Hives: Blood Is Leaking

GOOD HEALTH Dr. Paul Donohue

September 30, 1993

Dear Dr. Donohue: I had a bad case of hives, which my doctor calls angioedema. My throat swelled with it, and I thought I was going to have a breathing loss. Can you discuss angioedema hives? - L.O.K.

Dear L.O.K.: Angioedema (AN-jee-oh-eh-DEE-mah) is a deep form of hives. Most hives are right at the skin surface, causing the characteristic welts. Angioedema hives are a deeper problem. The cause is a leakage of tiny blood vessels.

What makes angioedema insidious is its tendency to occur in the linings of the throat or of the digestive tract. Respiratory and digestive symptoms can be dramatic.

Often, an allergy can be part of angioedema, as with regular hives. Check foods such as shellfish or nuts. One form of angioedema is hereditary.

Besides searching for a cause, you would be wise to take preventive steps. Ask your doctor for an emergency adrenalin injection kit. An angioedema attack might respond to antihistamines, which you also might keep on hand.

Dear Dr. Donohue: I have osteoporosis. How is that determined by the doctor? I am 71. There are times that the pain is so intense that I can hardly stand. I would be grateful for any information. I had ovaries removed at 43. - Mrs. R.M.

Dear Mrs. R.M.: Sometimes, osteoporosis is so evident that you can tell by listening and observing. The patient may appear bent over, an indication of compression fractures of the spine. That can cause a shrinkage from the collapse of bone structure and resulting pain.

For sure, pain is a cardinal symptom of such vertebra collapse. If there is doubt, then X-rays show the typical picture of osteoporotic bone. Other detection techniques involve photon absorptiometry. A CAT scan also can be revealing.

You say you had ovary removal at age 43. Early menopause through such surgery or normal processes can set a woman up for osteoporosis. In either case, some prime years of estrogen production have been canceled out.

Get some clarification from your doctor. If you have osteoporotic bones, you need calcium supplementation, and perhaps hormone therapy.


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