Rapid swelling of the deep layers of the skin due to transient vascular leakage of serous fluid.

Symptoms of Angio-oedema

The following features are indicative of Angio-oedema:
  • swelling or puffiness of the tissue
  • stretched or shiny skin
  • skin that retains a dimple after being pressed
  • increased abdominal size
It is possible that Angio-oedema shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Angio-oedema

The following are the most common causes of Angio-oedema:
  • sitting or staying in one position for too long
  • eating too much salty food
  • premenstrual signs and symptoms
  • pregnancy

Other Causes of Angio-oedema

The following are the less common causes of Angio-oedema:
  • congestive heart failure
  • kidney disease
  • kidney damage
  • weakness or damage to veins in the legs
  • inadequate lymphatic system

Risk Factors for Angio-oedema

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Angio-oedema:
  • pregnancy
  • usage of high blood pressure medications
  • intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • estrogens intake
  • certain diabetic medications
  • heart failure
  • liver disease
  • kidney disease

Prevention of Angio-oedema

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Angio-oedema. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • Avoid known triggers including foods, medications and temperature extremes
  • Keep a food and symptom diary to avoid reaction

Occurrence of Angio-oedema

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Angio-oedema cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very rare between 1K - 10K cases

Common Age Group

Angio-oedema most commonly occurs in the following age group:
  • Aged between 20-50 years

Common Gender

Angio-oedema can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Angio-oedema

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Angio-oedema:
  • Physical exam: To determine the underlying cause of the edema
  • Blood electrolyte levels: To determine an overall picture of the body's chemical balance and metabolism
  • Echocardiography: To create pictures of the heart
  • ECG: To record the electrical activity of the heart
  • Kidney function tests: To evaluate how well the kidneys are working
  • Liver function tests: To evaluate how well the liver is working
  • Urinalysis: To detect and measure the compounds that pass through the urine
  • X-rays: To see the air and fluid containing areas

Doctor for Diagnosis of Angio-oedema

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Angio-oedema:
  • Cardiologist, Dermatologist

Complications of Angio-oedema if untreated

Yes, Angio-oedema causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Angio-oedema is left untreated:
  • increasingly painful swelling
  • difficulty walking
  • stiffness
  • stretched skin
  • increased risk of infection in the swollen area
  • decreased blood circulation
  • decreased elasticity of arteries, veins, joints and muscles
  • increased risk of skin ulcers

Procedures for Treatment of Angio-oedema

The following procedures are used to treat Angio-oedema:
  • Drainage tube surgery: To remove pus, blood or other fluids

Self-care for Angio-oedema

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Angio-oedema:
  • Exercise: Helps in pumping the excess fluid back to heart
  • Elevate affected body part: Helps in treating the condition
  • Reduce salt intake: Helps preventing edema from worsening

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Angio-oedema

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Angio-oedema:
  • Masage therapy: Helps in moving the excess fluid out of the affected area
  • Muscle movement: To help pump the excess fluid back toward heart
  • Compression: Wear compression stockings, sleeves or gloves to to prevent further swelling

Time for Treatment of Angio-oedema

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Angio-oedema to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 6 months - 1 year

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Angio-oedema.

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