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: