Hemophilia is an inherited blood disorder wherein the blood does not clot properly. The signs of the condition vary from one person to another. It is crucial to know the symptoms of hemophilia and treatment methods you can avail of, as neglecting it can lead to dangerous consequences. The treatment depends on the severity of disorder, which is graded as mild, moderate or severe, based on factor levels.

Excessive bleeding is one of the common signs of this disease. The bleeding can occur externally or internally and given below are some of the signs of external and internal bleeding to watch out for.

Signs of external bleeding

  • Frequent and hard to stop nosebleeds
  • Bleeding of the mouth and gums after losing a tooth
  • Heavy bleeding from minor cuts or large or deep bruises
  • Bleeding from vaccinations
  • Blood in urine or stool

Signs of internal bleeding
With a single bump on the head, people with severe hemophilia can experience bleeding in the brain. The signs include:

  • Prolonged and painful headache
  • Vomiting
  • Double vision
  • Sleepiness or tiredness
  • Sudden weakness
  • Seizures

Bleeding in the joints and swelling are another sign of internal bleeding. The bleeding often affects the knees, elbows, and ankles and can make them swollen and painful to move.

Hemophilia treatment
Though there is no cure for hemophilia, people suffering from the disease can reduce the risk of excessive bleeding with proper treatment. Recognizing the symptoms and knowing the possible treatment methods for hemophilia is important to limit damage to the body. The following are the different treatments one can avail.

  • Replacement therapy
    This therapy is also called preventive or prophylactic therapy. The process involves supplying the missing clotting factors to the patient from an external source. It can also be administered on a regular schedule at home to prevent bleeding episodes. Some complications of this therapy include the development of antibodies against an external clotting factor, which can cause many clinical issues.
  • Demand therapy
    This therapy is given only when the bleeding becomes uncontrollable. It is less intensive than replacement therapy.
  • Prescription hormone
    The man-made hormone known as desmopressin can be given as an injection into the vein or as a nasal spray, which can help prevent clots from breaking down.
  • Medications
    If you have mild hemophilia, doctor can prescribe medicated drugs such as aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid. These medications can slowdown the breakdown of clotting factors in the blood.
  • Physical therapy
    In a person with hemophilia, joints are damaged most often due to internal bleeding. In such a case, physical therapy can help ease the swelling and pain.

People with this condition can lead a healthy life if they take the necessary precautions to manage the condition better, and signs of hemophilia are recognized early enough to opt for timely treatment.