Hemophilia |
Overview Hemophilia is an inherited disorder in which blood does not clot properly. As a result those with the condition may bleed for a longer time than others following an injury or accident. They also may bleed internally especially in the joints and into tissues and muscles. The condition is life threatening if bleeding occurs in a vital organ especially the brain. Hemophilia usually occurs only in males the most common form affecting about 1 in every 10000. That's about 2500 Canadians at any given time. A less common form affects another 500 people in Canada. Causes People born with hemophilia are missing or have a low level of a protein needed for normal blood clotting or blood coagulation. About 9 out of 10 people with hemophilia have type A which means a protein needed for clotting (factor VIII) is low or missing. People with type B are also missing a protein needed for clotting this one known as factor IX. These proteins or "clotting factors" normally help fragments of blood cells coagulate (clot) to block the flow of blood when you are cut or blood vessels are damaged. Symptoms Symptoms will vary according to the severity of your hemophilia. These are some of the more common ones:
If you have severe hemophilia blood can accumulate inside organs muscles and tissues which in some cases can be life-threatening. Treatment If you are bleeding the best treatment is an immediate intravenous infusion of the missing blood factor. While you may be able to administer this yourself uncontrollable bleeding will have to be treated in a hospital. Prevention There is no way to prevent hemophilia. However one may be able to limit bleeding by avoiding sports and other activities which increase your risk of becoming cut or injured. You should also not take any medications such as aspirin which may contribute to bleeding. If your hemophilia is severe your doctor may prescribe regular preventative doses of clotting factor. |