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Does prednisone make you dizzy. Prednisone Side Effects: Dizziness, Sleepiness, and Other Important Considerations

Does prednisone cause dizziness. How does prednisone affect sleep patterns. What are the most common central nervous system side effects of prednisone. How long can prednisone be taken safely. What precautions should be taken when using prednisone.

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Understanding Prednisone: Uses and Mechanism of Action

Prednisone is a potent corticosteroid medication widely prescribed to treat various inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders. It belongs to a class of drugs known as glucocorticoids, which work by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation throughout the body.

Some common conditions treated with prednisone include:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Psoriasis
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Asthma
  • Severe skin rashes
  • Blood disorders
  • Breathing problems
  • Severe allergies
  • Certain types of cancer
  • Eye problems
  • Various immune system disorders

By reducing the immune system’s response to various diseases, prednisone helps alleviate symptoms such as swelling, pain, and allergic reactions. However, this powerful medication also comes with a range of potential side effects that patients should be aware of.

Dizziness and Prednisone: A Common Side Effect

One of the frequently reported side effects of prednisone is dizziness. While the medication does not typically cause drowsiness, it can induce a feeling of lightheadedness or unsteadiness in some patients.

Why does prednisone cause dizziness? The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it may be related to the drug’s effects on electrolyte balance, blood pressure, and the central nervous system. Dizziness can also be a result of other side effects, such as changes in blood sugar levels or fluid retention.

If you experience persistent or severe dizziness while taking prednisone, it’s crucial to inform your healthcare provider. They may need to adjust your dosage or consider alternative treatments.

Prednisone and Sleep: Impact on Sleep Patterns

While prednisone doesn’t typically cause sleepiness, it can significantly affect sleep patterns in various ways:

Insomnia

Many patients report difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep while taking prednisone. This side effect is particularly common when the medication is taken later in the day.

Mood Changes

Prednisone can cause mood swings, anxiety, or a feeling of being “wired,” which may interfere with normal sleep patterns.

Night Sweats

Some patients experience excessive sweating at night, which can disrupt sleep.

Vivid Dreams

Prednisone may increase the likelihood of experiencing vivid or disturbing dreams, affecting sleep quality.

To minimize sleep-related side effects, doctors often recommend taking prednisone in the morning. This timing aligns with the body’s natural cortisol rhythm and may help reduce sleep disturbances.

Central Nervous System Side Effects of Prednisone

Prednisone can affect the central nervous system in various ways, leading to a range of potential side effects. The most common CNS side effects include:

  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Depression
  • Headache
  • Euphoria (feeling unusually happy or energized)
  • Restlessness or jitteriness
  • Seizures (rare)
  • Insomnia
  • Mood or personality changes
  • Vertigo (a spinning sensation)

It’s important to note that the severity and occurrence of these side effects can vary greatly from person to person. Some individuals may experience multiple symptoms, while others may have no noticeable CNS effects at all.

Long-Term Use of Prednisone: Safety Considerations

How long can prednisone be taken safely? The duration of prednisone treatment depends on the specific condition being treated and the individual patient’s response. While short-term use is generally considered safe, long-term use of prednisone can lead to significant side effects and health risks.

Potential risks of long-term prednisone use include:

  • Osteoporosis (bone thinning)
  • Increased risk of infections
  • Weight gain
  • Diabetes or worsening of existing diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Cataracts or glaucoma
  • Muscle weakness
  • Thinning of the skin
  • Adrenal suppression

Due to these risks, healthcare providers typically aim to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration. In cases where long-term use is necessary, careful monitoring and preventive measures are essential to minimize potential complications.

Proper Use and Precautions for Prednisone

To maximize the benefits of prednisone while minimizing risks, it’s crucial to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully. Here are some important precautions and guidelines:

Dosage and Timing

Take prednisone exactly as prescribed. If you’re instructed to take it once daily, it’s usually best to take it in the morning before 9 AM to mimic the body’s natural cortisol rhythm.

Gradual Tapering

Never stop taking prednisone abruptly unless directed by your doctor. Sudden discontinuation can lead to withdrawal symptoms and adrenal insufficiency. Your healthcare provider will typically create a tapering schedule to gradually reduce your dose.

