Annotated Bibliography Example

Beverley Bostock-Cox. (2012, July 12). Recognizing and managing allergic disease in the community. British Journal of Community Nursing, 17 (7), 302-308.

The article highlights the idea that allergic disease and its symptoms have a very significant impact on the quality of individuals’ life and discusses the causes of allergic disease. What is more, the authors prove the importance of allergen avoidance and the alternative treatment options which are available nowadays. Being an atopic tendency expression, allergy can occur in different body sites including lungs, skin, eyes, nose and even gastrointestinal tract (p. 302).

The authors indicate such common allergic diseases as eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and food allergy. Emphasis is made on asthma which is a “chronic inflammatory condition of the airways” (p. 302), its management and action plans. Three question approach of the Royal College of Physicians has been provided in order to help patients assess asthma control.

It has been noted that society faces an increasing number of allergic disease prevalence. In order to identify allergic disease, nurses should obtain a careful medical history of the patient due to the fact that symptoms and signs may not be evident and present when the patient is seen. A background of other allergic diseases in the patient’s family is also of vital importance.

The authors summarize that corticosteroid therapy forms the basis for the treatment of many allergic conditions. However, receptors of the platelet aggregating factor, histamine and leukotriene release and other drugs may be used in order to impact different parts of the allergic cascade (p. 308). Allergen avoidance is also considered to be an effective non-pharmacological intervention which is an essential part of allergic disease management. Though, it is not always possible as the allergen may not have been identified or it is impossible to avoid it in everyday life.

References

Beverley Bostock-Cox. (2012, July 12). Recognizing and managing allergic disease in the community. British Journal of Community Nursing, 17 (7), 302-308.