July 2017 | volume 4 | issue 4
articulate the bi-monthly e-newsletter of the dental technologists association
This issue contains 30 minutes of CPD for DTA members
www.dta-uk.org PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW CONTACT DETAILS F13a Kestrel Court, Waterwells Drive Waterwells Business Park Gloucester GL2 2AT Telephone: 01452 886366 Email: sueadams@dta-uk.org Web: http://www.dta-uk.org
DTA Nominated Charity of the Year 2017
DTA members have selected Crisis as DTA’s nominated Charity of the Year for 2017. If you’d like to find out more about their work go to www.crisis.org.uk
Medical Emergencies: Allergic reaction and Anaphylactic shock
I
n the human body an allergic response may occur to an allergen stimulus with a release of antibodies, which attach themselves to mast cells. This then causes histamine to be released from the mast cells and this may then cause one or more of the following symptoms: ● Eyes begin to itch or become watery; ● Nose to itch, sneeze, and produce more mucus; ● Skin to itch, develop rashes or hives; ● Sinuses to become congested and cause headaches; ● Lungs to wheeze or have spasms; ● Stomach to experience cramps and diarrhoea. Histamine causes dilatation (opening up) of the blood vessels causing flushing, rash, or itching and increased mucus production i.e. a runny nose, and bronchoconstriction. Bronchoconstriction is the constriction of the airways in the lungs due to the tightening of the surrounding smooth muscle, causing coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Because histamine is contained in almost all body tissues, especially the lungs, nose,
sinuses, skin, intestinal mucosa and certain white blood cells (mast cells), it is able to cause a wide variety of symptoms. The release of histamine can be caused by almost any allergen. Examples of such allergens include inhalant allergens (e.g. pollen, dust), drugs (e.g. penicillin), stinging insects, and foods (e.g. egg, wheat, milk, fish, etc). Anaphylaxis (or anaphylactic shock) is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can develop causing difficulty in breathing and low blood pressure. Other signs of anaphylaxis include: ● ● ● ●
itchy skin or a raised, red skin rash; swollen eyes, lips, hands, and feet; feeling lightheaded or faint; swelling of the mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties; ● wheezing; ● abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting; ● collapse and unconsciousness. As part of this training session; You should now watch the following short video clips
which provided additional learning material on this subject: ● Introduction to Allergies: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=8gi9nZpyGfk ● What is Anaphylactic Shock: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=sX97LcDpgzo ● Understanding Food Allergy: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=AKVjKC3u9hk ● Using an Auto Injector in an Emergency: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=tjILFYPE3Uw Having completed this study, you should now take the MSQ’s to enable you to confirm your understanding of this subject:
Dental Technologists Association, F13a Kestrel Court, Waterwells Drive, Waterwells Business Park, Gloucester GL2 2AT. call: 01452 886 366 email: sueadams@dta-uk.org web: www.dta-uk.org