Food and Medication Interactions

Take prednisone with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. Be sure to inform your doctor about all other medications, supplements, and herbal products you’re taking, as prednisone can interact with many substances.

Regular Monitoring

Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments and undergo recommended tests to monitor for potential side effects and complications.

Lifestyle Considerations

While on prednisone, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes following a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity as approved by your doctor, and taking steps to protect your bone health.

Managing Side Effects of Prednisone

While prednisone can be highly effective in treating various conditions, managing its side effects is crucial for patient well-being. Here are some strategies to cope with common side effects:

Dizziness

If you experience dizziness, avoid sudden changes in position and stay well-hydrated. If dizziness persists or worsens, consult your healthcare provider.

Sleep Disturbances

To improve sleep while on prednisone:

  • Take the medication in the morning
  • Establish a consistent sleep schedule
  • Create a relaxing bedtime routine
  • Avoid caffeine and electronic devices before bed
  • Consider using blackout curtains or a white noise machine

Mood Changes

If you experience significant mood swings or depression, inform your healthcare provider. They may adjust your dosage or recommend additional support, such as counseling.

Increased Appetite and Weight Gain

To manage weight gain:

  • Focus on nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods
  • Practice portion control
  • Engage in regular physical activity as approved by your doctor
  • Stay hydrated with water instead of calorie-rich beverages

Bone Health

To protect your bones while on prednisone:

  • Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake
  • Engage in weight-bearing exercises
  • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption
  • Discuss bone density monitoring with your healthcare provider

Alternatives to Prednisone: Exploring Other Treatment Options

While prednisone is a powerful and effective medication for many conditions, its potential side effects may lead some patients and healthcare providers to consider alternatives. The appropriateness of alternative treatments depends on the specific condition being treated and individual patient factors.

Some potential alternatives to prednisone include:

Other Corticosteroids

Different corticosteroids may have varying side effect profiles. For example, some patients may tolerate methylprednisolone or dexamethasone better than prednisone.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

For some inflammatory conditions, NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen may be effective alternatives with fewer systemic side effects.

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

For conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, DMARDs such as methotrexate or hydroxychloroquine may be used as alternatives or in combination with lower doses of prednisone.

Biologic Therapies

For certain autoimmune conditions, biologic drugs that target specific components of the immune system may be effective alternatives to prednisone.

Immunomodulators

Drugs like azathioprine or mycophenolate may be used to suppress the immune system in certain conditions, potentially reducing the need for prednisone.

Lifestyle and Natural Remedies

For some patients with mild symptoms, lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and natural anti-inflammatory approaches may help manage their condition without the need for prednisone.

It’s crucial to discuss potential alternatives with your healthcare provider, as the best treatment approach will vary depending on your specific condition, medical history, and individual risk factors.

Prednisone in Special Populations: Considerations for Specific Groups

The use of prednisone requires special consideration in certain populations due to potential risks and altered effects. Here’s an overview of important factors for specific groups:

Pregnant Women

Prednisone can cross the placenta and may affect fetal development. While it’s sometimes necessary during pregnancy, it should be used at the lowest effective dose under close medical supervision. Potential risks include low birth weight and an increased risk of cleft palate in the first trimester.

Breastfeeding Mothers

Prednisone can pass into breast milk. While low doses are generally considered compatible with breastfeeding, higher doses may require temporary cessation of breastfeeding. Consultation with a healthcare provider is crucial.

Children

Long-term use of prednisone in children can affect growth and development. Careful monitoring and use of the lowest effective dose are essential. Alternative-day dosing may be considered to minimize growth suppression.

Elderly Patients

Older adults may be more susceptible to certain side effects of prednisone, including osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertension. Close monitoring and preventive measures are particularly important in this population.

Patients with Diabetes

Prednisone can cause significant increases in blood sugar levels. Diabetic patients may require adjustments to their diabetes medications while on prednisone therapy.

Individuals with Osteoporosis

Prednisone can accelerate bone loss, particularly in those already at risk for osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation, along with bone density monitoring, are often recommended.

Patients with Mental Health Conditions

Individuals with a history of depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders may experience exacerbation of symptoms while on prednisone. Close monitoring and potential adjustment of psychiatric medications may be necessary.

