The Answer to all your Questions
Patients Interest
Are there bleeding disorders that affect women and girls?
Yes, women and girls can also receive a diagnosis of hemophilia, although it's not common. Some females who carry the hemophilia gene, even though they're carriers, might have symptoms and experience bleeding. They could also be diagnosed with von Willebrand disease and a few other uncommon bleeding disorders, which can have symptoms that vary from mild to severe.
What are the signs and symptoms of a bleeding disorder?
Symptoms related to bleeding disorders can range from mild, like nosebleeds and excessive bruising, to more severe, such as chronic joint bleeding and heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), and even life-threatening conditions like intracranial and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeds. Bleeding can be initiated by an external event, like an injury, or occur spontaneously without an apparent cause.
The specific type of bleeding disorder a person has will influence the particular symptoms they may encounter.
Symptoms of bleeding disorders may include:
Easy bruising.
Bleeding gums.
Heavy bleeding from small cuts or dental work.
Unexplained nosebleeds.
Heavy menstrual bleeding.
Bleeding into joints.
Excessive bleeding following surgery.
If you're uncertain whether your symptoms align with an underlying bleeding disorder, it's advisable to schedule an appointment at a specialized healthcare facility dedicated to serving individuals with inheritable bleeding disorders.
Does my bleeding disorder affect what physical activities I can safely participate in?
Before participating in any physical activity, it's crucial to consult your Hemophilia Treatment Center care team or your physician, especially your physical therapist, for advice. This is particularly significant if you haven't engaged in physical activity for an extended period.
I am someone with a bleeding disorder about to undergo a surgical procedure. How can I prepare for it?
It is highly recommended to consult with a hematologist before undergoing surgery and to ensure communication between your surgical team and hematologist. This is particularly crucial for more complex procedures like cardiac surgeries, organ transplants, or significant obstetric procedures, as surgeries can pose greater risks for individuals with moderate to severe bleeding disorders.
What are causes of bleeding disorder?
Certain procedures or medical conditions can heighten the likelihood of developing acquired bleeding disorders, which may include:
- Blood transfusions
- Bowel diseases or surgical procedures involving the bowels
- Cancer
- Congenital or acquired heart diseases
- Hypothyroidism
- Immune disorders, encompassing autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- Infections
- Liver disease
- Lymphoproliferative disorders, like specific types of leukemia
- Pregnancy
- Postpartum bleeding, which can deplete the body's clotting factors rapidly
- Skin conditions
- Trauma or severe injuries to the brain or body
Furthermore, particular medical treatments can elevate the risk of bleeding disorders, including:
- Antibiotics
- Blood thinning medications, also referred to as anticoagulants, which aid in preventing blood clot formation within blood vessels
- Devices that enhance blood circulation, such as ventricular assist devices
- Interferon alpha, a medication used in treating certain cancer types
Surgeries, like heart surgeries employing heart-lung bypass machines, which may lead to acquired von Willebrand disease.
Which vitamin stops bleeding?
Vitamin K helps form clots and to stop bleeding.
Vitamin K is found mostly in green vegetables and some fruits. Green leafy vegetables such as collards, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage contain vitamin K. Some fruits such as kiwi, blackberries, and blueberries are also rich in vitamin K.
What are the types of hemophilia?
There are two main kinds of hemophilia: A and B, and a less common one known as hemophilia C. Each type is connected to a particular factor. In hemophilia A, there's the deficiency of factor VIII, in hemophilia B, it's factor IX, and in hemophilia C, it's factor XI.
Can hemophilia be acquired?
Acquired hemophilia is a rare yet serious bleeding disorder. It happens when the body produces antibodies that attack one of the blood clotting factors, often factor VIII (FVIII).
What food should you avoid if you have hemophilia?
Avoid eating high-fat fried products. Preferably you can choose baked or boiled food. It is better to use vegetable oils such as olive, soybean, and corn oils. Start including polyunsaturated fats, which are healthy for the functioning of the brain and the body.
What is the first aid you need when bleeding?
To begin with, stop the bleeding:
Use clean gauze, a bandage, or a tidy cloth to apply pressure. If blood seeps through, add another bandage and keep pressing. Raise the injured area to help reduce bleeding.
How do you live with hemophilia?
- Get an annual comprehensive checkup at a hemophilia treatment center.
- Get vaccinated—hepatitis A and B are preventable.
- Treat bleeds early and adequately.
- Exercise and maintain a healthy weight to protect your joints.
Get tested regularly for bloodborne infections.
What are the emergencies in hemophilia?
