If you have recently received a hereditary angioedema diagnosis of this sometimes very serious condition and are looking for information to help you not only fight it but also to improve your chances of treating it then this is a good positive place to start. Also known as HAE this unpredictable and often painful condition has no known cure but it can be controlled. As this condition is intrinsic it’s possible that it can be passed onto your children if you suffer from it. So it’s very important to get a full diagnosis from a specialist to be absolutely sure.
The unfortunate thing is that the symptoms from this condition can derail your everyday life in a number of negative ways, not only making it painful just to speak, drink, or eat – but also causing you tremendous anguish and forcing you to withdraw into yourself and avoid social situations at times. This can be a huge blow to your self-confidence and is not easy to deal with at all.
It’s important that you understand exactly what hereditary angioedema is, what you can do to remedy this condition, and adjust your lifestyle accordingly without sacrificing the quality of your life. A supportive family and partner are essential and can make a huge difference to your life. Dealing with this condition alone is not recommended, you should try to get all the help you can and make those closest to you understand your circumstances and what you’re going through.
So what is hereditary angioedema?
There are many different levels of this condition and terms used to describe it, for example hereditary angioedema type 3 is just one of them. But understanding it from a much more broader scope and in it’s simplest terms, this rare and misunderstood condition is passed down from your family tree to you through your DNA. The tissues in your body start to become intense and swell up and this can usually happen to any part of the body, the intestines, abdomen, hands, face and throat to name but a few. Attacks are sudden and can take you by surprise if you are not prepared and can happen anytime in the day or night.
What are the symptoms of hereditary angioedema?
There are a different number of symptoms that you may have to deal with when you are suffering from hereditary angioedema, but the most common ones include (but are not limited to):
Abdominal pain
Larynx swelling
Very real and constant pressure around your nose
Muscle pains before, during, and after an attack of hereditary angioedema
A very severe swelling around your lips, around your eyes, and around other sensitive areas of your body
Headaches that turn into migraines and a sensation of pressure building in your skull
You may also experience dry, cracked, and painful skin all over your body and especially on your lips – and this is doubly true if you are dealing with hereditary angioedema type 3 symptoms.
Although these are just a few of the common symptoms it really depends on your own biological make-up as each individual has his/her own unique DNA and their diagnosis will be unique.
Is there Hereditary Angioedema Treatment?
There are specific things you can do to leverage the right hereditary angioedema treatment and even reduce these problems as much as possible. The first and most obvious thing to do is see a professional specialist and get a complete diagnosis. They can advise you on the right kind of medication and manage your particular condition according to how severe it is.
You may also want to consider seeing a food allergy specialist as they can single out the foods in your diet that you could be having an allergic reaction to. Nuts, dairy products, chocolate, eggs and shellfish are possible “hidden triggers” in your diet that you may be unaware of that may be causing your angiodema according to recent scientific studies. An experienced nutritionist and food allergy professional can give you an ongoing diagnosis and tailor a suitable diet plan for you.
Even though there’s no real magic pill for this condition you can always try alternative therapies like acupuncture, homeopathic solutions and herbal remedies but obviously at your own discretion. Having a condition like hereditary angiodema can be difficult to live with but it can be controlled as to limit it’s impact on the quality of your life.
All the videos on this site are strictly for educational purposes only. They are a not a substitute for diagnosis, medical advice or proper medical attention. You should always consult a fully trained and qualified health care professional.