Anaphylaxis Center - Arlington Heights, IL
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AnaphylaxisRead the Anaphylaxis article » Introduction to anaphylaxisAnaphylaxis refers to a rapidly developing and serious allergic reaction that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time. Severe anaphylactic reactions can be fatal. Most people experience allergy symptoms only as a minor annoyance. However, a small number of people are susceptible to a reaction that can lead to shock or even death. Anaphylaxis is often triggered by substances that are injected or ingested and thereby gain access into the blood stream. An explosive reaction involving the skin, lungs, nose, throat, and gastrointestinal tract can then result. Although severe cases of anaphylaxis can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure and be fatal if untreated, many reactions are milder and can be ended with prompt medical therapy. What does anaphylaxis mean?To fully understand this term, we need to go back almost 100 years. The story begins on a cruise aboard Prince Albert I of Monaco's yacht. The Prince had invited two Parisian scientists to perform studies on the toxin produced by the tentacles of a local jellyfish, the Portuguese Man of War. Charles Richet and Paul Portier were able to isolate the toxin and tried to vaccinate dogs in the hope of obtaining protection, or "prophylaxis," against the toxin. They were horrified to find that subsequent very small doses of the toxin unexpectedly resulted in a new dramatic illness that involved the rapid onset of breathing difficulty and resulted in death within 30 minutes. Richet and Portier termed this "anaphylaxis" or "against protection." They rightly concluded that the immune system first becomes sensitized to the allergen over several weeks and upon re-exposure to the same allergen may result in a severe reaction. An allergen is a substance that is foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people. All... Recommended Reading Related to AnaphylaxisFirst AidFirst aid is the assistance given to an injured or sick person in need of urgent medical assistance. First aid applies to a broad range of medical situations and consists both of specific knowledge and skills (for example, what to do for each type of injury or illness) and the ability to assess a situation and make appropriate decisions (such as when to call for emergency medical assistance). Preparedness is a key element of first aid. While every home, auto, and boat should be equipped with a basic emergency kit that includes first aid supplies and a first aid manual, special circumstances may necessitate more advanced or specific degrees of preparation for an emergency. For example, residents of certain geographic areas where natural disasters (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods, landslides, or tsunamis) may occur should prepare for emergencies by assembling disaster preparedness kits such as earthquake kits, ... Other Related Anaphylaxis ArticlesEmergency Contact for Arlington Heights
Nearby Arlington Heights Hospitals * Northwest Community Hospital  Resurrection Health Care Holy Family Medical Center  Alexian Brothers Medical Center  Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital  Glenbrook Hospital  Advocate Lutheran General Hospital  Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital  St Alexius Medical Center  Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital  Streamwood Behavioral Health Center  Resurrection Health Care Resurrection Medical Center  Highland Park Hospital  Condell Medical Center  Adventist GlenOaks Hospital  RUSH North Shore Medical Center  Chicago-Read Mental Health Center  Elmhurst Memorial Hospital  Kindred Hospital Northlake  Lake Forest Hospital  Gottlieb Memorial Hospital  Resurrection Health Care Our Lady of Resurrection Medical Center  Shriners Hospital for Children Chicago  Resurrection Health Care Westlake Hospital  NorthShore University HealthSystems  Sherman Hospital  Resurrection Health Care Saint Francis Hospital  Elgin Mental Health Center  Kindred Hospital Chicago Central  Swedish Covenant Hospital  Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital  RUSH Oak Park Hospital  Loyola University Medical Center  North Chicago VA Medical Center  Resurrection Health Care West Suburban Medical Center  Kindred Hospital Chicago North  Riveredge Hospital  Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital  John J Madden Mental Health Center  CINN Neurologic & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago  Methodist Hospital of Chicago  Kindred Hospital Chicago Lakeshore  Central DuPage Hospital  Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital  Loretto Hospital  Provena Saint Joseph Hospital  Hartgrove Hospital  Chicago Lakeshore Hospital  Weiss Memorial Hospital  Thorek Memorial Hospital  Norwegian-American Hospital  Sacred Heart Hospital  Adventist Hinsdale Hospital  Resurrection Health Care Saint Elizabeth Hospital  RML Specialty Hospital  Resurrection Health Care Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center  Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center  MacNeal Hospital  Advocate Bethany Hospital  Vista Medical Center West  Children's Memorial Hospital  Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital  Resurrection Health Care Saint Joseph Hospital  Lincoln Park Hospital  Jesse Brown VA Medical Center  John H Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook County  Saint Anthony Hospital  Johnston R Bowman Health Center  Rush University Medical Center  University of Illinois Medical Center  Vista Medical Center East  Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital  Centegra Northern Illinois Medical Center  Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center  Northwestern Memorial Hospital  Prentice Women's Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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Shock (Medical)
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Insect Sting Allergies
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Allergic Cascade
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