Fw: Allergy, Asthma, COPD or Anaphylaxsis, which is it?

[Guest guest]

This is good information for all of us...love to all....Lea

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Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 12:49 PM

Subject: Allergy, Asthma, COPD or Anaphylaxsis, which is it?

Not every person has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. The symptoms may also vary from one episode to the next, being mild during one episode and severe during another. Some people may have extended symptom-free periods, interrupted by periodic episodes, while others have some symptoms every day. Severe respiratory symptoms are a life-threatening emergency. Have an action plan for getting emergency care quickly in the event of severe symptoms. Inform family members and those who are close to you of this emergency action plan. Allergy symptoms range from those that are occasional and only mildly bothersome to those that are chronic or life threatening. The type and severity of your symptoms dependon the type of allergy you have.Common allergy symptoms include: *Itching. The skin or the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, mouth and throat may become uncomfortable and itchy. *Skin rash or hives. Skin reactions ranging from a fine bumpy rash to large raised hives can be caused by an allergy but may also result from an infection or another cause. *Sinus pressure. A feeling of pressure and discomfort may develop on the top of your head, above your eyebrows, behind your eyes, under your eyes or on your cheeks, upper jaw, ears or neck. *Sore throat and morning cough. Allergy may lead to a cough, sore throat and tickle in the back of your throat when lying down. These symptoms may be caused by mucus dripping from the back of the nose into the throat — called postnasal drip. *Wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Allergies may cause the airways to become inflamed and constricted in people with asthma, causing wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Common symptoms of asthma attack range from those that are occasional and only mildly bothersome to those that are chronic or life threatening they include: *Coughing, especially at night *Wheezing *Shortness of breath *Chest tightness, pain or pressure on going or frequent: *Frequent cough, especially at night *Losing your breath easily or shortness of breath *Feeling very tired or weak when exercising *Wheezing or coughing after exercise *Feeling tired, easily upset, grouchy or moody *Decreases or changes in a peak expiratory flow *Signs of a cold, upper respiratory infections or allergies (sneezing, runny nose, cough, congestion, sore throat and headache) *Trouble sleeping worsening asthma: *A cough that won’t go away (day and night) *Wheezing *Tightness in the chest *Shortness of breath *Poor response to medications (bronchodilators) Late, severe emergency symptoms: *Severe wheezing (both when breathing in and out) *Coughing that won’t stop *Very rapid breathing *Inability to catch your breath *Chest pain or pressure *Tightened neck and chest muscles (retractions) *Difficulty talking *Inability to perform a peak expiratory flow *Feelings of anxiety or panic *Pale, sweaty face *Blue lips or fingernails SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE A change or increase in the symptoms you usually experience may be the only early warning sign. You may notice one or more of the following: *an increase or decrease in the amount of sputum produced *an increase in the thickness or stickiness of sputum *a change in sputum color to yellow or green or the presence of blood in the sputum *an increase in the severity of shortness of breath, cough and/or wheezing *a general feeling of ill health *ankle swelling *forgetfulness, confusion, slurring of speech and sleepiness *difficulty sleeping *using more pillows or sleeping in a chair instead of a bed to avoid shortness of breath *an unexplained increase or decrease in weight *increased feeling of fatigue and lack of energy that continues * a lack of sexual drive *increasing morning headaches, dizzy spells, restlessness COPD attack: *disorientation, confusion, slurring of speech or sleepiness *occurs during an acute respiratory infection. *6-8 hours if shortness of breath or wheezing does not stop or decrease with inhaled bronchodilator treatments one hour apart. *change in color, thickness, odor or amount of sputum persists *ankle swelling lasts even after a night of sleeping with your feet up *you awaken short of breath more than once a night *fatigue lasts more than one day Symptoms of anaphylaxis usually occur within seconds to minutes of exposure to the offending allergen and range from mild to very severe. These symptoms include: *Rapid pulse, sweating, dizziness, fainting, unconsciousness *Wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, coughing *Itchy hives, which may blend together to form larger areas of skin swelling *Swelling of the lips, tongue, or eyes *Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea *Paleness, bluish skin color *Throat swelling, with a feeling of throat tightness, a lump in the throat, hoarseness or obstructed air flow The doctor will ask about the patient's allergy history and about his or her exposure to any of the common allergens that trigger anaphylaxis. It is very important to establish that the patient's symptoms started soon after allergen exposure — after eating nuts, after a bee sting, after taking an antibiotic dose, etc. Since the patient might be too sick to provide this information personally, a family member, friend, co-worker or school nurse will need to help. In patients with a history of severe allergic reactions, a medical-alert ID necklace or bracelet can save valuable time in identifying the problem. The doctor usually can make the diagnosis of anaphylaxis based on the patient's history and the results of a physical examination.