Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Upper Airway Obstruction
Number of Conditions: 1
Anaphylaxis-Related Airway Swelling
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Respiratory Emergencies
Sub-category: Upper Airway Obstruction
Symptoms:
sudden onset of throat tightness; difficulty breathing; stridor; facial swelling; rash; hypotension; tachycardia
Root Cause:
Severe allergic reaction triggers histamine release, causing airway swelling, bronchoconstriction, and systemic vasodilation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical presentation and history of allergen exposure; confirmed by elevated serum tryptase levels post-reaction.
Treatment:
Immediate administration of intramuscular epinephrine, followed by airway management, IV fluids, and additional medications for symptom control.
Medications:
Epinephrine (adrenergic agonist) as the first-line treatment. Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (H1 blocker) and ranitidine (H2 blocker). Corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone to reduce late-phase reactions. Beta-agonists like albuterol for bronchospasm.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1.6%–5% lifetime risk in the general population; more common with increased allergen exposure.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Known allergies, previous anaphylaxis, atopic conditions (e.g., asthma, eczema), or medications like penicillin.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with prompt epinephrine administration; potentially fatal if untreated.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Airway obstruction, anoxic brain injury, cardiovascular collapse, or death.