Patients with severe deficiency most commonly present in the first two years of life. Severe bleeding may include intracranial hemorrhage, retroperitoneal bleeding, large hematomas, bleeding within the chest or abdomen/pelvis, and subacute or delayed postpartum bleeding.
Can someone with hemophilia have a child?
If a mother carries the hemophilia gene, there's a possibility the baby may also have hemophilia. In families where hemophilia is already known or if there's been prenatal genetic testing confirming hemophilia, special tests can be arranged before the baby is born to check for hemophilia.
Parents/ Caregivers Interest
As a parent or caregiver of an individual with an inheritable bleeding disorder, what should I be aware of?
Please note that there are special healthcare centers designed to help people with inherited bleeding disorders known as hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs). These centers are part of a national network funded by the government to offer thorough and coordinated healthcare. Each HTC has a team that includes a hematologist, nurse, physical therapist, and social worker. To find the nearest HTC in Palestine, please get in touch with us using the contact form on this website.
What is the first aid of a hemophiliac patient?
To begin with, stop the bleeding:
Use clean gauze, a bandage, or a tidy cloth to apply pressure. If blood seeps through, add another bandage and keep pressing. Raise the injured area to help reduce bleeding.
Is hemophilia easily treated?
Currently, there's no cure for hemophilia, but there are medicines available. These medicines help prevent bleeding, allowing people with hemophilia to engage in most everyday activities, just like everyone else.
Is there pain in hemophilia?
When severe hemophilia leads to bleeding in muscles and joints, it often causes both immediate and chronic pain for patients.
What are the complications of hemophilia?
Hemophilia can result in:
- Bleeding within joints that can lead to chronic joint disease and pain.
- Bleeding in the head and sometimes in the brain which can cause long term problems, such as seizures and paralysis.
Death can occur if the bleeding cannot be stopped or if it occurs in a vital organ such as the brain.
What organ does hemophilia affect?
Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that runs in families and affects how blood clots. People with hemophilia can experience unexpected bleeding, even from minor injuries. If not managed properly, this ongoing internal bleeding can harm important organs like the brain and be life-threatening.
How does hemophilia affect daily life?
People with hemophilia often face challenges in their daily lives. These challenges commonly include trouble moving around, unexpected bleeding, pain, and uncertainties in daily activities, which can affect their choice of hobbies.
What is the main cause of death in hemophilia?
The most frequent reasons for passing away among hemophilia patients were bleeding inside the skull and cancer. The estimated average lifespan of people with hemophilia was 77 years, which is 6 years less than the average lifespan of men in the general population, which is typically 83 years.
Can hemophilia worsen?
As time passes, repeated bleeding into joints and muscles can lead to lasting issues like arthritis, persistent pain, and joint damage. These problems can affect balance and increase the risk of falling, which ultimately decreases the quality of life.
Does hemophilia get worse with age?
Different research has discovered that as patients with hemophilia get older, they face the usual challenges of aging, alongside the added complications of hemophilia, including joint bleeding. Obesity is also a concern for aging individuals with hemophilia, as it can exacerbate joint bleeds and lead to mobility problems.
Is hemophilia A lifetime?
For some individuals with hemophilia A, it means they'll need ongoing medical care to prevent excessive bleeding throughout their lives. Scientists are exploring innovative treatments like gene replacement or gene therapy that could significantly change how healthcare providers manage severe hemophilia A.
What are the mental effects of hemophilia?
Between chronic joint pain, frequent medical problems, and hospital visits, the bleeding disorders population is susceptible to mental health problems, including stress and depression. Taking care of the mind and spirit is as important as taking care of the body.
What are the emergencies in hemophilia?
Patients with severe deficiency most commonly present in the first two years of life. Severe bleeding may include intracranial hemorrhage, retroperitoneal bleeding, large hematomas, bleeding within the chest or abdomen/pelvis, and subacute or delayed postpartum bleeding.
Can someone with hemophilia have a child?
If a mother carries the hemophilia gene, there's a possibility the baby may also have hemophilia. In families where hemophilia is already known or if there's been prenatal genetic testing confirming hemophilia, special tests can be arranged before the baby is born to check for hemophilia.
Can hemophilia cause depression?
Study results indicate that anxiety and depression are common mental health issues among people with hemophilia. Researchers suggest that healthcare professionals should regularly check these individuals for anxiety and mood problems.
How can you reduce the risk of hemophilia?
Since hemophilia is a genetic condition that people are born with, there's no current method to prevent it. Therefore, scientists are continuously researching ways to halt the disease from being inherited by the next generation.