The Body's Drama: Emotions, Allergies, and the Wild Ride of Responses
#Allergies #Emotions #ImmuneSystem #CognitiveTherapy #Histamine #Biopsychosocial #HealthJourney #EmotionalBalance #AllergyAwareness #Asthma #FoodAllergies #Wellness #MentalHealth #ChronicIllness #SelfCare #HealthEducation
Influencer Dominique Brown Dies of Food Allergy at 34
Anaphylaxis needs to be taken much more seriously than it is.
Epi is great - but it’s only buying you time. Biphasic reactions can be lethal.
Also - especially if you have MCAS - make sure to learn the various ways anaphylaxis can present.
It doesn’t always involve the airway.
This was (in my opinion) a preventable death. It was an egregious disregard for Dominique’s life to suggest she take photos before going to get medical care.
Even “if” you think your reaction isn’t progressing quickly - it could change in an instant.
You should never delay medical attention
If you’re new to anaphylaxis and/or new to MCAS - I highly recommend learning the various ways it can impact your body.
I didn’t realize I was having anaphylaxis the first time it happened to me. I thought it was the flu.
I had diarrhea & vomiting, sore throat, fever and bone pain.
I finally went to ER after three days of suffering not because I suspected anaphylaxis - but because my throat was so sore I couldn’t keep fluids down.
The triage nurse took one look in my airway, stabbed me with an epi pen and whisked me into a code room.
My “sore throat” was actually swelling
My vomiting and diarrhea was classic GI anaphylaxis - and I was also having significant cardiac symptoms.
Thankfully I got medical care in time - and the team who treated me explained what to look for in the future.
Many of us think of wheezing, hives, hoarseness and throat closure when we picture an anaphylactic reaction.
In reality - it can spare the airway AND the skin. It can impact your gut, your heart and your reproductive organs.
In fact - my doctors can actually tell when I’m going into anaphylaxis by the changes in my EKG (highly recommend reading about Kounis Syndrome if your MCAS causes cardiac issues)
When it comes to anaphylaxis - treat early & get to hospital. Make sure you always have an epi pen (or two) with you and check regularly to make sure they haven’t expired.
If you’re unsure if you’re in anaphylaxis - go to ER to be certain.
Had I waited much longer my throat would have closed
Lastly - take people’s allergies seriously. In MCAS we don’t always know what the trigger will be - but when people do know what they’re allergic to - we need to be cautious and ensure they aren’t exposed
If we took allergies more seriously - Dominique would still be with us
For more on idiopathic anaphylaxis and the unique ways it can impact people with MCAS - check out my introduction to MCAS article: https://www.disabledginger.com/p/when-youre-allergic-to-everything
For more on Dominique’s death: https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/influencer-dominique-brown-dies-of-food-allergy-at-age-34/
I wonder if it's the increased use of #glyphosate, or perhaps other pollutants (#microplastics? #pfas). Other theories include #VitaminD deficiency (not enough outdoor time?), and lack of exposure to common microbes (again, not enough outdoor time).
Why the World Is Becoming More Allergic to Food
The frequency of food allergy has increased over the past 30 years, particularly in industrialised societies.
Dr. Alexandra Santos
September 2019
"The increase in allergies is not simply the effect of society becoming more aware of them and better at diagnosing them.
"It is thought that allergies and increased sensitivity to foods are probably environmental, and related to Western lifestyles.
"We know there are lower rates of allergies in developing countries. They are also more likely to occur in urban rather than rural areas.
"Factors may include #pollution, dietary changes and less exposure to #microbes, which change how our #ImmuneSystems respond."
Links to Pret A Manger issues incl ongoing mislabelling, mouldy food, systemic workplace bullying, £800,000 fine after staff in freezer, wage theft, hiked prices for lower quality, bad press, £700 million debt etc. etc.
@woodyluvscoffee @Alice Thank you! Gluten tries to actively kill me, it's really not something I avoid just for funsies. #Celiac #FoodAllergies
#Introduction is still daunting. I love and have worked in #Libraries, enjoy #Art, #Cycling, #Baking. I overshare and talk a lot. I know a fair amount about #FoodAllergies. Mother of very creative grown children, one in usability, one in small L.A. studio. Looking forward to visiting family in Dublin and Cork. #Irish until I was 10. Very distracted and see faces in things, dragons in clouds.
