Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Angioedema (Easy to read)
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Happen only one time.
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Happen more than one time. It can also stop at any time.
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Keep coming back for a number of years. Someday it may stop.
What are the causes?
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Foods, such as milk, eggs, shellfish, wheat, or nuts.
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Medicines, such as ACE inhibitors, antibiotics, birth control pills, dyes used in X-rays or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen.
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Illness.
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Infection.
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Stress.
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Changes in hormones.
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Exercise.
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Minor surgery.
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Dental work.
In some cases, the cause of this condition may not be known.
What increases the risk?
You are more likely to have HAE if you have family members with this condition.
What are the signs or symptoms?
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Swollen skin.
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Itchy, red, swollen areas of skin.
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Pain, pressure, or tenderness in the affected area.
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Swollen eyelids, face, lips, or tongue.
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Trouble drinking, swallowing, or fully closing the mouth.
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Being hoarse or having a sore throat.
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Wheezing.
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Trouble breathing.
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Feel like vomiting.
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Have pain in your belly (abdomen).
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Vomit or have watery poop (diarrhea).
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Have trouble swallowing.
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Have trouble peeing.
How is this treated?
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To avoid things that cause attacks (triggers). These include foods or things that cause allergies.
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To stop medicines that cause the condition.
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To take medicines to treat the condition.
In very bad cases, a breathing tube or a machine that helps with breathing (ventilator) may be used.
Follow these instructions at home:
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Take all medicines only as told by your doctor.
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If you were given medicines to treat allergies, always carry them with you.
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Wear a medical bracelet as told by your doctor.
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Avoid the things that cause attacks. These may include:
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Foods.
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Things in your environment (such as pollen).
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Stress.
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Exercise.
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Avoid all medicines that caused the attacks.
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Talk to your doctor before you have kids. Some types of this condition may be passed from parent to child.
Where to find more information
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American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology: www.aaaai.org
Contact a doctor if:
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You have another attack.
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Your attacks happen more often, even after you take steps to prevent them.
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Your attacks are worse every time they occur.
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You are thinking about having kids.
Get help right away if:
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Your mouth, tongue, or lips get very swollen.
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Your swelling gets worse.
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You have trouble breathing or swallowing.
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You have trouble talking.
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You have chest pain.
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You feel dizzy.
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You feel light-headed.
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You faint.
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Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
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Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
Summary
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Angioedema is swelling in the body.
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Angioedema can be caused by the food you eat or the medicines you take.
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Avoid the things that cause your attacks. These can be food, medicines, or things in your environment.
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If you were given medicines for allergies, always carry them with you.
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Get help right away if your mouth, tongue, or lips get swollen. Also, get help right away if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
