Facts You Must Know About Angioedema?

Today’s post has nothing but some very valuable facts about angioedema, that are not very commonly known. These particulars are not only helpful in avoiding angioedema but also they will be handy for treating angioedema suitably.

Angioedema is different from urticaria or hives. Hives are the red itchy rashes while angioedema is usually a painless swelling deep inside the skin. Angioedema is the most perilous skin problem and it can be deadly. The swelling usually occurs around the eyes or lips known as facial angioedema, but any part of the body can be affected including the hands, arms, tongue, throat or internal organs.

It can be acquired or a hereditary problem, just like hives. Moreover, it can be acute which usually disappears within a few hours after the outbreak or chronic which stays for a longer period. As it can be deadly, consult a doctor as soon as you see the symptoms.

Next post in two days, will be revealing some undisclosed tips for managing angioedema, do not miss it.

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Myths about Angioedema Revealed – A Must-Read for Angioedema Sufferers?

Myths or misconception about a disease can be a great drawback. Not knowing the actual course of action for managing a disease, can mislead you and even backfire. This blog can be a great help for those who are confused while treating angioedema.

Unlike most people think, angioedema is not a subtype of hives (urticaria) and usually it has no association with lupus. As some would say, idiopathic angioedema treatment is not impossible, however it can be difficult.

Angioedema symptoms can be pretty similar to those of acute abdomen so before any surgery make sure a proper diagnosis has been carried out by a qualified doctor. Every swelling does not mean you have angioedema, sorting out the causes or blood and urine tests are helpful in diagnosis.

What facts are important for an angioedema patient to learn? For the answer, read my next post after two days.

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Is Treating Angioedema Possible?

There are many myths about treating angioedema even in this age of modern medical science. The reason is the lack of awareness about this uncommon skin problem. However, learning about angioedema is as important as learning about leukemia or heart disease, because just like them angioedema can also be deadly.

Treating angioedema can be a little tricky but it is not impossible. A proper diagnosis at the early stages can be a great help for the patient. In many cases you can cure your problem by avoiding the causes and triggers.

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Treating angioedema is not as thorny as some people would tell you. The typical treatment is based on the type of angioedema you are suffering from i.e. hereditary angioedema treatment is different from acquired angioedema treatment.

The most difficult of all to handle is idiopathic angioedema, as the causes are unknown. However, you don’t need to lose hope as it is not impossible. You can have an allergy test by a professional doctor. Urine and blood tests can find whether you are infected with angioedema or not. If the results of these tests are positive, certain therapies or antihistamines intake can be opted for treating angioedema.

Acquired angioedema is relatively easier especially if the diagnosis is prompt. Epinephrine has proved to be a life-saving drug in case of acquired angioedema. Furthermore, antifibrinolytics such as tranexamic acid, hereditary angioedema types I and II, and non-histaminergic angioedema may be beneficial. Cinnarizine drug has also been proven to be useful especially in patients with liver problems, as it blocks the formation of C4.

On the other hand, hereditary angioedema treatment is more difficult. In hereditary angioedema, causes and triggers must be avoided as in most of the cases it does not respond to epinephrine, antihistamines, or corticosteroids.

When treating angioedema, the most fine-tuned treatment involves C1-INH concentrate from donor blood, which must be administered under expert authority. In many European countries C1-INH concentrate is not commonly available, therefore, fresh frozen blood plasma, which also contains C1-INH, can also be used as an alternative.

As in case of autoimmune causes angioedema is caused by the histamine release therefore, Histamine H1 antagonists counter the effect of histamine and its response in the sensory nerve endings and the blood vessels. These antihistamines are more effectual in stopping histamine response than in reversing it i.e. they are not much useful if histamine reaction has already taken place.

Valuable tips for patients With Pressure Angioedema & Thyroid Angioedema?

People suffering from pressure angioedema or thyroid angioedema know how it can turn their lives into a complete mess. Swelling, itchiness and pain are accompanied by an unwanted appearance which adds to their misery.

