HAE and college life: How to manage flare-ups on campus
Starting college is an exciting transition. If you have hereditary angioedema (HAE), it’s also natural to feel nervous about managing your condition in a new and unpredictable environment.
While managing angioedema at university may feel intimidating, planning ahead will help you navigate college life more confidently. With the right support and preparation, you can have a successful college experience and thrive while living with HAE.
Registering with student disability services
Colleges and universities are required to provide accommodations for students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Unlike elementary, middle, and high schools, however, colleges generally do not identify students who may need accommodations. Instead, it becomes your responsibility to disclose your disability and request support.
You might need medical documentation to receive formal accommodations, so consider requesting a letter or other records from your healthcare provider before leaving for school.
Getting accommodations often begins by registering with your school’s student disability services. Staff members can help you establish a formal accommodations plan, connect you with helpful resources, explain campus health services for HAE, and discuss the best ways to communicate your needs to professors and other campus personnel.
Depending on your situation, you might also choose to:
- speak with the mailroom staff if you receive medications by mail
- contact your school’s health center to discuss your care needs
- identify the nearest emergency department and make sure you know where to go if an attack occurs
The US Hereditary Angioedema Association offers resources for students transitioning to college that can help you prepare and stay organized.
Educating roommates and RAs
You may choose to tell people you’ll spend time with regularly, such as roommates and residence advisors (RAs), about your HAE and any emergency plans. How much information you share is entirely up to you.
Sharing details about your condition in advance ensures everyone knows what to do. You may want to share:
- frequent triggers that may contribute to attacks
- signs that may help someone recognize an attack
- ways others can help during an attack
- where you keep your on-demand medication
- your emergency contact information
Having these conversations before an emergency occurs can help everyone feel more prepared.
Navigating the dining hall, stress, and other triggers
College can be stressful, and managing college stress and swelling may present additional challenges if you have HAE. Stress and fatigue are common triggers for many people living with the condition.
Some strategies that can help manage stress and fatigue include:
- maintaining a consistent sleep schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same times whenever possible.
- seeking academic support: Tutoring services and a regular study schedule may help reduce stress.
- talking with your professors: You may be able to request flexibility with deadlines if HAE symptoms interfere with coursework.
- exploring alternative housing options: A private room or off-campus housing may help if sleep disruptions are affecting your health.
- meeting with a mental health professional: Counseling services may help you manage stress and adjust to college life.
HAE food triggers are also relatively common, although they vary considerably from person to person.
If you know certain foods trigger attacks, consider speaking with dining hall staff about ingredients and meal preparation. You also might want to explore allergy accommodations or request housing with cooking facilities if preparing your own meals feels more manageable.
Other common HAE triggers include infections and physical activity. If getting around campus becomes difficult because of HAE symptoms, your school’s accessibility office can help identify transportation options. Additionally, if viral illnesses tend to trigger your attacks, you can choose to wear a mask during periods when respiratory illnesses are circulating.
Because HAE triggers vary widely, consider discussing your known triggers and prevention strategies with your healthcare provider before leaving for school.
Managing medication storage in dorms
Before moving into a dorm, review the storage requirements for your HAE medications. Some treatments require refrigeration or specific temperature conditions.
Depending on your treatment plan, you may need to:
- request a dorm-room refrigerator if your medication requires refrigeration
- obtain documentation from disability or accessibility services if refrigerators are not normally permitted
- keep a sharps disposal container in your room if you use injectable medications
- ask campus staff about appropriate disposal procedures for full sharps containers
Always keep your on-demand treatment readily accessible so you can use it quickly if an attack occurs.
While preparing for college with HAE may feel overwhelming at first, planning ahead can help you feel more confident and independent. Knowing where to find support, understanding your triggers, and having an emergency plan can make it easier to focus on classes, friendships, and new experiences while managing HAE.
Angioedema News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
