Anaphylaxis Center - Southfield, MI
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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 Southfield
Nearby Southfield Hospitals * St John Providence Hospital Southfield  Straith Hospital For Special Surgery  Oakland Regional Hospital  William Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak  Botsford Hospital  Select Specialty Hospital Northwest Detroit  Sinai-Grace Hospital  Henry Ford Kingswood Hospital  DMC Surgery Hospital  St John Macomb-Oakland Hospital Oakland Center  Southeast Michigan Surgical Hospital  St Mary Mercy Livonia Hospital  St Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital  Select Specialty Hospital Pontiac  Hawthorn Center  Garden City Hospital  POH Regional Medical Center  Doctors' Hospital of Michigan  Henry Ford Hospital  St John Macomb-Oakland Hospital Macomb Center  William Beaumont Hospital Troy  Havenwyck Hospital  Henry Ford Macomb Hospital Warren Campus  John D Dingell VA Medical Center  Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute  Detroit Receiving Hospital  Harper University Hospital  Hutzel Women's Hospital  Children's Hospital of Michigan  Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center  Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan  Walter P Reuther Psychiatric Hospital  St John Providence Park Hospital  Crittenton Hospital Medical Center  Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital  Oakwood Annapolis Hospital  Vibra Hospital of Southeast Michigan  Henry Ford Macomb Hospital  Oakwood Heritage Hospital  St John Hospital & Medical Center  Beaumont Hospital Grosse Pointe Campus  Henry Ford Cottage Hospital  Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital  Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center  Henry Ford Macomb Mount Clemens  Select Specialty Hospital Macomb  St John North Shores Hospital  Forest Health Medical Center  Oakwood Southshore Medical Center  Select Specialty Hospital  St John Brighton Hospital  St Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital  VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System  C S Mott Children's Hospital  Harbor Oaks Hospital  University of Michigan Health System  Genesys Regional Medical Center 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. |
Suggested Reading on Anaphylaxis by Our Doctors
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Itching
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Allergy
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Food Allergy
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Shock (Medical)
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Bug Bites and Stings
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Insect Sting Allergies
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Latex Allergy
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Drug Allergies
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Allergic Cascade
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First Aid
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