Anaphylaxis Center - The Woodlands, TX
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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 The Woodlands
Nearby The Woodlands Hospitals * Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital  Nexus Specialty Hospital Woodlands Campus  St Luke's Community Medical Center The Woodlands  Nexus Specialty Hospital Shenandoah Campus  HEALTHSOUTH North Houston Rehabilitation Hospital  Conroe Regional Medical Center  Select Specialty Hospital Conroe  HEALTHSOUTH Hospital of Houston  Triumph Hospital Northwest  Cypress Creek Hospital  IntraCare North Hospital  TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital  Houston Northwest Medical Center  Tomball Regional Medical Center  Triumph Hospital Tomball  Methodist Willowbrook Hospital  Memorial Hermann Northeast  HEALTHSOUTH Humble Rehabilitation Hospital  Kingwood Medical Center  Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital  Kindred Hospital Northwest  North Cypress Medical Center  Triumph Hospital North Houston  Doctors Hospital Parkway  Renaissance Hospital Houston  Doctors Hospital of Tidwell  Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital  Select Specialty Hospital Houston Heights  Spring Branch Medical Center  Lyndon B Johnson General Hospital  Cleveland Regional Medical Center  Select Specialty Hospital Houston West  Twelve Oaks Medical Center River Oaks Campus  Triumph Hospital Town & Country  Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital  Dubuis Hospital of Houston  Triumph Hospital Houston Central  St Joseph Medical Center  Riverside General Hospital  HEALTHSOUTH Hospital for Specialized Surgery  Healthbridge Children's Hospital of Houston  Park Plaza Hospital and Medical Center  Plaza Specialty Hospital  West Houston Medical Center  CHRISTUS St Catherine Hospital  Memorial Hermann Hospital  Kindred Hospital Houston  Select Specialty Hospital Houston Medical Center  Ben Taub General Hospital  The Methodist Hospital  Cornerstone Hospital of Houston at Bellaire  Texas Children's Hospital  University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center  West Oaks Hospital  Memorial Herman The Institute for Rehabilitation & Research  Shriners Hospitals for Children  St Luke's Episcopal Hospital  Harris Quentin Mease Community Hospital  Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center  University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center  Texas Orthopedic Hospital  Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital  Riveroaks Medical Center Sharpstown Campus  University General Hospital  The Woman's Hospital of Texas  IntraCare Medical Center Hospital  Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital  Triumph Hospital East Houston  East Houston Regional Medical Center  Harris County Hospital District  Texas Specialty Hospital  Kindred Hospital Bay Area 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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