Hereditary angioedema is a rare genetic condition that causes swelling under the skin and in the lining of the intestines and lungs. It can happen in different parts of your body. Hereditary angioedema is a permanent condition and you will have it for life. But treatment will help you manage this condition. Symptoms usually appear in childhood and worsen during adolescence. Many people do not know until their adulthood that their swelling is caused by hereditary angioedema. Attacks can come and go, and involvement can always be seen in different regions. In this article, we have written for you the treatment of hereditary angioedema and other things to know about this condition.
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How Is It Treated?
There are various drugs used in the treatment of hereditary angioedema. These drugs do not completely eliminate the disease. It prevents the discomfort caused by the symptoms. Such drugs are called prophylactics. It is extremely important to stay in touch with your doctor about treating and managing your condition. Your doctor will help you get through the attack times more easily by prescribing the appropriate Medicines for you. Here are some tips for managing your hereditary angioedema:
Learn About Your Disease
Try to learn as much as possible about hereditary angioedema so that you can make informed decisions about your treatment and the medications you need to be careful with. If you can understand your triggers, you can better avoid them. You can keep a diary of your attacks and symptoms. Thanks to this diary, you can see some situations more clearly.
Consult Your Doctor Before Taking Medication
It is very important to consult your doctor before starting any medication. Some medications can increase the chance of having an attack. Also, get information from your doctor before having a dental procedure and talk to your dentist about your disease.
Carry Your Medical Information With You At All Times
Make sure you have everything you need to know about your illness with you.
What Causes Hereditary Angioedema?
In this disease, a certain protein in your body is out of balance. This causes tiny blood vessels to push fluid into close areas of your body. This causes sudden swelling. A problem with the gene that makes a blood protein called a C1 inhibitor often causes hereditary angioedema. In general, hereditary angioedema occurs when you don’t have enough of this protein. In other cases there is enough protein but it is not working properly. If one of your parents has hereditary angioedema, you’re more likely to have it too. However, sometimes gene changes occur for unknown reasons. If you have the defective gene, you can pass it on to your children.
What Are The Symptoms?
The most typical symptom of hereditary angioedema is swelling. This swelling can occur in various parts of the body. An attack can last 2 to 5 days. Different areas of the body where swelling can occur include:
- mouth or throat,
- hands,
- Foot,
- Face,
- genitals,
- Your wife.
Swelling in the throat is the most dangerous symptom. Swelling in the feet and hands can be painful and make it difficult for you to go about your daily life. Swelling in your abdomen can cause:
- extreme pain,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Diarrhea.
Sometimes you may see some warning signs before swelling occurs. These warning signs include:
- Overstrain,
- muscle pain,
- Tingle,
- Headache,
- belly pain,
- hoarseness,
- mood changes.
What Are The Triggers?
You may not be able to pinpoint exactly what your trigger is. However, common triggers that can cause attacks include:
- stress and anxiety,
- Minor injuries or surgery
- Illnesses such as cold or flu,
- Some physical activities
- Certain medications, including those used for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
In some cases, attacks can be triggered in women. For example, even if there are not very frequent attacks in pregnant women, the frequency and severity of attacks may increase after delivery. Women taking birth control or estrogen-containing hormone replacement therapy often report having more and worse seizures while using these drugs.
Hereditary Types of Angioedema
There are two main types of hereditary angioedema: Type 1 and type 2. The third type, hereditary angioedema with normal C1 inhibitor, is rare and poorly understood.
Type 1 Hereditary Angioedema
Type 1 HA accounts for approximately 85% of all cases. Type 1 occurs when a person has low levels of C1 inhibitors in their blood.
Type 2 HA
Type 2 HA accounts for 15% of all people. In type 2 cases, a person’s C1 inhibitor level is normal or near normal, but the protein does not work properly.
HA With Normal C1 Inhibitor
HA with normal C1 inhibitor, also known as estrogen-dependent or type 3 HA, occurs in very few people. People living with this type of HA experience symptoms of the condition, but C1 inhibitors are fully functional and appear at normal levels. This condition primarily affects women who have given birth.
How Is Hereditary Angioedema Diagnosed?
Hereditary angioedema typically causes periods of painful swelling on the face, hands, feet, or genitals. Dangerous swellings can also occur in the airways of the lungs or the intestinal walls. These symptoms can be moved from one place to another during the same attack. Where and when swelling will occur is difficult to predict, and triggers vary from person to person. These triggers can include anxiety, surgery, dental procedures, medications, and illnesses such as colds and flu. Many people have early warning signs of an attack. For example, extreme tiredness, skin tingling, a hoarse voice, or sudden mood swings may indicate an impending swelling. It can be difficult to accurately diagnose hereditary angioedema. Because the disease is rare, doctors usually rule out more common conditions with similar symptoms first. In addition to physical examination and medical history, hereditary angioedema is diagnosed by measuring C1 inhibitor level and function in the blood.
