HAE Attacks

ACE Inhibitor: Class of medicines used to treat high blood pressure and other diseases.
Anabolic steroid: Also referred to as attenuated androgen, a class of steroid hormones used to prevent HAE attacks. Although their mechanism of action in HAE patients is unknown, these agents are believed to partially reverse the biochemical defect by increasing levels of C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), helping to prevent angioedema attacks in patients with inherited C1-INH deficiency.
Antifibrolytic agent: Medicines used to prevent HAE attacks. These agents inhibit the activation of plasmin, a chemical in the blood that can make the C1-INH less effective.
Attenuated androgen: Also referred to as anabolic steroid, a class of steroid hormones used to prevent HAE attacks. Although their mechanism of action in HAE patients is unknown, these agents are believed to partially reverse the biochemical defect by increasing levels of C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), helping to prevent angioedema attacks in patients with inherited C1-INH deficiency.
Bradykinin: A protein that causes blood vessels to expand (dilate) and leak serum and other fluids.
C1 inhibitor: Also referred to as C1-INH, a protein found in the fluid part of your blood that controls C1, a component of your body's complement system. Abnormal swelling can result when C1-INH is insufficient or defective.
C1-INH: Also referred to as C1 inhibitor, a protein found in the fluid part of your blood that controls C1, a component of your body's complement system. Abnormal swelling can result when C1-INH is insufficient or defective.
Complement system: The complement system is made up of proteins like C1 that float in your bloodstream, which work with the immune system to fight organisms like bacteria, viruses and parasites.
Drug formulary: A list of prescription medications selected for coverage under a health insurance plan.
HAE: HAE, or Hereditary Angioedema, is a rare, hereditary disease of the immune system that affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000 adults and children globally. HAE causes attacks of spontaneous swelling that are often painful and severe, and can be life-threatening.
Hereditary Angioedema: A rare, hereditary disease of the immune system that affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000 adults and children globally. Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) causes attacks of spontaneous swelling that are often painful and severe, and can be life-threatening.
Laryngeal attack: An HAE attack that affects the larynx (throat); this can block or close the airway, leading to difficulty breathing and, potentially, death.
Plasma kallikrein: A chemical in the bloodstream that is involved in blood clotting; it plays an important role in causing the swelling of HAE attacks.
Preventive therapy: In HAE, medicine taken to prevent attacks.
Prodrome: One or more physical warnings of an HAE attack; can appear as a rash or a feeling of skin tightness.
Serum: The clear, watery, fluid-component of blood that resembles fluid in a blister.
Subcutaneous: Beneath the skin.
Trigger: In HAE, something that causes an attack. Stress and trauma are two common HAE attack triggers.

SIGN IN|CONTACT US|GLOSSARY|RESOURCES

|

Header: HAE Attacks

Welcome to HAE Hope

About HAE

HAE Attacks

Treating HAE

Living With HAE

HAE Perspectives
- Ask the Expert
- Community Tips

Site Registration

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Site Map

Edit Your Profile

Logout

HAE Attacks

If you have HAE, you may have started experiencing symptoms around puberty, but the swelling begins earlier in some patients. Patients with HAE typically continue to have attacks of angioedema throughout their lives, although some may find their symptoms occur less frequently as they age.

On average, untreated HAE patients have attacks (or symptom flare-ups) every 7-14 days or greater than 20 attacks per year, each generally lasting 2 to 5 days before resolving on its own.

HAE attacks are unpredictable and can happen anywhere on the body, but they tend to affect the:

Face, genitals, hands and feet: These attacks can be uncomfortable and disfiguring.
Abdomen: Attacks in the abdomen are extremely painful and often lead to nausea and vomiting.
Larynx (throat): Although this is the least common location for an attack, it is the most dangerous because it can block a person's breathing.

All types of HAE attacks can affect your activities and daily life. In this section, you'll learn about HAE attacks, including:

Common Triggers
Some patients can identify triggers for their attacks.

Symptoms
Learn to recognize the symptoms of the disease.

Pathophysiology of Acute HAE Attacks
Learn what happens during an acute HAE attack.

HAE Emergencies
Know the signs of an HAE emergency and what you should do about it.

Sign up for our email newsletter and get informed of the latest HAE news.

sign up now

PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE | SITEMAP | Home | About HAE | HAE Attacks | Treating HAE | Living with HAE | HAE Perspectives | Register | Contact Us

© Dyax Corp. 2010. All rights reserved

You are now leaving HAEHope.com.
The web site you are about to visit is neither owned nor controlled by Dyax Corp. Dyax Corp. is not responsible for the content, products or services on this site.

Do you wish to continue?