Let me define these two terms for:

Pressure angioedema is typically caused by sudden extreme localized pressure applied on to the skin. Certain skin problems that are connected with your thyroid gland and the hormones released by it are pretty similar to angioedema and many people refer to them as thyroid angioedema.

But just knowing the definition may not be enough if you want to get rid of your skin disease. You need to learn more about pressure angioedema & thyroid angioedema.

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This article will give you the details of two uncommon types of angioedema: pressure angioedema and thyroid angioedema. For easier and better understanding I am dividing this article into two virtual parts: the first one explains pressure angioedema and the second one is about thyroid angioedema.

Pressure angioedema is typically caused by sudden extreme localized pressure applied on to the skin. The most obvious symptom is swelling on the affected area but in some cases the effects are deep inside. In some extreme cases the pain persists much longer and may be accompanied by other severe symptoms including low fever, chills, fatigue, joint and muscle aches, and/or headaches. If this is the case with you, you must consult a doctor for a reliableangioedema treatment.

There can be various diverse scenarios where pressure angioedema may occur, but it outbreak commonly after the patient’s skin has been under extreme pressure e.g. it can appear on the individual’s feet after standing on a hard floor or on the buttocks after sitting constantly for an extended period of time.

Certain drugs e.g. Aspirin can also trigger pressure angioedema in the people who are prone to it. The pressure can be from different mechanical tools, tight clothing, carrying heavy items etc. If you are prone to it, you must avoid the factors and activities that can trigger pressure angioedema. You should consult a qualified dermatologist to find out the causes of your specific problem. The patient may consume systemic corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, however, they produce variable responses in different cases.

Thyroid is the largest gland in human body present in your neck. Certain skin problems that are connected with your thyroid gland and the hormones released by it are pretty similar to angioedema and many people refer to them as thyroid angioedema. Some disorders in the thyroid gland can cause release of hormones from the thyroid which may result in angioedema or hives.

Treating Neuro Angioedema & Orolingual Angioedema?

Two more types of angioedema you need to know about are neuro angioedema and orolingual angioedema. Neuro angioedema is pretty rare while orolingual angioedema is  more common and more hazardous as well.

As you can tell from its name, neuro angioedema, certain neurological disorders can result in the development of angioedema. Orolingual angioedema causes the mouth, tongue or lips to swell which looks pretty horrific and also can cause suffocation which may be deadly. Both of them have classified treatment, however a proper diagnosis is mandatory.

If you want to read more about neuro angioedema or orolingual angioedema, read here for a detailed guide.

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Neuro angioedema is an extremely rare type of angioedema found in only a few cases whereas orolingual angioedema,  sometimes also referred to as facial angioedema, is relatively more common. For better understanding, this guide is divided into two parts: first one describes neuro angioedema and second one entails orolingual angioedema.

Neurology is a branch of medical science which deals with the nervous system and its disorders. Certain such disorders can cause angioedema which is called neuro angioedema. As it is found very rarely, not much people know about it.

A proper ant timely diagnosis for neuro angioedema is mandatory by having the lesion biopsied and microscopically examined. The treatment varies case to case, however the underlying infection should be treated first with antibiotics. The infection can cause certain other disorders in the mouth, in this case consult an ENT specialist for biopsy.

Orolingual angioedema, as evident from its name, can be characterized by the extreme swelling that occurs in the mouth, on the tongue or lips. In some rare cases uvula can also get swelled up. One of the causes is thrombolysis with alteplase especially in stroke patients. While in some other cases ACE inhibitor therapy can be the culprit. ACE inhibitor therapy increases the chances of orolingual angioedema if the individual is a stroke patient.

The swelling does not only disable the person from speaking but can also cause difficulty in breathing, especially if it progresses rapidly. Such cases should be treated in the ED (emergency department), under the supervision of expert doctors. Swelling can result in upper airway compromise and can be deadly.

