Introduction
Hemophilia is a rare genetic disorder where the clotting process does not occur naturally due to reduced proteins called clotting factors. It is treated by regularly replacing the deficit clotting factors. People affected by hemophilia tend to bleed more than ordinary people. The clotting time is increased due to reduced clotting factors.
What Are the Symptoms of Hemophilia?
Depending on the level of clotting factors, the signs and symptoms vary. If there is a mild reduction in the clotting factors, bleeding usually occurs after a trauma or surgery; if there is an increased reduction, the person may bleed easily. Spontaneous bleeding includes
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Excessive and continuous bleeding from a cut, injury, or dental treatment, where they bleed unusually long.
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Usually, large bruises occur, a sign of bleeding under the skin.
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The person may bleed even after vaccination.
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Unusual bleeding occurs in the nose without any cause.
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Bleeding during urination.
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In infants, unexplainable irritation is caused.
Other Severe Symptoms Are
Joint Pain-
In the case of severe hemophilia, internal bleeding occurs in the knees, ankles, and shoulders when the joint aches and swells.
Bleeding in the Brain-
For people with severe hemophilia, a small bump in the head may cause bleeding inside the head. It is a rare case, but it is highly complicated. The symptoms include
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Pain and long-term headache.
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Continuous vomiting.
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Lethargy, double vision, weakness, or convulsions.
What Are Hemophilia Signs and Symptoms in Children?
Unusual Bleeding-
Babies or toddlers bleed from the mouth after a usual injury, like bumping the mouth over a toy.
Swallowed Lumps:
Toddlers usually develop large round lumps when they bump their heads.
Denial to Crawl or Walk:
These symptoms may be expected in babies with internal muscle or joint bleeding. They may form bruises in some parts, which may be swollen and cause touch pain.
Hematomas:
Hematomas are masses of dry blood present under the skin of toddlers, which may be developed after an injection.
What Are the Causes of Hemophilia?
Certain specific genes develop clotting factors; in the case of inherited hemophilia, the average clotting factor responsible for clot formation is mutated or changed by the gene caring instruction. The mutated gene may result in abnormal or inadequate clotting factors; these are proteins interacting with the cells known as platelets to form clots. Hemophilia usually occurs when there are reduced clotting proteins.
What Is Congenital Hemophilia?
Hemophilia is an inherited disorder, meaning the person is born with the disorder. Congenital hemophilia is classified by the clotting factor that is reduced.
What Is Acquired Hemophilia?
It is called acquired hemophilia when a person is affected by it without any family history. It is usually caused when the immune system attacks the 8 or 9 clotting factors. It is related to-
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Pregnancy.
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Autoimmune condition.
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Reactions of the drug.
What Are the Types of Hemophilia?
There are three types of hemophilia:
Hemophilia A-
It is caused due to deficiency of clotting factor 8 (factor VIII), the most common type. 10 in every 100,000 are affected by this type.
Hemophilia B-
When there is not enough clotting factor 9, hemophilia B occurs. 3 in every 100,000 are affected by this type.
Hemophilia C-
It is a very rare type caused by a deficiency of factor 11.
How Is Hemophilia Inherited?
In most common hemophilia, the defective gene is present in the X chromosomes. Every person has a set of chromosomes from the mother and father. Females inherit two X chromosomes, each from each parent. Males inherit an X chromosome from the mother and a Y chromosome from the father. Generally, males are affected. It is passed from the mother to the son through one of the genes from the mother. Women with faulty genes are the carriers who show no signs and symptoms.
What Are the Complications of Hemophilia?
Internal Bleeding-
Swelling of the limbs occurs due to severe bleeding; this swelling may cause numbness or pain in the nerves due to pressure. It could be life-threatening, depending on where the internal bleeding occurs.
Thorax or Neck Bleeding-
Bleeding in the thorax or neck causes difficulties in breathing.
Joint Damage-
Damage to joints may occur due to frequent internal bleeding in the joints, which causes pressure and pain. When left untreated, it may result in arthritis or joint destruction.
Infection-
As the clotting factors used to treat hemophilia are taken from the donor's blood, there is a high chance of infections such as hepatitis C, which can be prevented through a screening test.
Adverse Reactions-
In the case of some severe hemophilia, the immune system reacts against the clotting factors provided to treat hemophilia, which in turn reduces the action of the clotting factor, making the treatment less effective.
How Is the Rate of Hemophilia Determined?
People with 5 percent to 30 percent of usual clotting factors will have mild hemophilia. People with 1 percent to 5 percent of common clotting factors will have moderated hemophilia, whereas those with less than 1 percent will have severe hemophilia.
How Is Hemophilia Diagnosed?
Hemophilia is diagnosed by testing for gene mutation. The doctors may look into the affected person’s family to determine the type of hemophilia disorder. If the gene mutation is confirmed, the person is recommended a specific medication or solution which reduces the bleeding and enhances clot formation.
How Is Hemophilia Treated?
Hemophilia is treated by increasing the clotting factor levels or by replacing the deficit clotting factor. Only people with a severe clotting disorder will undergo replacement therapy, where human plasma concentrates or lab-made clotting factors are provided. People with mild or moderate hemophilia who undergoes transplant need replacement of the clotting factor. People are recommended to take antifibrinolytics, which prevent the breaking of the clot formed.
How Does Homeopathy Help Treat Hemophilia?
Homeopathy helps the individual affected by hemophilia by enhancing the body's response to the injury by faster wound healing, which reduces the time of wound healing. Homeopathic medicine reduces the frequency of bleeding and increases the body's resistance to other hazardous conditions caused by the deficient factor.
What Are the Homeopathic Medicines Recommended to Treat Hemophilia?
Arnica-
It treats hemorrhages caused by injuries, falls, or blows.
Carbo Veg-
Hemorrhage from any mucous surface characterized by blueness or coldness, where the person faints easily and is weak.
Lachesis-
Hemorrhagic tendency with a bluish or purplish appearance.
Millefolium-
Unusual nosebleed, hemorrhoids, or hemoptysis.
Phosphorous-
Chills, blood discharge, and hematogenous.
What Are the Treatment Complications of Hemophilia?
People who undergo replacement therapy of clotting factors may develop antibodies against the clotting factors that control bleeding. Doctors use an immune tolerance induction technique, which involves clotting factors to bring down the inhibitor level. It is a long-term treatment where it may take months to years.
Conclusion
Hemophilia is a clotting disorder usually inherited and characterized by usual long-term bleeding due to a deficit of clotting factors or proteins. Usually, the males are affected while the females are the carriers. A significant complication of hemophilia is internal bleeding which may occur in the knees, shoulders, or ankles and results in the damage of the organs or tissues. Treatment involves replacing the collating factors in case of severe hemophilia, which enhances clot formation.