For all these special populations, the benefits of prednisone treatment must be carefully weighed against the potential risks. Individualized treatment plans and close medical supervision are essential to ensure the safest and most effective use of this powerful medication.

Does prednisone make you sleepy?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on July 20, 2022.

Prednisone does not usually cause sleepiness but may make you feel dizzy, irritable with mood swings, or cause you to have trouble sleeping (insomnia). If your dose is stopped too quickly or if you take prednisone for a long period of time you may feel severely fatigued. Do not stop taking prednisone unless directed to do so by your doctor. Don’t drive or operate machinery if you feel tired.

Prednisone is often given to treat inflammatory flare-ups of medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, asthma or severe skin rashes. You may feel sleepy or tired while you recover. If your tiredness does not improve, contact your healthcare provider.

What are the most common central nervous system side effects with prednisone?

  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Depression
  • Headache
  • Feeling happy or energized
  • “Jittery” or shaky feeling
  • Seizures
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Mood or personality changes
  • Vertigo or a feeling of “spinning”

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have: shortness of breath, severe stomach pain, blood in your stools; black or tar-colored stools, severe depression, severe changes in your personality, mood or behavior; or trouble with your eyes, vision or eye pain.

This is not all the information you need to know about prednisone for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full prednisone product and patient information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

References

  • U.S. National Library of Medicine. DailyMed. Prednisone tablet. August 2021. Available at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=03228706-92b9-43c9-8d73-c73aa124c58d&audience=consumer [Accessed May 2, 2022].

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Medical Disclaimer

Prednisone Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Uses

Prednisone is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood disorders, breathing problems, severe allergies, skin diseases, cancer, eye problems, and immune system disorders. Prednisone belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It decreases your immune system’s response to various diseases to reduce symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions.

How to use prednisone oral

Take this medication by mouth, with food or milk to prevent stomach upset, as directed by your doctor. Carefully measure the dose using the dropper that comes with your medication. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. You may mix the medication in juice or applesauce before taking it. If you are prescribed only one dose per day, take it in the morning before 9 A.M.

Take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow the dosing schedule carefully. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If you are taking this medication on a different schedule than a daily one (such as every other day), it may help to mark your calendar with a reminder.

Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Also, you may experience symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, muscle pain, headache, tiredness, dizziness. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, heartburn, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, or acne may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: muscle pain/cramps, irregular heartbeat, weakness, swelling hands/ankles/feet, unusual weight gain, signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn’t go away, fever), vision problems (such as blurred vision), symptoms of stomach/intestinal bleeding (such as stomach/abdominal pain, black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds), mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, agitation), slow wound healing, thinning skin, bone pain, menstrual period changes, puffy face, seizures, easy bruising/bleeding.

This medication may rarely make your blood sugar rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst/urination. If you already have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.

A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before taking prednisone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: current/past infections (such as fungal infections, tuberculosis, herpes), heart problems (such as heart failure, recent heart attack), high blood pressure, thyroid problems, kidney disease, liver disease, stomach/intestinal problems (such as ulcer, diverticulitis), bone loss (osteoporosis), mental/mood disorders (such as psychosis, anxiety, depression), eye diseases (such as cataracts, glaucoma), diabetes, mineral imbalance (such as low level of potassium/calcium in the blood), seizures, blood clots, bleeding problems.

Using corticosteroid medications for a long time can make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used this medication within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. If you will be using this medication for a long time, carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use of this medication.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This medication may mask signs of infection. It can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

This medication may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, liver disease, or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.

Tell your health care professional that you are using prednisone before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol while using this medicine may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcoholic beverages. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially bone loss/pain, stomach/intestinal bleeding, and mental/mood changes (such as confusion).

This medication may slow down a child’s growth if used for a long time. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details. See the doctor regularly so your child’s height and growth can be checked.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may rarely harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for an extended period of time may have hormone problems. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as nausea/vomiting that doesn’t stop, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.

This medication passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: aldesleukin, mifepristone, drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, “blood thinners” such as dabigatran/warfarin, NSAIDs such as aspirin/celecoxib/ibuprofen).

