What is angioedema?
Angioedema is swelling of your face, lips, tongue, and throat. It is often caused by an allergic reaction Overview of Allergic Reactions The immune system is your body's defense system. It helps protect you from illness and infection. The immune system usually reacts to and attacks bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. An allergy... read more .
Go to the emergency room if you have swelling of your face or throat.
What causes angioedema?
Angioedema may be your body’s reaction to:
Angioedema may be caused by another health problem. It can also run in your family (hereditary angioedema
Hereditary and Acquired Angioedema
Hereditary angioedema (a genetic disorder) and acquired angioedema (acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency) are caused by a deficiency or malfunction of C1 inhibitor, which is part of the immune system...
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).
What are the symptoms of angioedema?
How can doctors tell if I have angioedema?
How do doctors treat angioedema?
The most important thing is to keep your breathing passages open. If you're having trouble breathing, doctors may:
Other treatments depend on what doctors think caused your angioedema. Doctors may give you:
If you have hereditary angioedema, there are special medicines doctors may give you by vein (IV).
Avoiding the cause of your angioedema can help prevent it in the future. If you have a severe reaction, you should always carry a shot of epinephrine and antihistamine pills with you to take in case you start to have another reaction. Then go to a hospital emergency room in case you need more treatment.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
epinephrine |
ADRENALIN |
