Hereditary Angioedema

Hereditary angioedema is a rare and complex condition that requires lifelong care. At Denver Allergy & Asthma Associates, the medical providers offer comprehensive care plans for adults and children with hereditary angioedema. They prescribe medications to lower your risk for potentially life-threatening complications and continue to monitor your progress with treatment over time. Call the Lakewood, Arvada, Denver, Boulder, Littleton, or Westminster, Colorado, office to schedule a hereditary angioedema consultation for yourself or your child, or book an appointment online today. 

What is hereditary angioedema?

Hereditary angioedema is a rare inherited condition that causes recurrent episodes of swelling in the face, limbs, air passages, and other parts of the body.

Swelling episodes can result from minor stress or trauma but can also occur for no identifiable reason. Depending on what area of your body swells, you can experience various symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening.

Denver Allergy & Asthma Associates offers comprehensive care for adults and children with hereditary angioedema. The medical team provides physical exams and in-office testing to diagnose the condition. They also create a treatment plan to address your symptoms and lower your risk for complications.

What are the symptoms of hereditary angioedema?

Hereditary angioedema swelling typically starts in childhood and can worsen during puberty. You might experience an episode every one to two weeks, with each episode lasting three to four days. That said, the frequency of an episode can vary depending on the individual. 

In addition to swelling in your skin, you may develop hives and feel tingling sensations in the affected area. If your airways swell, you may experience difficulty breathing. Without treatment, breathing issues can become life-threatening.

If you or your child have symptoms of hereditary angioedema, the Denver Allergy & Asthma Associates team completes a physical exam. They may also order blood tests to confirm or rule out hereditary angioedema and other conditions.

How is hereditary angioedema treated?

Because angioedema is a lifelong condition, the Denver Allergy & Asthma Associates team provides resources to help you manage it long-term. Treatment aims to prevent swelling episodes and ease any existing symptoms.

The team can prescribe medications to lower your risk for symptom flare-ups. They also help you identify the triggers like stress, anxiety, and acute illnesses that can increase the likelihood of a hereditary angioedema attack.

You can expect to schedule routine follow-up visits with the providers, so they can ensure your treatment is working. Your provider may also suggest that you keep a journal to document attacks as they happen.

Call the Denver Allergy & Asthma Associates office near you to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of hereditary angioedema, or book an appointment online today.