The most common treatments involve the intake of dexamethasone and histamine antagonist. Epinephrine is also a great success when treating most types of acquired angioedema .However, as it can be a deadly ailment, consulting a qualified doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment is recommended.

Little Known Tips for Managing Angioedema Simply?

My regular readers know I always give some interesting tips for helping certain diseases. Today’s post has similar tips about angioedema and idiopathic angioedema. However, never rely merely on this advice because they are not a permanent fix, they are simply to aid your treatment and reduce the pain or suffering caused by the disease.

The first thing to learn is that angioedema, also called Quincke edema, can be life threatening. Symptoms of angioedema include swelling, usually painless, on any part of the body, vomiting, abdominal pain without any obvious reason, cramps and hydration.

If you have any of these symptoms, do not waste a single minute in consulting a doctor. If the swelling is painful or scorching, cool down the affected area with an ice pack or cloth dipped in cold water. Expose the affected area to sunlight and fresh air. Avoid the allergens and triggering factors, if you are allergic to certain foods try a food elimination technique. It might be time consuming but can be very helpful.

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Important facts about Idiopathic Angioedema and Idiopathic Urticaria Angioedema?

No doubt angioedema can be a real nuisance, but the most annoying form of angioedema is idiopathic urticaria angioedema or idiopathic angioedema because it has no known cause. However, don’t worry as this article will help you a great deal in understanding the situation and how you can cope with it.

Idiopathic angioedema treatment is more difficult to deal with because the cause is unknown. In more common cases a standard skin tests can reveal the culprit allergen.

The most commonly used drug, Epinephrine, has been a great success in cases of acquired angioedema treatment, but in hereditary angioedema the results may vary. There are several other drugs available for a patient with angioedema, but when it comes to the idiopathic form, you need to consult a qualified doctor.

You can read more about Idiopathic Angioedema and Idiopathic Urticaria Angioedema, by reading here.

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The most annoying form of angioedema is idiopathic urticaria angioedema or idiopathic angioedema as it occurs due to unknown causes. However, need worry not as this article will help you a great deal in understanding the situation and how you can cope with it. For a better understanding, let us understand the terms first separately: idiopathic urticaria angioedema.

Idiopathic means relating to, or designating a disease having no known cause. Urticaria is a skin rash characterized by occurring of red wheals, in response to allergic or non-allergic factors, which are usually itchy in nature. Angioedema is rapid swelling of skin, usually around lips and eyes, in response to allergic as well as non-allergic causes. So idiopathic angioedema is a type of angioedema with no known causes.

Idiopathic Angioedema Treatment

Idiopathic angioedema treatment is more difficult due to the fact that actual cause of the disease is unknown. In some cases standard skin tests can reveal the allergen, however, this method is hardly ever successful as the cause are often deep rooted.

As allergens or triggers can be a certain type of food, so a practicable approach is an elimination diet, however it is a long and time taking process. It is based on the exclusion of certain type of food or product from the everyday menu of the patient and see the response and this process is repeated with other food items.

The reasons for idiopathic angioedema are disreputably hard to identify because different kind of allergens are all around us, in the air we breathe in, in the water we drink. Certain seasons or climates may also be a factor.

Epinephrine has been a great success in case of acquired angioedema treatment, but in hereditary angioedema results may vary. Furthermore, in acquired angioedema antifibrinolytics such as tranexamic acid, hereditary angioedema types I and II, and non-histaminergic angioedema may be of use.

Certain therapies e.g. airway management can also be practices. Common patients not very sever conditions can be treated the same way as those of allergic angioedema. However, sever cases require intake of epinephrine, H1 and H2 blockers, and steroids in addition to the intake of antihistamines.

Understanding Hives Angioedema?

Hives angioedema, though two completely different skin problems are very closely related to each other. Hives is a skin problem characterized by pale or pink raised wheals which sometimes are surrounded by a red halo and usually are itchy in nature.

