Back toUpdated on October 22, 2024
Talking to your doctor about HAE can be difficult. Dr. Jennifer Caudle offers tips on how to make the process easier.
Transcript
Hi. I'm Dr. Jennifer Caudle, and I'm going to help you find the words for talking to your doctor about hereditary angioedema or HAE.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Now, remember, the more open and honest
you are with your doctor, the better. But if you're not sure what questions to ask your doctor about HAE, here are a few.
Now, it's kind of obvious, but the first thing to do is to make sure your doctor is familiar with HAE and how to deal with it.
It's pretty rare, and many doctors don't actually have experience treating it. This can cause problems getting appropriate assistance
and lead to, say, unnecessary procedures. If your doctor is unfamiliar, ask them to recommend specialists who can help you.
You may need to see more than one. Now, you should ask your doctor about what bodily signs and signals to look out for before an HAE attack.
This can help you be prepared in case you have one. HAE episodes can sometimes be life threatening, so talk to your doctor about what to do in those situations
and make an "in case of emergency" plan together. You should ask about methods to identify your triggers so you
can avoid them in the future. And see if there are any lifestyle changes you can make to better manage HAE
and reduce the frequency of episodes. Now, HAE is not curable, but there are plenty of medications that can help.
Talk to your health care providers about your options for preventative treatment and treatment for managing episodes. You should also ask about what, if any,
side effects can be expected and what the next steps in treatment are so you're fully prepared. Now, since bodily trauma of all kinds
can trigger episodes for women and people looking to become pregnant, talk about managing your HAE while
expecting. Birth control can be tricky, so you may need to discuss alternate forms of contraception. You might also want to speak with your doctor
about who else in your life should know about your condition. For example, you should let your dentist know since dental procedures can cause mouth or throat swelling.
Close relatives-- your parents, your siblings, your children-- should also know about your HAE, too, as they should be screened for the condition themselves.
Remember, HAE is hereditary. This can help prevent them from suffering an attack or even save their lives.
Early diagnosis is critical when it comes to HAE. Finally, living with HAE can take an emotional and mental
toll. You can also ask your doctor about finding mental health support should you feel that you need it. Remember, your doctor is an amazing resource
and is there to help you feel better. Be open and honest with them. Together, you can get your HAE under control.
