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.