Angioedema is a skin problem characterized by the rapid swelling of large areas of dermis or tissues just below the skin. It is not itchy in nature but the patient may feel a burning sensation.

Any of these two problems can cause extreme distress,  but having both of these at once can make life very difficult for the patient.  If you are having this problem, you need to get treatment from a doctor promptly.

Want to read more about hives angioedema? Read here.

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Hives, Angioedema; these two have a close association and sometimes are similar in appearance as well. Their evaluation and management, and the triggers are also pretty much the same. For better understanding of hives angioedema, let me define these two terms separately for you.

Hives is a skin problem characterized by the pale or pink raised swellings (welts) which sometimes are surrounded by a red halo and usually are itchy in nature. It is called urticaria in medical language so instead of hives angioedema we can also say urticaria angioedema. They can appear on any part of the body due to allergic as well as non-allergic causes. Acute hives vanish themselves within a few hours after their outbreak whereas the chronic hives may last up to years.

Angioedema is a skin problem characterized by the rapid swelling of large areas of dermis or tissues just below the skin. It is not itchy in nature but the patient may feel a burning sensation in the affected area. The swelling may occur anywhere but typically it is found around the eyes and lips. If the tongue and throat get swelled up, you should instantly consult a doctor as it can block the upper airway and can be life threatening.

There are some common triggers that may result in the outbreak of either hives or angioedema. These triggers include certain allergies (e.g. food allergy, pollen allergy), insect bites (e.g. a wasp or ladybug), autoimmune reactions and physical triggers (e.g. extreme temperature).

Hives and Angioedema

If hives and angioedema occur together they can create a great nuisance and can be severe. In most of the cases, angioedema and hives are undamaging and don not leave any permanent marks on the skin, sometimes you even do not need any treatment. On the other hand there are some severe cases which need to be treated as medical emergency. The most frequently opted for common treatment for both hives and angioedema is the ingestion of certain antihistamines which counter the effect of histamine release.

How to Manage Hereditary Angioedema Attacks and What is ACEI Induced Angioedema?

People suffering from angioedema want to know more about it and it’s certain subtypes. Many of them are searching for information about hereditary angioedema attacks and ACEI induced angioedema which is also called ACE inhibitor induced angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema occurs due the deficiency of C1 inhibitors and it passes down the family. Actually, hereditary angioedema attacks are recurrent episodes of pain that can make your life misery. On the other hand ACEI induced angioedema is caused by a diverse side effect of ACE inhibitor therapy. If you are developing the symptoms of angioedema during your therapy, an immediate withdrawal of the therapy must be followed by alternate drugs to control the situation.

Want to learn more about hereditary angioedema & ACEI angioedema? Read here.

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This article explains the basic details of hereditary angioedema attacks and ACEI induced angioedema (also called ACE inhibitor induced angioedema). For better understanding, the article is divided in two parts: the first one explains hereditary angioedema attacks whereas the second one entails ACEI induced angioedema. The major symptom of angioedema is the swelling caused which usually occurs on eyes and lips. This is why that sometimes it is also called facial angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema attacks are usually recurrent episodes of pain without any known or obvious cause. These attacks can be severely painful and disabling. These attacks typically cause severe abdominal pain and cramping in the abdomen. The symptoms are pretty much similar to these of acute abdomen hence can lead to an unnecessary keyhole or abdominal surgery.

The common and obvious sign of hereditary angioedema is swelling, that develops rapidly on the eyes, lips, tongue and sometimes throat. However, it is not limited to these areas, and can also be affect hands, feet, genitals etc. But in some cases the attacks of abdominal pain can be the sole symptom. Urticaria (hives) may also develop along with it. Severe swelling in the throat or tongue can cause blockage in the upper airway and even suffocation. The patient must avoid the triggering factors and proper diagnosis should be carried out before any treatment.