If your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually 81-162 milligrams a day), you should continue taking it unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as skin tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Does prednisone oral interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

If this medication is used for an extended time, lab and/or medical tests (such as blood mineral levels, blood glucose, complete blood count, height/weight measurements, bone density tests, blood pressure, eye exams) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details

This medication may cause bone problems (osteoporosis) when taken for an extended time. Lifestyle changes that may help reduce the risk of bone problems include doing weight-bearing exercise, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol. Discuss with your doctor lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

If you are taking this medication daily and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you are taking this medication on a different schedule than a daily one (such as every other day), ask your doctor ahead of time about what you should do if you miss a dose.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. The medication expires 90 days after the bottle is opened. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

Angioedema – causes, symptoms, treatment (first aid, drugs) of angioedema

Causes

Classification

Symptoms

Complications

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prophylaxis

Quincke’s edema, also known as angioedema, is an acute allergic reaction of the immediate type. It is a rapidly emerging swelling of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes in a certain area of ​​the body, most often in the face, neck, genitals. Of particular danger is the defeat of the larynx, which can result in suffocation and death of the patient, as well as swelling of the meninges.

Quincke’s edema requires emergency medical care and often hospitalization of the patient. If there are signs of suffocation, then first of all contact with the allergen is eliminated and resuscitation measures are taken to restore the patency of the airways, then antihistamines, glucocorticosteroids and other drugs are administered.

Reasons

Angioedema is the immune system’s way of responding to exposure to foreign proteins. A special type of leukocytes, mast cells, is involved in its development. When interacting with an allergen, they release biologically active compounds into the blood: histamine, prostaglandins, bradykinin, and others. These substances increase the permeability of blood vessels, due to which the fluid from the bloodstream passes into the surrounding tissues and causes them to swell.

Mast cells are not present everywhere in the body, they are concentrated in the skin, subcutaneous fat, mucous membranes and membranes of internal organs, which explains the damage to certain parts of the body.

Angioedema can be caused by any allergen. More often, the following factors lead to its development:

  • invasive cosmetic procedures involving the injection of a substance;
  • exposure to food allergens;
  • bite of insects or poisonous animals.
  • There is also a non-allergic form of angioedema, inherited at the gene level. As a result of mutations, an absolute or relative deficiency of the C1 esterase inhibitor of the complement system appears, and an increased formation of bradykinin occurs, which increases vascular permeability. An excess of biologically active substances can also be released in the presence of malignant tumors, autoimmune processes, viral, fungal or parasitic infections.

    Classification

    According to the clinical course, Quincke’s edema can be acute, if it lasts from 2 hours to 6 weeks, and chronic, if it lasts more than 1.5 months.

    More often it appears in isolation, but there is also a form combined with urticaria. Also isolated hereditary angioedema and acquired. It is called idiopathic if the cause of the disease could not be established.

    Symptoms

    Edema occurs suddenly, rapidly, asymmetrically. The skin in the affected area has a pale pink color, the underlying tissues are dense to the touch, painless, when pressed on them, there is no depression left. The patient is rarely worried about itching, more often a feeling of fullness, tingling, burning.

    Symptoms of Quincke’s edema continue to be present from a couple of hours to several days or weeks, after which they usually disappear without a trace.

    With Quincke’s edema, those parts of the body that have a lot of subcutaneous tissue swell:

    • the periorbital region;
    • lips;
    • cheeks;
    • neck;
    • external genitalia;
    • brushes.

    The mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, tongue, larynx, esophagus, intestines, urinary organs are also affected, which disrupts their normal functioning.

    With swelling of the larynx, breathing can be difficult up to asphyxia. The first signs of this process are hoarseness or loss of voice, barking cough. In the future, shortness of breath appears, the skin of the face acquires a bluish tint. The closure of the airway lumen is accompanied by loss of consciousness and, without resuscitation, can lead to death.

    It is more difficult to diagnose an isolated lesion of the digestive organs. With it, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, flatulence, an admixture of blood and mucus in the feces can be observed, which requires care from the doctor and his ability to distinguish the symptoms of angioedema from surgical pathology and manifestations of poisoning.

    Meningeal edema leads to severe headaches, neck muscle tension, convulsive seizures, nausea, and vomiting.

