirley_Peel Allergy - Gluten Intolerance Symptoms - How Do You Know If Gluten Is Making You Sick? What are gluten intolerance symptoms? Are people with gluten intolerance just fussy eaters with a new excuse for their picky food habits? Research shows that gluten sensitivity in some form, including celiac disease and mild gluten intolerance, affects approximately 15% of the US population. These statistics are likely to be similar in Western countries with similar health issues and dietary patterns. Are you one of these people? How do you recognize gluten intolerance symptoms? First of all let's identify the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an immune reaction, a severe sudden onset allergic reaction, to the protein called gluten. This is commonly found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley and oats. While celiac disease is initially an auto-immune disorder, it is also a disease of malabsorbtion, because essential nutrients are not absorbed. Therefore one of the most devastating symptoms of long-term undiagnosed celiac disease is malnutrition. Gluten intolerance often has a slower onset than celiac disease, and may be hard to diagnose due to the broad range of symptoms and causes. If you imagine a continuum of gluten intolerance symptoms, celiac disease is usually at the most extreme end with immediate autoimmune reactions. Some people with celiac disease may not have symptoms, but internally malabsorbtion and malnutrition can erode health over many years. Both celiac disease and gluten intolerance can be exacerbated by emotional stress, infection, surgery, pregnancy and childbirth. Every individual with some level of gluten intolerance or allergy may experience different shades of symptoms, hence the challenge for medical practitioners to diagnose. So what are the specific symptoms of gluten intolerance and celiac disease? Weight loss or weight gain Nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorbtion e.g. low iron levels Gastro-intestinal problems (bloating, pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea) Fat in the stools (due to poor digestion) Aching joints Depression Eczema Head aches Exhaustion Irritability and behavioural changes Infertility, irregular menstrual cycle and miscarriage Cramps, tingling and numbness Slow infant and child growth Decline in dental health Undiagnosed for long periods of time, food intolerances have been found to contribute to diabetes, bowel cancer, anemia and osteoporosis. Why are gluten intolerance symptoms so varied? It is still a bit of a mystery; gluten intolerance and allergies affect adults and children in a variety of ways, but we do know that the less stress the better. Anecdotal evidence suggests emotional trauma and stress play a large role in worsening of symptoms. Some studies have shown that there is a lower chance of developing celiac disease, the longer a baby is breastfed; the later they started eating gluten containing foods and the less gluten containing foods they ate. However completely avoiding gluten through pregnancy and in a child's younger years may also increase allergic reaction, as the developing digestive system does not recognize the substance at all. Perhaps a moderate approach is best when preventing celiac disease, especially if there is a genetic predisposition. Mother might reduce but not eliminate gluten foods when pregnant, breastfeed for a longer than average period, and introduce low gluten grains as first foods for baby. How to diagnose celiac disease and gluten intolerance? Until recently it was challenging to diagnose celiac disease because the symptoms are varied and similar to other diseases. For example, crones disease, chronic fatigue, iron deficiency, irritable bowel syndrome and intestinal infections can all have similar symptoms. In fact there may be a cross over between gluten intolerance and some of these illnesses; an individual may have a combination of issues worsened by unsuitable food choices. Now doctors test for raised levels of certain auto-antibodies in their blood. These antibodies are produced when the body senses a dangerous intruder allergen, like gluten. If the results indicate an allergy to gluten the doctor may perform a small intestine biopsy. This will reveal the damage to the villi in the small intestine. It is important to eat an ordinary diet including gluten, before being tested.