24 January 2025

Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a rare disorder that occurs in the human circulatory system, where the blood in the body cannot clot or coagulate properly.

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder. This means that someone who suffers from hemophilia has a possibility of passing on this blood disorder to their children.

Based on the severity level, hemophilia is classified into three types:

• Mild hemophilia occurs when the blood clotting factor level in the body of the sufferer is in the range of 5 - 40 percent.

• Moderate hemophilia occurs when the blood clotting factor level in the body of the sufferer is in the range of 1 - 5 percent.

• Severe hemophilia occurs when the blood clotting factor level in the body of the sufferer is less than 1 percent.

Causes of Hemophilia
In general, the cause of hemophilia is a gene mutation on the X chromosome, which leads to insufficient protein needed for blood clotting. Hemophilia is more commonly experienced by men because they only have one X chromosome, while women, who have two X chromosomes, are more often carriers of this gene mutation.

Symptoms of Hemophilia
The main symptom of hemophilia is the difficulty of blood clotting when a wound occurs on the skin surface.
Some symptoms of hemophilia include:

• Tendency to bruise easily on the skin.

• Difficulty stopping bleeding when injured or having a nosebleed.

• Frequent bloody stools.

• Pain and swelling in the knees and elbows, indicating bleeding in the joints.

• Prone to tingling sensations.

• Frequent bleeding in the mouth and gums.

Treatment of Hemophilia
The treatment for hemophilia is prophylactic therapy. The doctor will inject the appropriate blood clotting factor based on the needs of the hemophilia sufferer to prevent bleeding.

How to Prevent Hemophilia
Pregnant women with a history of hemophilia can undergo thorough health check-ups during the first trimester. This way, any potential hemophilia disorders in the baby can be anticipated and detected as early as possible.

Here are some steps that hemophilia sufferers can take independently to prevent bleeding and serious complications:

• As much as possible, avoid heavy activities that can cause injury, such as weightlifting. If engaging in heavy activities, wear protective gear like helmets, elbow and knee pads, etc.

• Consume healthy and nutritious food. If eating fish, ensure that the fish is free of bones.

• Regularly undergo health check-ups.

• Hemophilia sufferers are still allowed to exercise, but it is recommended to do light exercises such as yoga, swimming, morning walks, and similar activities.

Therefore, hemophilia is a serious medical condition that requires medical attention from a healthcare professional.

Reviewed by: dr. Innosensius Ibnu Ishwara, M.K.K.

Source: Siloam Hospital Health Article

Photo: freepik.com