This term may be familiar to many, as it may appear in their personal medical records or those of their close friends. Others may be familiar with this enigmatic condition, which was heroically treated with a magical injection.
The definition of
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency characterised by the rapid onset of symptoms affecting the epidermis, cardiovascular system, and other organs following exposure to a specific agent.
There is still no unified definition of anaphylaxis that takes into account the rate of symptom onset, the categories of symptoms, and the severity of the condition. Anaphylaxis is loosely defined as the occurrence of two or more of the following symptoms, simultaneously or sequentially, within minutes to hours after exposure to a likely allergen:
compromised respiration
Reduce cardiac function
cutaneous or mucosal reaction
Abnormal intestinal symptoms.
By The Numbers
There is no precise prevalence estimate for anaphylaxis due to the ambiguity of its definition. The incidence of anaphylaxis has increased over the past decade, which is a proven fact. There has not been a corresponding increase in anaphylaxis-related mortality. An international study reveals that the most prevalent allergens are shared by diverse communities; however, some populations may be more sensitive to one allergen than another. A number of modifiable risk factors have also been investigated, revealing that geographical and environmental factors may influence the incidence of anaphylaxis. The prevalence of anaphylaxis is approximately 1-3%.
