Definition

Noun: A medical condition characterized by the sudden, recurrent appearance of large, well-defined areas of swelling beneath the skin or mucous membranes. The swelling is caused by fluid accumulation (edema) and typically resolves within 24 hours. It is often, but not exclusively, an allergic reaction.

Usage and Examples

• As a subject:
• As an object:
• With modifiers:
• In context:

Advanced Usage and Notes

• Clinical Context: In medical terminology, angioedema is distinguished from simple hives (urticaria), which affect the skin's surface. Angioedema involves deeper layers of skin and tissue.
• Pathophysiology: The swelling results from the dilation and increased permeability of blood vessels (capillaries and venules), allowing fluid to leak into surrounding tissues.
• Common Triggers: Frequently mentioned triggers include specific foods (e.g., nuts, shellfish), medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs), insect stings, or environmental factors.

Variants and Related Words

• Angioneurotic edema: An older, largely synonymous term for angioedema, historically implying a nervous system component, which is now considered less accurate for most cases.
• Quincke's edema: Another historical synonym, named after the physician Heinrich Quincke.

Synonyms

• Giant urticaria: (Medical) Highlights its relation to allergic hives but emphasizes the larger, deeper swelling.
• Subcutaneous edema: (Descriptive) A general term for swelling under the skin, of which angioedema is a specific type.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Hereditary angioedema (HAE): A specific, inherited form caused by a deficiency of a protein called C1 inhibitor.
• Drug-induced angioedema: Specifies the cause as a pharmaceutical agent.
• Idiopathic angioedema: Used when the cause of the swelling is unknown.
• Episode of angioedema / Angioedema attack: Refers to a single occurrence or flare-up of the condition.
• Angioedema of the face/lips/tongue: Specifies the commonly affected anatomical sites. Swelling of the tongue or throat is particularly dangerous as it can obstruct the airway.

Noun

1. recurrent large circumscribed areas of subcutaneous edema; onset is sudden and it disappears within 24 hours; seen mainly in young women, often as an allergic reaction to food or drugs