Ask the Expert

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 Perspective

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

Ask the Expert

HAE expert is here to answer your questions about the disease.

Please note that not all questions submitted in the Ask the Expert feature of the HAE Hope website will be answered. The information contained on this website is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions regarding your medical condition, seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of information found on this website.

Do you want to ask a question?
Sign in now!

Not a member of HAE Hope?
Register now!

Attacks

Question: My dentist says I need a root canal - should I put it off? I'm afraid it will trigger an HAE attack.

A lot of HAE patients put off surgery or dental treatments because they're afraid it may trigger an attack. Talk with your doctor - there are treatments available that you can take short-term, before a procedure, to help prevent an attack.

Diagnosing HAE

Question: HAE runs in my family, and I've had swelling in my hands recently. Is there a way to know for sure if I have the disease?

Any doctor can perform a test to check your C4 level. C4 is a protein that is part of the body's complement system, a group of proteins that move through your bloodstream. They work with your immune system and play a role in the development of inflammation. If your C4 level is normal during an attack, that basically rules out HAE. If your C4 level is abnormal, you should see an HAE specialist.

Parenting

Question: I have HAE and recently got married. My husband and I would like to have children; will our children have the disease?

Not necessarily. If one parent has HAE, there is a 50% likelihood that his or her child will have the disease, too. Most diseases are recessive - that means that you need 2 "bad" copies of the gene for the disease, one from each parent, for the child to develop that disease. But HAE is what's known as an autosomal dominant disease — you only need one "good" and one "bad" gene for that child to have the disease.

Andrew J. MacGinnitie, MD, PhD

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?