Treatment for HAE
The level of severity of HAE symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient, and at different stages in life, so it is important that an individual treatment plan is developed for each patient according to their particular situation.
At present there is no ‘cure’ for HAE, but it is possible to achieve good management of your symptoms so that you can have a good quality of life.
Strategies for managing HAE
- Avoidance of precipitating factors
- Treatment of acute attacks
- Prevention
There are medications available for HAE patients, see Treatment of acute attacks page.
Precipitating factors
Many attacks have no obvious triggers. However the following things are potential triggers for HAE attacks:
- Infected teeth and other foci of infection
- H. pylori (a bacteria that can be present in the stomach)
- Dental treatments
- Minor trauma
- Intubation for anaesthetics
- Hormone changes
- Puberty
- Contraceptives containing oestrogens
- Pregnancy
- Hormone replacement therapy
- ACE inhibitors (used to treat blood pressure or heart conditions).
- Physical or psychological stress