Emergency Conditions to Watch Out for During Chuseok Holidays: Anaphylaxis and Airway Obstruction

Acute Symptoms Caused by Certain Allergic Foods or Bee Stings

Centum General Hospital, 24-Hour Emergency Room... Open During Holidays

The Chuseok holiday is a time to enjoy with family, but it is also a period when the risk of emergency medical conditions increases.

In particular, 'anaphylaxis' and 'airway obstruction' are emergencies that can be life-threatening.

During the holiday, acute allergic reactions may occur when consuming foods not usually eaten or being stung by bees during visits to ancestral graves. Major symptoms include hives, angioedema, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and abdominal pain.

Among these, anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction, referring to a serious acute hypersensitivity reaction affecting multiple organs, such as low blood pressure or airway obstruction. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, it can be fatal.

It is important to keep in mind that even patients with mild allergic reactions, such as localized hives, can experience complications leading to anaphylaxis and death if symptoms worsen.

This is because, in most patients, anaphylaxis develops within 60 minutes of exposure, and the faster the onset, the more severe the allergic reaction. It is known that about half of fatal cases occur within one hour.

Kim Sungkwon, Director of the Emergency Medical Center, stated, "In cases of anaphylaxis presenting with airway obstruction and low blood pressure, if symptoms of angioedema in the mouth, throat, or neck are causing respiratory failure, endotracheal intubation can be considered before the airway becomes completely blocked, and intravenous fluid administration can serve as the primary treatment."

He also said, "'Epinephrine' is the most important treatment as it can reduce breathing difficulties through bronchial dilation and treat cardiovascular abnormalities such as low blood pressure. However, complications such as rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, chest pain, and tremors may occur. Due to these concerns, its use may be hesitated, but in severe cases of anaphylaxis or when it takes a long time to reach the emergency room, it should be administered. Accidents involving airway obstruction due to food are also common during holidays."

Tough and sticky foods like meat or rice cakes are major causes of airway obstruction. Initial symptoms may include sudden difficulty breathing, inability to cough, and cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the face). In such cases, it is important to immediately perform the Heimlich maneuver, an emergency procedure that forcefully pushes up the patient's abdomen to expel the object blocking the airway. This method can be applied to both adults and children.

Kim Sungkwon, Director of the Emergency Medical Center at Centum General Hospital, emphasized, "During the holiday season, emergencies such as anaphylaxis and airway obstruction can occur suddenly, but if you are familiar with the proper response and act quickly, you can overcome them effectively."

The emergency room at Centum General Hospital will continue to operate 24 hours a day during the holiday as usual. In addition, on the day before Chuseok (the 16th) and the day after (the 18th), morning consultations will be available. On the 16th, two specialized centers (joint and spine) and eight departments will be open for patient care, and on the 18th, three specialized centers (joint, spine, and neurology) and two departments will be open.