Psyllium is a herbal supplement used to soften the stool and alleviate constipation. Although allergic reactions are rare, heart palpitations are a sign of a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. If you develop heart palpitations after taking psyllium, call 911 immediately to prevent further complications. An increased heart rate that causes a faint pulse is a warning sign that your body is experiencing a state of shock.
Psyllium Background
Psyllium is made from the seed and husk of a plant and helps absorb water from the intestines, causing your stool to be softer and promote digestive regularity. People who suffer from anal fissures, hemorrhoids and who are recovering from anal surgery may use this supplement, according to MedlinePlus, an online resource of the National Institutes of Health. Other conditions psyllium may be useful for include colitis, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. Taking too much of the supplement can cause common side effects, such as bloating, gas and stomach pain.
Heart Palpitation Cause
Heart palpitations are a sign of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a systematic allergic reaction that can lead to death if not treated. The increased heart rate is the result of a large amount of chemicals that are triggered by a malfunction of the immune system. Your immune system mistakes the proteins in the psyllium as dangerous and attacks them. The chemicals that are triggered can cause your body to enter a state of shock, causing your blood pressure to drop, your heart rate to increase and your airways to swell. Symptoms can develop within seconds or a few minutes of taking the supplement.
Symptoms
Along with heart palpitations, anaphylaxis can cause other signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction. For example, anaphylaxis can also cause skin rashes, such as hives; facial, lip or tongue swelling; dizziness; lightheadedness; the inability to breathe; the feeling of a lump in your throat; nausea; and the feeling of doom, according to the Mayo Clinic. If your health care provider diagnoses you with a severe allergic reaction to psyllium, you need to avoid ingesting the substance and carry an epinephrine pen on your person in case of an emergency.
Epinephrine
Epinephrine is a medication used to treat heart palpitations from a severe allergic reaction. This medication comes in the form of a pen that is used to inject the drug into the body at the first sign of anaphylaxis. If you have to use the medication, you still need to call your doctor and go to the emergency room. Severe allergic reaction symptoms can develop even after you've had an injection of epinephrine.
