One is to educate the patient on potential things which may start an attack. Such things may include trauma, medications such as estrogen replacement or oral contraceptives or some blood pressure medications called ACE-inhibitors, infections, and surgery, especially dental work.
For surgery, we ask the patients to either have fresh frozen plasma prior to the surgery, or to obtain one of the study medications, such as C1INH. Patients also can take steroids called anabolic androgens. They work by increasing the liver's production of C1INH.
The problem with these medications is that they have a lot of side effects, such as weight gain, hair growth on the face, liver abnormalities and rarely the development of liver cancer, menstrual irregularities, and increases in cholesterol. They can not be used in children and women who are pregnant.
As with any unexplained symptoms, it is best to talk with your doctor. If you are having symptoms of unexplained swelling or abdominal pains it may be a good idea to see and allergist or immunologist to see if you have HAE.
- Font size
- Email This
- Bookmark
- Thank you for your input
- Save
- RSS
- Report Abuse
