Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a disease that causes swelling with a fluid accumulation of tissues beneath the skin referred to as subcutaneous tissues. As the name indicates, HAE is genetically passed down through families. Patients suffering from this disease have been found to have a low concentration of essential protein (C1-INH) in their blood, or the C1-INH in their blood does not function well. 
Below are the eight most common signs and symptoms of hereditary angioedema

1. Swelling of the skin
Swelling of the skin is a condition also referred to as subcutaneous swelling. The severity of the swelling, its frequency of occurrence, and its location are variable. These swellings usually affect hands, feet, face, and genitals. Skin swelling with HAE may cause temporary body disfiguration and make it hard to hold objects and walk

2. Extreme fatigue
Extreme fatigue is a general lack of adequate energy to undertake daily activities. This symptom has a gradual onset with HAE patients, and is caused by poor blood supply to tissues and organs. The swollen tissues and swelling of the abdomen can also affect metabolism

3. Aches and tingling
Aches and tingling is a significant symptom with hereditary angioedema patients. Swelling of the subcutaneous tissue pushes against other sensitive body tissues, and this pressure is the leading cause of body aches and tingling. The tissue swelling also irritates the nerves, causing erratic nerve signals, thus causing the tingling sensation

4. Abdominal pain
Hereditary angioedema causes swelling in the stomach or the abdominal area. The swelling in the abdomen is the leading cause of abdominal pain in hereditary angioedema patients. This abdominal pain may be accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. The pain may also impede patients from regular activities and movement.

5. Hoarseness
Hoarseness is a symptom that is characterized by changes in pitch and the quality of the voice. The voices of patients with HAE may sound weak, raspy, rough, or harsh. This hoarseness is caused by injury or irritation of the vocal cords. Hereditary angioedema causes patients’ throats to swell, irritating the vocal cords, and affecting voice quality

6. Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath is caused by many factors affecting the lungs and the air passages or the blood vessels. In normal circumstances, healthy individuals breathe an average of 14 breaths per minute. Breath shortness due to airway swelling with HAE causes breathing to become rapid, as patients try to compensate for oxygen deficit in the blood

7. Swollen hands and feet
Accumulation of fluids in the subcutaneous tissues leads to the manifestation of swollen hands and feet. In more severe cases, patients with HAE may find it difficult to hold anything. Swollen feet may make walking difficult

8. Laryngeal edema
Laryngeal edema is swelling in the throat that may turn into a life-threatening experience. This swelling is less frequent than the skin and abdominal swelling. Few patients present these symptoms, but please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any constriction of the throat. In severe cases, this condition may fully obstruct the airways and lead to suffocation and death