Triggers of HAE Attacks and What Happens in the Body during HAE Attacks
There is no one specific trigger that causes an HAE attack. However, a few triggers may be linked to this condition. The most common ones include:
– Trauma, such as an injury or wound
– Happy, mental, and emotional stress
– Infections, such as flu, colds, or viral diseases
– Hormonal changes due to menstruation, puberty, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy, contraceptive medication, breastfeeding, or menopause
– Repetitive tasks, such as shoveling, hammering, or typing
– Certain drugs or medications, such as ibuprofen and ACE inhibitors
– Surgical or medical procedures [5]
In people with HAE, there is a deficiency of C1 inhibitor or this protein does not function properly. As a result, a sequence of effects may happen and lead to an attack. First, the kallikrein enzyme in the bloodstream becomes uncontrolled. This results in the production of kininogen and an excessive amount of bradykinin. When there is too much bradykinin, the walls of blood vessels may leak fluids into tissues. This causes an accumulation of fluids and the typical swelling in those with HAE. [6]