ACEI induced angioedema is bradykinin-mediated, just like in case of hereditary angioedema as well as acquired angioedema. It is outbreaks as an adverse effect of ACE inhibitor therapy. Thought it is very uncommon yet it can be life threatening and must be avoided. It symptoms can appear within a few weeks of months of the therapy however in most of the cases it takes years to appear. Black people are more prone to this disease as compared tow whites. If any symptom observed, an immediate withdrawal of ACE inhibitor is required which must be followed by long term alternate therapy with different drugs to keep hypertension and heart failure under control.

Common Hereditary Angioedema Symptoms, which are helpful in Angioedema Diagnosis?

Today I am about to tell you  the symptoms of one of the most feared skin problems, hereditary angioedema symptoms. These symptoms are of great use in angioedema diagnosis and treatment.

The most common symptoms of hereditary angioedema besides swelling, are abdominal pain caused by swelling in the stomach and bowel, vomiting, swelling of legs, abdominal pain, cramps, and dehydration. If you experience swelling accompanied by any of these symptoms, you should promptly consult a qualified doctor for proper angioedema diagnosis and treatment.

Do you want to read more about hereditary angioedema symptoms, angioedema diagnosis? Read here and read the detailed article.

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Certain hereditary angioedema symptoms can help when you are visiting the doctor for angioedema diagnosis. All this really makes the treatment and management of your skin problem easy. The rest of the article describes how this symptoms â& diagnosis phenomenon works.

Hereditary angioedema, a rare but extremely dangerous disease, passes down the families and can be life taking. Here are certain hereditary angioedema symptoms for your knowledge, but it is recommended that you should consult a professional for proper diagnosis and clear-cut hereditary angioedema treatment.

The most common symptom of hereditary angioedema is swelling around the lips, eyes hands, feet, tongue and throat. Another common symptom is abdominal pain caused by swelling in the stomach and bowel. In some cases swelling of the bladder or urethra has also been reported. Other common symptoms include swelling of the tongue and throat, vomiting, swelling of legs, abdominal pain and cramps, and dehydration.

Sometimes, the intestines of the patient may also swell up causing cramping and sever pain. Another not very common symptom for hereditary angioedema is the outbreak of hives (urticaria) on certain parts of the body. In severer cases airway blockage and hoarseness is also observed. Remember, angioedema swelling is not itchy but it may cause a burning sensation.

Now let us discuss the details of angioedema diagnosis. When you visit a doctor for diagnosis he/she will examine your skin to check if there is any swelling and ask you if you have been exposed to any allergies or other irritating substances which may trigger angioedema.

Urine and blood test may also be considered during the diagnosis. In people prone to allergies, allergy testing is also carried out. The most obvious sign of angioedema is the deficiency of C1-Inhibitor. A proper diagnosis is very important for the future management of this unwanted lethal skin problem.

About Angioedema and Related Conditions?

Angioedema is characterized by swelling around different parts of the body, usually on the face around the eyes and lips. The swelling is usually painless but angioedema, especially hereditary angioedema (HAE) can be fatal. Therefore a timely diagnosis and proper angioedema treatment should be carried out.

Angioedema has urticaria (hives) as the most common related condition. Hives are the red itchy wheals that can erupt anywhere on the body. However, there are certain other disorders that may also occur in relation to angioedema including abdominal pain which usually resembles acute abdomen, vomiting and cramping in the belly.

High blood pressure is also expected in severe cases. Angioedema swelling can occur anywhere but it can cause upper airway compromise, which can be deadly and must be treated as medical emergency.

Make sure you do not miss my next post in a week about angioedema pathophysiology ,which will have excellent information, for those who are suffering from this deadly disease.

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What Are The Four Most Important Points To Consider When Managing Angioedema?

Individuals suffering from angioedema, especially hereditary angioedema (HAE) are mostly desperate and scared. Angioedema treatment can be an extended and agonizing experience and sometime the pain can cross the persons limits.

