Understanding Hemophilia

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Description

Hemophillia is a rare bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally. Hemophillia is usually inherited and people born with it have little or no clotting factor (a protein needed for normal blood clotting). These proteins work together with platelets to help the blood clot. When blood vessels are injured, clotting factors help platelets stick together to plug cuts and breaks on the vessels. Hemophillia usually occurs in males with about 1 in every 5 000 males being born with the disease each year. A hemophiliac does not bleed more intensely than a person without it but can bleed for a much longer time. In some severe cases, continuous bleeding occurs after minor trauma or can even happen spontaneously.They may also bleed inside their body(internally), especially in the knees, ankles, and elbows. The bleeding can damage organs and tissues and may be life threatening. There are two main types of hemophilia: A and B. People born with type A are missing or have low levels of clotting factor VIII (1 in 5 000 males). People born with type B are missing or have low levels of clotting factor IX (1 in 20 000 males). About 8 out of 10 people who have hemophillia have type A. The greatest concern for both types is deep internal bleeding and bleeding into joints. Hemophilia is a life long disease, but with proper treatment and self-care, most people maintain an active productive lifestyle.

Causes

Hemophillia is caused by a defect in one of the genes that determines how the body makes blood clotting factor VIII or IX. These genes are located on the X chromosomes. Females have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y. Only the X chromosome carries the genes related to clotting factors. A male who has...

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“Future Therapies” www.hemophilia.org. National Hemophilia Foundation, 2006. Web. 3 January 2014.

“History of Hemophilia” www.hemophilia-information.com. Homecare for the Cure, 2013. Web. 4 January 2014.

“History of Bleeding Disorders” www.hemophilia.org. National Hemophilia Foundation, 2006. Web. 4 January 2014.

“History of Hemophilia” www.hemophilia.in. 15 March 2013. Web. 4 January 2014.

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