What is HAE?
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder that causes repeated episodes of swelling and pain in different parts of the body. It is thought that only 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000 people in the entire world have HAE.
HAE is called hereditary because it usually runs in families. If one parent has HAE, each child will have a 50% risk of inheriting the condition. If a child does not inherit the disease, he or she will not pass it on to future generations.
Symptoms
HAE can cause painful and sudden swelling in any part of the body. These HAE attacks can happen without warning and last for days. The pain and swelling of an attack can be disabling, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks. Living with HAE can also be physically and emotionally challenging.
HAE attacks can occur in any part of the body, but common swelling locations include:
- Abdomen
- Face
- Throat
- Feet
- Hands
- Genitals