The following four points can be a true blessing for the sufferers.

i) Learn what are the main causes and triggers which play a role in the outbreak of angioedema and avoid them.
ii) Make a list of offending stimuli, allergens or foods that can cause allergies, eggs, nuts, wheat, dairy products etc. and avoid them.
iii) Unnecessarily touching or rubbing the rashes can cause the swelling to increase the pain, therefore must be avoided.
iv) Any form of angioedema must be given serious attention, however, if the swelling causes a danger of upper airway compromise, the case should be treated as a medical emergency.

Do not forget to read about invaluable angioedema and related conditions in my post next week.

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It is good to know about HAE Angioedema or Hereditary Angioedema HAE?

Well, it is quite difficult to tell whether hereditary angioedema has more diverse effects or more names. It is called HAE, HAE angioedema, hereditary angioedema HAE and the list goes on and one. Whatever you call it, it can make your life a misery or even take your life!

HAE angioedema passes down in families and can be characterized by the swelling on the lips, eyes, tongue or throat.

Acquired angioedema might be a milder form of the disease but hereditary angioedema needs serious medical attention.You should also educate yourself as much as possible about this disease.

If you want to read more about hereditary angioedema HAE, read here.

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HAE angioedema is the ellipsis for hereditary angioedema HAE. This is the most lethal and feared form of the angioedema not only as it passes down the families but it has a higher mortality rate as compared to its counterpart i.e. acquired angioedema. Last but by no means the least; hereditary angioedema treatment is also a lot thornier than any of its other form. In the rest of the article I will describe the details of this skin problem and how you can manage it.

Angioedema is a rapid swelling of skin possibly due allergic as well as non-allergic causes. If this disease is a familial problem and has been progressing in your family, then it is called hereditary angioedema (HAE) or familial angioedema. It is an extremely rare auto-somal dominant disorder of C1 inhibitor i.e. C1-INH, deficiency manifested by painless swelling.

The most common and obvious symptom of hereditary angioedema is swelling, which can develop abruptly on the eyes, lips, tongue and throat. However, it is not limited to these areas only, and any other part of the body can also be affected e.g. hands and feet. Urticaria (hives) may also develop along with it. Swelling in the throat or tongue can cause blockage in the upper airway. This may result in difficulty in breathing and even suffocation.

As symptoms of hereditary angioedema HAE diagnosis resemble those of other common disorders, it can go on for a long time without being detected. Its diagnosis is typically made on the clinical picture and routine blood tests are performed. The tryptase levels of mast cell may be lofty if the attack was due to an acute allergic reaction.

As said earlier, hereditary angioedema treatments are more difficult and need serious medical attention. You may have an allergy test with the professional. You may also get urine and blood tested in order to find, whether you are infected with angioedema or not. If the results are positive, it can be cured with certain therapies or antihistamines. If you experience difficulty in breathing, try to go in open air and breathe slowly and consult a doctor. The foremost thing is avoiding any other drugs when you are infected with HAE angioedema.

How to avoid Cold Angioedema & Angioedema Allergies?

If your grandma told you to cover your body properly in winter then she was absolutely right! If you do not, you have the danger of falling a victim to cold angioedema. Another disease I am going to discuss today is angioedema allergies.

Cold angioedema, sometimes also referred to as cold induced angioedema, is a subtype of physical induced angioedema and is caused by extremely cold stimulus. Angioedema allergies can occur in response to diverse allergens including certain drugs, foods, pollen and more.

If you are looking for more valuable information about cold angioedema or angioedema allergies, read here to read my detailed guide.

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This article explains Cold Angioedema and some common Angioedema Allergies. To make it simple for you I am dividing this article into two virtual parts: the first one explains cold angioedema and the second one is about most commonly found Angioedema Allergies and how they can affect you. In the end there are some valuable tips for idiopathic angioedema treatment.

