Latest news with #EpiPen
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
How bee stings can trigger heart attacks: Lessons from Sunjay Kapur's death
Industrialist and Sona Comstar Chairman Sunjay Kapur reportedly died of a heart attack after accidentally swallowing a bee during a polo match in London. While the details are still emerging, this rare but deadly chain of events has left many shocked—and curious about how something so small could cause such a severe reaction. What happens when a bee sting causes anaphylaxis Dr Tariq Rashid, Director and Head of Department of Cardiology, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, told Business Standard: 'Bee stings are typically harmless to many people, but they can have serious risks for those who are allergic. In rare but serious situations, bee stings can cause a reaction called anaphylaxis that can be deadly. This reaction occurs when chemicals, including histamine, are released rapidly into the body, resulting in widespread dilation of blood vessels, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and swelling, especially in the area around the airways. If the sting occurs in the mouth or throat—such as by swallowing a bee accidentally—the risk of airway obstruction and difficulty breathing significantly increases. This combination of lack of oxygen and increased strain on the cardiovascular system can lead to a heart attack or even cardiac arrest in extreme situations.' The science behind anaphylaxis and allergic collapse When a bee stings, it can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening immune response that can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen, such as peanuts or bee venom. For some individuals, this may result in: Swelling of the throat or tongue Difficulty breathing A sudden drop in blood pressure Shock or cardiac arrest In some cases, especially when the sting affects the airway or windpipe, even non-allergic individuals can experience life-threatening swelling or spasms. Can a bee sting really cause a heart attack? Yes. Anaphylaxis can trigger Kounis Syndrome—a rare condition in which a severe allergic reaction causes spasms in the coronary arteries, leading to a heart attack. According to experts, this may explain the unfortunate chain of events in Sunjay Kapur's case. Triggers reported in medical literature include stings from ants, bees, wasps, and jellyfish, as well as exposures such as grass cutting, poison ivy, latex contact, limpet ingestion, millet allergy, shellfish consumption, and viper venom poisoning. What to do in a bee sting emergency 'Immediate medical intervention is crucial in such cases. Administering epinephrine (adrenaline) through an auto-injector like an EpiPen is the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis, followed by emergency medical care. Quick action—recognising the signs, calling emergency services, and providing oxygen and CPR if needed—can make the difference between life and death. For individuals with known severe allergies, it's essential to carry emergency medication and inform those around them about how to use it,' said Dr Rashid. Steps to take during a severe allergic reaction If someone shows signs of a severe allergic reaction or collapses suddenly, every second counts. Here's what you should do: Call emergency services immediately Check for a pulse and breathing If unresponsive, begin CPR Use an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) if available Do not try to make the person vomit, even if they've ingested a bee or insect If the person is conscious and showing mild symptoms (such as swelling or difficulty breathing), try to keep them calm and seated upright while waiting for help. Can incidents like this be prevented? While this was an extremely rare and tragic event, certain precautions may help reduce risk: Wear a mouthguard or face covering during outdoor sports, especially in insect-prone areas Avoid drinking sweet beverages uncovered outdoors, as bees are attracted to sugary scents If you have a known allergy, always carry an EpiPen and ensure people around you know how to use it Sunjay Kapur's death is a heartbreaking reminder that medical emergencies can strike without warning. Recognising the signs of anaphylaxis and knowing how to respond quickly could save a life—even in the most unexpected circumstances.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Toronto mother says son suffering life-threatening allergic reaction had to wait about 20 minutes for ambulance
Riley is feeling better after a life-threatening allergic reaction at his school in midtown Toronto Tuesday morning. 'I ate something that had or touched peanuts,' the 10-year-old told CTV News. 'I didn't think it had because it was in a normal bag.' It was shortly after 10 a.m., he told his teacher when he started feeling unwell and went to the school office. 'They gave me my EpiPen when my throat was kind of closing in,' he said. The school, located near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue, also called 911 at 10:17 a.m. It was answered very quickly and they waited for an ambulance to show up. As they waited, Riley's condition didn't improve, and they had to give him a second shot of his EpiPen. 'It was pretty scary while I was waiting for the ambulance,' said Riley. Riley Dale Riley Dale speaks to CTV News Toronto. Toronto paramedics told CTV News, 'While the crew was en route, the call priority was upgraded. The total response time was 19 minutes.' 'My son's school is in midtown Toronto, and there's no reason why this should take that long,' said Amanda Dale, Riley's mom. According to the 10-year-old, fortunately, Hatzoloh Toronto, an emergency service operating in Toronto's Jewish community, arrived to help within three minutes of them being called. They were able to support him but they cannot transport patients to the hospital. 'I was told that when the ambulance did arrive, it was questioned why it took so long, and they responded by saying that they were having a very busy day,' said Dale. 'That's extremely upsetting and extremely frustrating to hear that.' This is the third emergency call reported to CTV News in five days that a patient experienced a 911 call or ambulance response time delay. On Friday, passersby told CTV News they called 911 after they found a staff member bleeding in the doorway of a store near Queen Street West and John Street following a robbery. Toronto paramedics confirmed the ambulance response time was 15. On Saturday night, a 15-year-old was shot in the area of Weston Road and Jane Street. Neighbours rushed to help him and called 911 but the first call was not answered for nearly 7 minutes. The boy was pronounced dead in the hospital. Mayor Olivia Chow called the delay in answering the call 'not acceptable,' and the deputy chief of Toronto Paramedics confirmed a review was underway. The Toronto Police Service told CTV News, '…reducing wait times is a top priority for the Toronto Police Service. We are actively hiring three classes of 30 new communications operators this year to strengthen our capacity and improve response times.' For Dale, she wants to see the delays addressed urgently to prevent a different ending for another child. 'We shouldn't be expected to have a separate, private ambulance service to address our children's emergency needs,' she said.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
This recent URI grad had a late-night snack. An allergic reaction killed him.
