Excessive bleeding is the symptom of hemophilia, also known as the Bleeder’s disease. Here is detailed information on the signs and symptoms of this disease.
Hemophilia, also known as the bleeder’s disease, is a rare congenital disease. It is hereditary and occurs due to congenital defect in the blood clotting. It should be noted that only men suffer from this disease, and women are its carriers. In earlier times, as there was no treatment available, a person suffering from it often died. However, today there are treatment methods available that can help in treating the disease. But, even today, there is no permanent cure for this rare disease.
An Overview on Hemophilia
There are three types of hemophilia; A, B, and C. They are differentiated according to the deficient clotting factor. Hemophilia A is the most common type and is caused due to deficiency of clotting factor VIII (hemophilia B is caused due to deficiency of clotting factor IX, whereas hemophilia C occurs when clotting factor XI is deficient). It is a genetic disorder. Its inheritance is in a crisscross pattern, i.e. it is inherited from an infected person to his grandson via his daughter (in other words, from father to his grandson, through the daughter). A woman always remains a carrier of hemophilia and never the sufferer.
Symptoms
Apart from the above mentioned ones, the disease is classified as mild, moderate, and severe, according to its severity. Mild hemophilia is not diagnosed until the person bruises himself due to an accident or undergoes a surgery. On the other hand, moderate and severe hemophilia can be identified at an early stage. Bleeding, specially in the joints, is the most important symptom of this disease
Mild Hemophilia
- Joint pain
- Irritation in joints
- Tingling sensation in joints
Moderate Hemophilia
- Tender joints
- Stiffness in joints
- Severe joint pain
- Pain during joint movement
Severe Hemophilia
- Large bruises
- Unexplained bleeding in gums/nose
- Blood in urine/feces
- Tightness in joints
- Heavy bleeding from minor cuts
Symptoms of Intracranial Hemorrhage
Internal bleeding is very common sign of this disease. People suffering from severe hemophilia suffer from internal bleeding in the brain. This is known as intracranial hemorrhage. The symptoms include:
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Convulsion
- Blurred vision
- Lack of coordination
- Stiffness in neck
- Confusion
- Clumsiness
- Inability to talk
- Behavioral changes
- Seizures
Diagnosis
Pregnant women, having a history of hemophilia, should undergo prenatal tests like the hemophilia gene test to diagnose the disease. She should also undergo CVS (chorionic villus sampling) test for the same. If a person bleeds excessively during any surgery, due to any cut, wound, bruise, tooth removal, circumcision, the doctor suspects hemophilia. He may advise the person to undergo blood tests to confirm hemophilia and its type. Complications of this disorder include blood infection, bone destruction, and even death.
Treatment
Nowadays, as there is treatment available, the mortality rate has reduced substantially. Clotting factor replacement is one of the effective treatment methods. If the person is suffering from a mild hemophilia, the clotting factors are replaced only when the person starts unnatural and uncontrolled bleeding. It is also administered when bleeding is anticipated, like during any surgery, etc. On the other hand, in case of severe hemophilia, the clotting factors need to be replaced regularly.
There is neither a cure nor any preventive measure available. But, with the advancement in medicinal science, this disease can be effectively treated. With the help of treatment methods and certain precautions, a hemophiliac can live a normal and active life!
Disclaimer: This article is meant for informative purposes only. It is not to be used as a substitute for doctor’s advice.