Cold angioedema, sometimes also referred to as cold induced angioedema, is a subtype of physical induced angioedema and just like its other co-subtypes; it is also caused by a physical agent i.e. cold. Recent reports have revealed that cold angioedema has a close association with paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, cryofibrinogenemia, and also cold agglutinin disease. If you are suffering from cold angioedema and it is accompanied by any of the previously mentioned disease, you should consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Most of the angioedema allergies occur in response to different allergens. People, especially with hereditary angioedema, need to avoid these allergens but unluckily this is not an easy job to do. The reason is that allergens are present all around us, in the air we breathe in, the water we drink etc. However, taking certain precautionary measures can help reduce the chances of its occurrence.

There are many drugs e.g. Beta blockers, ACE-inhibitors Aspirin and NSAIDs and many food items e.g. wheat, eggs, peanuts can also act as allergen and trigger angioedema allergies. These drugs should be avoided as much as possible by the patient and a comprehensive list can be prepared with the help of a professional doctor.

Idiopathic Angioedema Treatment

Though idiopathic angioedema treatment is a tough row to hoe yet certain therapies e.g. airway management, certain drugs i.e. antihistamines can help. The first thing to do is have all the necessary tests and avoid all the allergens and triggers.

Patients who do not have severe conditions can be treated the same way as those of allergic angioedema. However, severe cases require intake of epinephrine, H1 and H2 blockers, and steroids in addition to the intake of antihistamines. Epinephrine has been a great success in case of acquired angioedema treatment, but in hereditary angioedema results may vary.

Understanding Chronic Angioedema & Allergic Angioedema?

Chronic diseases can be difficult to deal with due to their persisting nature. The same is true with chronic angioedema. Although allergic angioedema may not last long,  it can also be a great bother because of its pain and the lumps on your face.

Chronic angioedema, a common form of angioedema, is recurring in nature and usually stays around for more than six weeks and reappears twice a week.

Allergic angioedema typically occurs in response to several allergies including pollen allergy, skin allergy or even a food allergy.

Your only way out is to learn more about these two diseases and  then you can cope with them.

My detailed guide has everything you need to learn about Chronic Angioedema and Allergic Angioedema, Read here to read.

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This article describes two extremely troublesome subtypes of angioedema: Chronic angioedema and allergic angioedema. For a better and simpler understanding I will divide this guide into two parts: first one explaining chronic and second allergic angioedema.

The simplest definition of angioedema, would be that at best it is a painful, ugly looking swelling lasting up to a few hours and at worst it can be a lethal disease. It is characterized by the rapid swelling of dermis and is similar in many ways to hives however it is a different disease. In some cases these do diseases may coexists and overlaps as well.

Recurring angioedema or chronic angioedema, a common form of angioedema, will keep haunting you i.e. it usually stays for more than six weeks and reappears twice a week. Usually the causes of chronic angioedema are idiopathic i.e. unknown, even after extensive testing by the doctor i.e. in case of Idiopathic Urticaria Angioedema.

Chronic angioedema is characterized by the rapid swelling that usually occurs around eyes or lips and keeps recurring. However, in severe cases the tongue and throat of the patient may also get swelled up. This can result in the blockage of upper airway and cause suffocation, therefore, should be treated as a medical emergency.

Allergic angioedema occurs in response to several allergies including pollen allergy, skin allergy or even food allergy. People with hereditary or chronic angioedema need to avoid these allergies but unluckily this is not an easy job. The reason is that allergens are present all around us, in the air we breathe in, the water we drink etc.

Certain drugs e.g. Beta blockers, ACE-inhibitors Aspirin and NSAIDs and many food items e.g. wheat, eggs, peanuts can also act as allergen. These drugs must be avoided by the patient and a comprehensive list can be prepared with the help of a professional doctor. Food elimination i.e. avoiding certain type of foods and then monitoring the results, then repeating this routine with other types of foods can be a great help but it is a time consuming practice.