Nuts
CLCS Unit Lesson 2C
Nut allergies, most commonly peanut, trigger the IgE immune response, or less commonly, produce hives, vomiting, or diarrhea, among other unpleasant symptoms. Since the severe IgE reaction can result in death, peanut allergies have resulted in media sensationalism. Also, since the primary affected population involves young children, an emotional reaction of the public is evoked. The only way to avoid this allergy is complete avoidance, which has resulted in life-style changing ways for many young parents, as well as adults who may suddenly find themselves allergic.
Anaphylaxis is a result of bronchospasm triggered by a release of histamine. Left untreated, it may result in death due to asphyxiation. Antihistamines, and epinephrine, which increases the rate of metabolism of the histamines, alleviate the symptom. Research as to why the immune system responds so dramatically in some, and not at all in others, has increased recently due to the apparent increase in children suffering from nut allergy.
Check out the following links, and add at least one new reference located either from the links contained within or in some other way to add to the resource section.
Discussion Questions: (use discussion tab at top of this page)
After discovering that a child has a life threatening allergy, what dietary, life-style, and emotional accomodations need to be made? Are there positive benefits from such a diagnosis? What social stigma, if any, may be attached to children who expereince limitations in what they may eat? Due to the relatively small percent of the population that suffers from this allergy, are funds for research into its alleviation properly appropriated?
Post one discussion entry responding to these questions, and reply to two other students entries.
References
Links
CLCS Lesson Units Introduction
CLCS Unit Lesson 1 Vocabulary
CLCS Unit Lesson 2 Space for Discussion Task
CLCS Unit Lesson 3 Resource sharing
CLCS Unit Lesson 4 Metacognitive strategies
CLCS Unit Lesson 5 Assessment Tools
Elizabeth Kinney EK Main Page
Portfolio EK EK Portfolio
ETAP 623 Spring 2009 Learning Commmunity