After their son, a recent University of Rhode Island graduate, died just days after his graduation from anaphylactic shock, a Massachusetts family is raising awareness about food allergies. Timothy Howard, who grew up in Southborough, Massachusetts, died May 24 from a severe allergic reaction to a late-night snack − a chocolate bar − that was contaminated with peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, told USA TODAY. His whole body went into shock. He went into his parents' bedroom, and they administered three EpiPens, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, but the reaction was "very fast," and the EpiPen "didn't work." The chocolate bar Timmy ate said "may contain" peanuts on the label, according to his parents. His mother says if a food label says it "may contain" your allergen, don't take the risk. Now, his family is sharing their story to prevent similar tragedies. His sister, Julia, says manufacturers need to make food labels clearer instead of relying on "may contain" warnings. His dad, Tim, says that individuals also need to carefully read those labels. Timmy Howard's Phi Kappa Psi fraternity brothers are raising money for the Food Allergy Research & Education, a nonprofit advocacy organization that spreads awareness and funds research for food allergies. They've raised nearly $28,000 as of June 12. The donations will go toward advancing anaphylaxis research and treatment options; supporting education programs in schools and communities; promoting life-saving awareness and emergency preparedness and advocating for stronger food allergy policies and labeling laws. "We don't want people to go through what we're going through after burying our child. This is hell," his mother says. Howard's story is frightening and not entirely uncommon. Food allergies impact more than 33 million people in the U.S. You can never assume a food or object is free of your allergen, experts say, as it can lurk in the most unexpected places. Fish and shellfish, for example, are sometimes dipped in milk to reduce their fishy odor, putting those with dairy allergies at risk. Cross-contamination – when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another – can also expose you to an allergen. Federal laws require that the nine most common allergens – milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame – must be labeled on packaged foods sold in the U.S. However, there are no laws requiring manufacturers to say whether a product may have come into contact with a specific allergen, allowing potential cross-contamination to fly under the radar. Teenagers and young adults with food allergies are at the highest risk of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis. "This age group is a high-risk group," Timmy's mother says. "They are independent. They don't want to trouble people at a party to say, 'Hey, what's in this brownie?'" Contributing: Katie Camero and Providence Journal Staff reports. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Recent URI graduate dead after anaphylactic shock from food allergy
USA Today
5 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
He had a late-night snack after graduating from college. An allergic reaction killed him.
Hear this story After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Timothy Howard had his whole life ahead of him. But that bright future was tragically cut short when he died just days later from a severe allergic reaction to a late-night snack — a chocolate bar — that was contaminated with peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, told USA TODAY. Timmy's whole body went into shock. He went into his parents' bedroom, and they administered three EpiPens, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, but the reaction was "very fast," and the EpiPen "didn't work." Now, his family is sharing their story to prevent other families from losing a loved one to food allergies. His sister, Julia, says manufacturers need to make food labels clearer instead of relying on "may contain" warnings. His dad, Tim, says that individuals also need to carefully read those labels. Timmy's college fraternity brothers are raising money for the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a nonprofit advocacy organization that spreads awareness and funds research for food allergies. They've raised nearly $28,000 as of June 10, according to his mother. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. "We don't want people to go through what we're going through after burying our child. This is hell," his mother says. How to check food labels for allergies Howard's story is frightening and not entirely uncommon. Food allergies impact more than 33 million people in the U.S. You can never assume a food or object is free of your allergen, experts say, as it can lurk in the most unexpected places. Fish and shellfish, for example, are sometimes dipped in milk to reduce their fishy odor, putting those with dairy allergies at risk. Cross-contamination – when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another – can also expose you to an allergen. Federal laws require that the nine most common allergens – milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame – must be labeled on packaged foods sold in the U.S. However, there are no laws requiring manufacturers to say whether a product may have come into contact with a specific allergen, allowing potential cross-contamination to fly under the radar. The chocolate bar Timmy ate said "may contain" peanuts on the label, according to his parents. His mother wants other parents to tell their kids – regardless of their age – to "be aware of what they're eating." "If it does say 'may contain,' don't eat it," she added. What health & wellness means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Keeping It Together newsletter. How to treat anaphylactic reactions Anaphylactic reactions most commonly occur in response to foods, insect stings, medications and latex, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. In addition to EpiPens, the FDA approved a new nasal spray in August 2024 as the first needle-free emergency treatment for potentially fatal allergic reactions. Neffy FDA approval: First nasal spray for allergic reactions gets green light The spray, which is made by ARS Pharmaceuticals and sold under the brand name Neffy, is seen as an alternative to EpiPen and other autoinjectors that are filled with epinephrine, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions. However, these treatments don't always work. Epinephrine begins to work immediately after it is administered, but its full effect may take 5-10 minutes. And, the drug can begin to wear off within 20-30 minutes — sometimes before the allergic reaction has subsided. Timing is also crucial. For an epinephrine injection to work, it should be given at the first sign of an allergic reaction. "Let's come together in remembrance of Timmy and help build a safer future for all," Timmy's friends wrote on the fundraising page. Contributing: Katie Camero.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
He had a late-night snack after graduating college. An allergic reaction killed him.
He had a late-night snack after graduating college. An allergic reaction killed him. Timmy Howard passed away just days after graduating from the University of Rhode Island. His parents want to save others' lives by bringing awareness to food allergies. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Timothy Howard had his whole life ahead of him. But that bright future was tragically cut short when he died just days later from a severe allergic reaction to a late-night snack — a chocolate bar — that was contaminated with peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, told USA TODAY. Timmy's whole body went into shock. He went into his parents' bedroom, and they administered three EpiPens, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, but the reaction was "very fast," and the EpiPen "didn't work." Now, his family is sharing their story to prevent other families from losing a loved one to food allergies. His sister, Julia, says manufacturers need to make food labels clearer instead of relying on "may contain" warnings. His dad, Tim, says that individuals also need to carefully read those labels. Timmy's college fraternity brothers are raising money for the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a nonprofit advocacy organization that spreads awareness and funds research for food allergies. They've raised nearly $28,000 as of June 10, according to his mother. "We don't want people to go through what we're going through after burying our child. This is hell," his mother says. How to check food labels for allergies Howard's story is frightening and not entirely uncommon. Food allergies impact more than 33 million people in the U.S. It's a 'growing, silent public health crisis,' said FARE CEO Sung Poblete. You can never assume a food or object is free of your allergen, experts say, as it can lurk in the most unexpected places. Fish and shellfish, for example, are sometimes dipped in milk to reduce their fishy odor, putting those with dairy allergies at risk. Cross-contamination – when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another – can also expose you to an allergen. Federal laws require that the nine most common allergens – milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame – must be labeled on packaged foods sold in the U.S. However, there are no laws requiring manufacturers to say whether a product may have come into contact with a specific allergen, allowing potential cross-contamination to fly under the radar. The chocolate bar Timmy ate said "may contain" peanuts on the label, according to his parents. His mother wants other parents to tell their kids – regardless of their age – to "be aware of what they're eating." "If it does say 'may contain,' don't eat it," she added. How to treat anaphylactic reactions Anaphylactic reactions most commonly occur in response to foods, insect stings, medications and latex, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. In addition to EpiPens, the FDA approved a new nasal spray in August 2024 as the first needle-free emergency treatment for potentially fatal allergic reactions. Neffy FDA approval: First nasal spray for allergic reactions gets green light The spray, which is made by ARS Pharmaceuticals and sold under the brand name Neffy, is seen as an alternative to EpiPen and other autoinjectors that are filled with epinephrine, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions. However, these treatments don't always work. Epinephrine begins to work immediately after it is administered, but its full effect may take 5-10 minutes. And, the drug can begin to wear off within 20-30 minutes — sometimes before the allergic reaction has subsided. Timing is also crucial. For an epinephrine injection to work, it should be given at the first sign of an allergic reaction. "Let's come together in remembrance of Timmy and help build a safer future for all," Timmy's friends wrote on the fundraising page. Contributing: Katie Camero.
