Hereditary Angioedema or HAE, as referred by specialists, is a rare condition that is passed down genetically. It affects the immune system, causing erratic control over inflammatory responses. As a result, one might experience swelling in vital organs, primarily affecting the skin, respiration, and even the gastrointestinal tract. HAE symptoms may develop as early as puberty or later during adulthood and present moderate to severe symptoms. Here is a brief overview.

Common triggers of HAE
HAE can be the result of stress, anxiety, or even develop as a side effect of certain prescriptions given to manage other known conditions. Further, complications from a surgical procedure, underlying chronic illnesses, allergic reactions to certain foods or beverages, and even external environmental factors can result in the following symptoms.

Skin problems
Visible changes in the texture and surface of the skin are among the first signs of developing angioedema. Skin tightness and a tingling sensation are among the first signs of skin problems that one might notice. The severity of the disease progression will determine the intensity of the swelling. Initially, there is no pain, but as the symptoms persist, swelling in the hands, feet, face, mouth, genitals, and even the buttocks, where the skin will become more painful to touch. The swelling will also result in the enlargement of tissue covering these organs, thus affecting its purpose and function over time.

Discomfort in the abdomen
Swelling can also develop in the abdomen and spread to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. An HAE attack will gradually trigger swelling in the abdomen within the intestinal wall, with pain that increases with the progression of the attack. Soon enough, the affected person will feel nauseated or feel like vomiting as the swelling persists. Stomach pain is also one of the common complaints associated with these attacks. If not treated in time, the swelling can cause diarrhea and dehydration as the body loses its fluids.

Swelling in the eyes
For many patients, this symptom can be difficult to associate with a HAE attack. Simply because there are multiple overlapping conditions and common eye infections that cause swelling in the eyes. Referred to as chemosis, this symptom results in swollen tissues that make up the lining of the eyes, affecting one or both eyeballs. However, angioedema is one of the top triggers of this symptom, not to be confused with any infection.

HAE attacks affecting the esophagus
One might also experience sudden, unexpected symptoms like difficulty breathing, tightening of the throat, and hoarseness that develop as a result of the voice box being constricted due to the swelling. A laryngeal HAE attack is a serious concern, and these symptoms should not be ignored as it can be fatal if left unchecked. Swelling can cut off the oxygen supply and result in suffocation, so immediate professional intervention is required to manage this symptom. It is absolutely time-sensitive to act promptly, especially for older patients.

Other symptoms to watch out
Changes in one’s mood, unexpected bouts of pain, muscle aches, fatigue that sets in without warning, and headaches are all symptoms that can simultaneously develop with hereditary angioedema. The severity of these symptoms varies depending on the underlying trigger factors like age, progression of the attack, and overall health of a person. No two patients will experience similar symptoms.