Airway Management
Anaphylaxis can cause edema of the tongue, lips, muscles of the throat and voice box. Apart from edema, anaphylaxis can also hyper-stimulate secretion in the airway. This can seriously hamper breathing. To deal with this respiratory obstruction, patency of the airway can be re-established via a technique called intubation. Intubation involves inserting of a tube in the air passage.
Oxygen can then also be initiated to further assist breathing. Oxygen therapy is indicated if the patient undergoes cyanosis, presenting with bluish lips, and pale skin due to loss of blood volume. The patient is put on a ventilator, to assist the breathing. Proper respiratory preservation prevents respiratory arrest, and potential death due to this cause.