Hereditary angioedema
Summary of Hereditary angioedema
Hereditary angioedema is a rare, autosomal dominantly inherited blood disorder that causes episodic attacks of swelling that may affect the face, extremities, genitals, gastrointestinal tract and upper airways. Episodes may be triggered by trauma, surgery, dental work, menstruation, some medications, viral illness and stress; however, this is not always readily determined. Hereditary angioedema may also be caused by C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency. This leads to unregulated activation of kallikrein and increased bradykinin.