    Complications

    In addition to asphyxia in the case of damage to the larynx, the disease can lead to other serious complications. Since the liquid leaves the vessels in a significant amount, the volume of circulating blood in them decreases, and as a result, the work of the myocardium suffers.

    Quincke’s edema in adults prone to cardiac pathologies can cause arrhythmia and be fatal. The pathological process in other internal organs with a pronounced violation of their function may be accompanied by the development of coma, renal failure, the picture of “acute abdomen”.

    Diagnosis

    In all cases of angioedema, consultation with an allergist is indicated. Diagnosis of the classical form of the disease with localization on the face, neck, limbs does not cause difficulties due to characteristic symptoms. It is more difficult to identify Quincke’s edema with an isolated lesion of the internal organs or the brain. To do this, it is necessary to conduct laboratory tests, and sometimes instrumental studies.

    To determine the cause of angioedema, the doctor takes a history, specifying the presence of similar allergic reactions in close relatives, the circumstances of the onset of symptoms and their relationship to medication, food, use of cosmetics, insect or animal bites.

    It is also necessary to find out if the patient had any autoimmune or oncological disease, whether he is taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, estrogens.

    Laboratory diagnosis of the disease includes the following tests:

    1. Clinical blood test. With angioedema caused by allergies, the number of eosinophils is increased.
    2. Biochemistry of blood. Analysis is necessary to assess the work of internal organs.
    3. Determination of the level of total IgE in the blood. Its increase testifies in favor of the allergic nature of the development of edema.
    4. Skin tests. Allows you to identify the allergen that caused the swelling.
    5. Determination of the concentration and functional activity of the components of the compliment system. A decrease in the C1 inhibitor indicates a hereditary factor in the development of the disease.
    6. Genetic study, the purpose of which is to search for mutations in the C1NH gene. It is carried out with a burdened family history for the early detection of hereditary Quincke’s edema.

    According to indications, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, gastroscopy, examination of feces for dysbacteriosis, and with swelling of the larynx, laryngoscopy can also be recommended.

    Treatment

    With Quincke’s edema, in the vast majority of cases, emergency hospitalization in the ENT, allergological or therapeutic department is indicated, and resuscitation may be required if complications develop.

    First aid

    What to do with Quincke’s edema, you should find out in advance so as not to get confused at a critical moment and help the person before the doctors arrive. The disease can have severe and life-threatening consequences, so you should immediately call an ambulance team. If the allergen that provoked such an immune response is known, it is necessary to break the contact of the patient with it as soon as possible.

    First aid for angioedema includes the following measures:

    • in case of an insect or animal bite, a pressure bandage is applied to the affected area;
    • when the reaction has occurred after an injection of the drug, cold is applied to the injection site;
    • when symptoms are localized on the face, neck, swelling of the larynx, clothes are unbuttoned, you also need to open the window;
    • in case of ingestion of the allergen, you can drink a sorbent, such as activated charcoal or Smecta.

    The development of Quincke’s edema in children is accompanied by a restless state of the child, screaming and crying, which, in case of manifestations of the disease on the face and in the larynx, can accelerate the onset of asphyxia. Therefore, it is extremely important to calm such a patient and stay close to him until the doctors arrive.

    Inpatient treatment

    Non-drug treatment of angioedema includes a diet containing only foods with a low probability of developing an allergic reaction, limiting the intake of medications that increase the release of biologically active substances into the blood. In case of suffocation, emergency intubation or tracheostomy is performed.

    Angioedema medications are usually administered intravenously or intramuscularly. To stop an allergic reaction, antihistamines, glucocorticosteroids, enterosorbents, solutions to restore the volume of circulating blood, normalize the acid-base and water-electrolyte balance are used.

    In hereditary angioedema, prednisolone and antihistamines are ineffective. In this case, the administration of a C1 inhibitor, fresh frozen native plasma, antifibrinolytic and diuretic drugs, androgens is recommended in the acute period.

    Prevention

    Prevention of angioedema consists in the complete exclusion of contact with substances that cause the development of allergies. Patients with a hereditary nature of the disease are recommended medication preparation before dental procedures and surgical interventions, which should be discussed in advance with an allergist.

    The author of the article:

    Ovsyankina Olga Vladimirovna

    allergist-immunologist

    work experience 11 years

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