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An HAE attack may cause the hands, feet, belly, face, genitals, or throat to swell

During an attack, people with HAE may experience many challenges

Click the hotspots to see how HAE affects each part of the body or show all.

Tap the hotspots to see how HAE affects each part of the body.

Throat/Airway

  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing voice
  • Choking and fear of death from being unable to breathe

Face

  • Problems speaking clearly
  • Poor vision from swollen eyes
  • Swells may cause fear and shame

Hands

  • Unable to hold objects (phone, pen, or glass/cup)
  • Difficulty texting or typing
  • Compromised ability to administer acute HAE treatment

Belly

  • Mild to severe belly pain with vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Clothing that doesn’t fit or is uncomfortable to wear

Feet

  • Difficulty walking or running
  • Trouble fitting into shoes

Genitals

  • More frequent attacks during periods, giving birth through C-section, and breastfeeding
  • Limits to estrogen-based birth control
  • Potential attacks during childbirth
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During an attack, people with HAE may experience many challenges

Face

  • Problems speaking clearly
  • Poor vision from swollen eyes
  • Swells may cause fear and shame

Throat/Airway

  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing voice
  • Choking and fear of death from being unable to breathe

Belly

  • Mild to severe belly pain with vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Clothing that doesn’t fit or is uncomfortable to wear

Genitals

  • More frequent attacks during periods, giving birth through C-section, and breastfeeding
  • Limits to estrogen-based birth control
  • Potential attacks during childbirth

Hands

  • Unable to hold objects (phone, pen, or glass/cup)
  • Difficulty texting or typing
  • Compromised ability to administer acute HAE treatment

Feet

  • Difficulty walking or running
  • Trouble fitting into shoes

During an attack, people with HAE may experience many challenges

Face

  • Problems speaking clearly
  • Poor vision from swollen eyes
  • Swells may cause fear and shame

Throat/Airway

  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing voice
  • Choking and fear of death from being unable to breathe

Belly

  • Mild to severe belly pain with vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Clothing that doesn’t fit or is uncomfortable to wear

Genitals

  • More frequent attacks during periods, giving birth through C-section, and breastfeeding
  • Limits to estrogen-based birth control
  • Potential attacks during childbirth

Hands

  • Unable to hold objects (phone, pen, or glass/cup)
  • Difficulty texting or typing
  • Compromised ability to administer acute HAE treatment

Feet

  • Difficulty walking or running
  • Trouble fitting into shoes

BRADYKININ IS A PROTEIN FOUND IN THE BLOOD THAT

In HAE ATTACKS

If there is too much bradykinin in the body, it may result in an HAE attack

HAE is typically passed down from parent to child, but not always. Not everyone with a family history of HAE will get it, and sometimes people can have it even if no one else in their family does. People with HAE have a defect with the gene that makes an enzyme called C1 esterase inhibitor. As a result, too much bradykinin is produced, which can cause sudden swelling.

Overproduction of bradykinin

HAE attacks

if not treated

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References

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