Understanding hemophilia
written by raquo
at Monday, November 16, 2009
Hemophilia is a blood disorder that is linked to the X-chromosome and in some cases it occurs because of genetic mutation. In hemophilia, there is the blood clotting factors do not work as they should and this results in the blood not clotting properly, and even small injuries can be fatal or debilitating at the least.
Usually the mother is the carrier of this genetic disorder and she passes it on to her son. If a man is afflicted with hemophilia, his daughter will be the carrier while his sons will not get the disease. This is because hemophilia is linked to the X-chromosome and the disease is passed from the mother through her X-chromosome.
There are two types of hemophilia -- Hemophilia A and Hemophilia B. Hemophilia A is the most common type of hemophilia and in this type of hemophilia factor VIII, a protein required for the clotting process, is lacking. If you suffer from hemophilia A, small cuts and bruises are not major problems. Hemophilia B is caused by the lack of factor IX, which is a different blood clotting factor and rarer than hemophilia A.
Hemophilia can range from mild to severe. The mild version is not life-threatening.
However, in moderate hemophilia, patients can end up bleeding for reason at all. While severe hemophilia is also characterized by spontaneous bleeding, usually into the joints and muscles. Any form of hemophilia does not mean that the person bleeds excessively. It just means that it is a condition where the bleeding takes longer to stop which can be dangerous especially if bleeding takes place into muscles and joints.
People with hemophilia are usually given the missing blood clotting factors to stop the bleeding. However, in some cases infusion is given on a regular basis to ensure that the clotting factors are optimum levels constantly.
By : Pauline Go
Usually the mother is the carrier of this genetic disorder and she passes it on to her son. If a man is afflicted with hemophilia, his daughter will be the carrier while his sons will not get the disease. This is because hemophilia is linked to the X-chromosome and the disease is passed from the mother through her X-chromosome.
There are two types of hemophilia -- Hemophilia A and Hemophilia B. Hemophilia A is the most common type of hemophilia and in this type of hemophilia factor VIII, a protein required for the clotting process, is lacking. If you suffer from hemophilia A, small cuts and bruises are not major problems. Hemophilia B is caused by the lack of factor IX, which is a different blood clotting factor and rarer than hemophilia A.
Hemophilia can range from mild to severe. The mild version is not life-threatening.
However, in moderate hemophilia, patients can end up bleeding for reason at all. While severe hemophilia is also characterized by spontaneous bleeding, usually into the joints and muscles. Any form of hemophilia does not mean that the person bleeds excessively. It just means that it is a condition where the bleeding takes longer to stop which can be dangerous especially if bleeding takes place into muscles and joints.
People with hemophilia are usually given the missing blood clotting factors to stop the bleeding. However, in some cases infusion is given on a regular basis to ensure that the clotting factors are optimum levels constantly.
By : Pauline Go
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