Final answer:
Airway complications from anaphylactic reactions include swelling of the tongue and throat, bronchospasm, and wheezing, which can result in suffocation if not treated promptly with epinephrine and emergency medical services.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anaphylactic reactions can lead to serious airway complications. One of the most immediate and life-threatening issues is the swelling of the tongue and throat, which can result in suffocation. This swelling, known medically as angioedema, can block the flow of air into the lungs, causing a person to struggle for breath or to stop breathing entirely. Additionally, anaphylaxis can cause contractions of the bronchial smooth muscles, leading to bronchospasm and further compromising respiratory function.
The release of histamine during anaphylaxis can induce wheezing and worsen the situation by narrowing the airways. Epinephrine, commonly administered through an autoinjector like an EpiPen®, is crucial in these cases as it works quickly to open the airways by reducing swelling and relaxing the bronchial muscles. Without immediate treatment with epinephrine and emergency medical attention, anaphylactic shock due to compromised airways can rapidly progress to coma or death.