What is Hemophilia Disease, What are the Treatment Methods?

What is Hemophilia?

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood cannot clot normally due to a deficiency of clotting factors in the blood. This causes cuts on the body to bleed for longer than normal and in some cases can become life-threatening. **Hemophilia** is usually passed on genetically from parents to children.

Why Does Hemophilia Occur?

Hemophilia is caused by mutations in genes that code for clotting proteins. It is more common in men because hemophilia A and B are inherited in a recessive genetic pattern on the X chromosome. Women can be carriers. **Hemophilia A** is caused by Factor VIII deficiency, while **Hemophilia B** is associated with Factor IX deficiency.

What is Hemophilia A?

Hemophilia A is caused by a deficiency of Factor VIII and causes bleeding that lasts longer than in other people. There are three different types of Hemophilia A: mild, moderate and severe. Those with **mild hemophilia A** only bleed after serious injuries and surgeries, while those with **severe hemophilia A** may have spontaneous bleeding episodes in joints and muscles.

What is Hemophilia B?

Hemophilia B is associated with Factor IX deficiency and is also known as **Christmas disease**. It is more common in men because they have a single X chromosome. Women are usually carriers.

What are the Symptoms of Hemophilia?

Symptoms of hemophilia vary depending on the level of clotting factors. Those with severe hemophilia experience spontaneous bleeding, while those with mild hemophilia only experience excessive bleeding after injury or surgery. Common symptoms include: - Excessive nosebleeds - Excessive bleeding after surgery - Bleeding in joints and muscles - Prolonged bleeding.

How is Hemophilia Diagnosed?

Hemophilia usually occurs in people with a family history and is diagnosed through blood tests. DNA screening tests during pregnancy can help detect the disease.

What are the Treatment Methods for Hemophilia?

Replacement Therapy

Replacement therapy prevents bleeding episodes by replacing the missing clotting factors. This treatment is lifelong for people with hemophilia.

Desmopressin

Desmopressin is a hormone used in patients with mild to moderate hemophilia A. It helps to control bleeding by stimulating the production of Factor VIII.

Antifibrinolytic Drugs

Antifibrinolytic drugs support treatment by preventing the breakdown of clotting. They can be used in combination with replacement therapy.